Pictures

[Little Linguist]

Okay, I have no idea if this is the place for such a question: however I will give it a go.

Now, I was wondering. I know there is software like PhotoShop out there for improving pictures. (i.e. putting different backgrounds on the pictures, brightening them up, or whatever) I was curious if there were such a program for macs. Or any suggestions at all.

Please remember: I am a technological idiot. So please, if you would be so kind, use normal English (or German) when you answer. Jargon will probably go right over my head, and then I have to ask you to explain. And that's annoying for you.

Thanks so much in advance for taking the time to answer. :)

[Jack Flak]

Yes it's called Adobe Photoshop. It was designed for Macs in the 80s.

[Little Linguist]

Yes it's called Adobe Photoshop. It was designed for Macs in the 80s.

Oh, doh!!!! Okay, so if I get that program, I should be all set???

For example, instead of a plain background, I would like to have a beautiful background, like an open meadow. Would it be possible with such a program?

[Uberfuhrer]

Oh, doh!!!! Okay, so if I get that program, I should be all set???

For example, instead of a plain background, I would like to have a beautiful background, like an open meadow. Would it be possible with such a program?

Yes. But Photoshop isn't cheap -- how much are you willing to spend on such software?

[Little Linguist]

Yes. But Photoshop isn't cheap -- how much are you willing to spend on such software?

Gahhhhh it costs five billion euros. Okay, not really, but danggggg....

Does it matter what version I get? I mean, if I get a earlier (i.e. cheaper) version, will it do the same thing?

Or are there other programs that are just as good?

CS4 is like - whewwwwwwwwwww! :rolli:

[Uberfuhrer]

Photoshop Elements is like a very basic version of the program, though I don't know much about it aside from the fact that it's quite a bit cheaper.

[Aimahn]

I think it also depends on how frequently and extravagantly she wants to undertake these photo "projects". If its just simple editing I'm sure you could find some freeware on the internet. I just actually got this Picassa 2 from Google that serves my basic editing needs. Uberfuhrer from my understanding you're an artist so you would probably utilize those programs much more than I would guess Little linguist would.

[Little Linguist]

Well, yes, I guess you need to know that I'm not a professional graphic designer or anything of the sort. It would be more like a hobby just because, well, I would like to experiment in a creative way, and I'm terrible at drawing, so it would kind of be fun to do.

If there is freeware that could do the same thing, that would be great. I found some cheap, authentic versions of photoshop, but they are for students. :cry: Otherwise, I will probably have to dish out between 300-600 euros. DOH! Hmmmm....

[EffEmDoubleyou]

Photoshop Elements costs around $99 I think, and it has all the features you could ever want for amateur applications like the ones you describe.

[Uberfuhrer]

Uberfuhrer from my understanding you're an artist so you would probably utilize those programs much more than I would guess Little linguist would.

A few marker drawings in my profile does not make me an artist.

I haven't touched Photoshop since Version 5.5, and that was only casual. I just didn't get how to use it. Too much of a learning curve that I was too impatient with.

If I were going to manipulate a photo, I'd much rather direct someone else to do it.

[Jack Flak]

You're an artist, Uber, shut up.

[Little Linguist]

A few marker drawings in my profile does not make me an artist.

I haven't touched Photoshop since Version 5.5, and that was only casual. I just didn't get how to use it. Too much of a learning curve that I was too impatient with.

If I were going to manipulate a photo, I'd much rather direct someone else to do it.

Good point. But then I'd have to pay them, and I'd much rather do it myself - being a poor teacher 'n' all. :D

Hey, wow, Über, you have some really neat art work! Did you study art, or is it just a hobby?

[Aimahn]

hmm... yes I think finding a moderately priced software( Photoshop Elements apparently) would be your best bet. There are routes you could take to download those softwares with code generators but it is quite complex at least to explain(I'd need to get my S on and just do it myself, hard to explain).

It seems like you want to sort of build up at your own pace till you gain proficiency or at least are able to express yourself as you see fit so I would think it wise to invest in or at least research more robust software than most of the Freeware offered.

[Uberfuhrer]

Good point. But then I'd have to pay them, and I'd much rather do it myself - being a poor teacher 'n' all. :D

Not necessarily.

You can always threaten them with something and then they'll do it for free!

[Little Linguist]

Photoshop Elements costs around $99 I think, and it has all the features you could ever want for amateur applications like the ones you describe.

Hey, that's great!

Just out of curiosity, what does CS3/4 have that photoshop elements does not? If it is nothing that is all that great, then I think the elements would be good.

I did my research, but I honestly don't know if I need everything CS3/4 has to offer. I'm thinking no....

[Little Linguist]

Not necessarily.

You can always threaten to nuke their dog in the microwave and then they'll do it for free! :devil:

(But don't actually act upon that, because it's not nice to hurt dogs.)

Hahaha - I guess you think it's important to put that little caveat in there because I'm an ENFP, right? :D

[Little Linguist]

So with elements I could change the background (i.e. perform layering techniques)? Right? Or correct subtle errors?

[EffEmDoubleyou]

So with elements I could change the background (i.e. perform layering techniques)? Right? Or correct subtle errors?

Absolutely. Elements is basically Photoshop for "normal people". It supports layers, although the pro features of Photoshop are not included in Elements. Honestly, I have Photoshop CS2, and while I enjoy many of the features, there are a good deal of them that I have not explored and I still can do anything I have wanted to do. Elements is a very good value.

[Jack Flak]

I have Paint Shop Pro 9, couple years old, and I'm no pro so it does everything I'd ever want with photos. I think you can get that for Mac (Though a newer version, and I don't know how different). Would probably be cheaper than $100.

[Little Linguist]

I have Paint Shop Pro 9, couple years old, and I'm no pro so it does everything I'd ever want with photos. I think you can get that for Mac (Though a newer version, and I don't know how different). Would probably be cheaper than $100.

Hey, cool, thanks I'll have a peak at it! :D

[chattegris]

You can download a free trial of the program. You'll be able to use it for 30 days or so, then decide if you want to buy it.

Download Adobe PhotoShop CS3 10 Free Trial (http://www.soft32.com/download_346.html)

[Little Linguist]

Absolutely. Elements is basically Photoshop for "normal people". It supports layers, although the pro features of Photoshop are not included in Elements. Honestly, I have Photoshop CS2, and while I enjoy many of the features, there are a good deal of them that I have not explored and I still can do anything I have wanted to do. Elements is a very good value.

You can download a free trial of the program. You'll be able to use it for 30 days or so, then decide if you want to buy it.

Download Adobe PhotoShop CS3 10 Free Trial (http://www.soft32.com/download_346.html)

Hey, thanks a lot guys. I will have a lot of possibilities. Perhaps I can try it out and see what happens. If I like it, I can look into it. If not, I can check out PSP. :D

Jack, do you know if there is a trial for PSP as well?

[nolla]

Hey, Linguist, if you want a free, like totally free program with no "evaluation period" (they are annoying), you should try Gimp. It can do most of the stuff photoshop and paint shop can and it is definitely enough for your needs. I can give you some advice on it if you want to. I've done loads of digiart with it.

[Martoon]

Just to throw in my $.02

First, what kind of teacher are you? Are you employed by a school? If so, you probably qualify for the discounted educational Photoshop price.

I would recommend Photoshop Elements. Like FM said, it has all the features you'd likely ever use in Photoshop. I use the full Photoshop on my desktop machine. Photoshop Elements came pre-installed on my laptop, and for most of what I end up doing with it, I didn't even bother installing the full Photoshop since Elements handled it.

I think PSP is a little cheaper than Elements, but Elements is worth the difference in price, from my experience.

Gimp is free, and very powerful, but the interface is awkward and clunky. If you're not a tech geek who likes to spend time messing with computery things, I wouldn't recommend it. You'll spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.

[nolla]

Gimp is free, and very powerful, but the interface is awkward and clunky. If you're not a tech geek who likes to spend time messing with computery things, I wouldn't recommend it. You'll spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.

Well, there is the GimpShop which is a photoshop looking Gimp. And I didn't find it too hard. If that would make me a geek, I'd be rich.

At least it is easier to learn Gimp than get the money for photoshop.

[tenINsFJ]

I have CS3. Great program, never used elements so I cant compare them, but if you're look to change the skies in your photo, or change backgrounds, with CS3 it can be done in literally probably 30 seconds and look good too(if done right).

Like what Martoon said, if you're in school, you can get the "Academic version" aka same thing as the regular but for student pricing. CS3 is $299USD. And comes with free upgrade to CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended w/FREE upgrade to CS4 - WIN with Academic Discount at JourneyEd.com (http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?ItmNo=20271033)

But you can't just get the program and do it miraculously after installation. It takes a lil time to understand how all the tools work and stuff. Good luck.

[millerm277]

There is a "way" to get photoshop....*cough* piracy *cough*....bad cold I seem to have.

Photoshop is NOT easy to learn though, I personally use an old version of Macromedia Fireworks and GIMP instead of Photoshop usually.

[kyuuei]

Photoshop rocks, but you need a fuggin degree for it.

I'm a bit on the idiot side of comps for now as well. I had a friend teach me some of photoshop in Iraq in my little spare time.. So I do know how to take a pic, edit out the background, and put it into another pic or background. I can do the lasso and delete tool and the smudge tool.

We used it for a 300 parody of one of our squad leaders. ^_^ it rocked.