Seems there are a few different versions of Photoshop, as well as some freeware (GIMP, Paint.NET, etc.). Basically I want to edit photos to include backgrounds, add smoke / haze, etc. Any suggestions on the "best" program that won't brake my bank? Thanks!
I have used various versions of Photoshop since 1990, when the first Mac-only version came about. I still use Photoshop sometimes, but since GIMP does basically all I ever need and does it without the expense of a license and an upgrade I have been using that one much more often.
We've used Photoshop Elements for years and like it very much. The current version is 9, selling for $79.99 on the Adobe website.
GIMP is a little quirky, though less so in it's latest version, and has a lot of gizmos. As it's free you can't really go far wrong by trying it. You may find a combination of software works for you - some actions you may find GIMP does well for you, whereas others might be easier in a different package. (Eg. Some may do photo editing best whereas others may do 'original' work (like adding smoke) better.)
Argh. I've not updated since Photoshop Elements 4. It still does enough. I also used IrfanView for many basics... I've seen GIMP mentioned so many times, one of these days I should take a look... Boxcab E50
http://www.sagelighteditor.com/ About this time last year, the gentleman who compiled the programme had a promo. Name your price, even if it's a buck. I used if for the 30 day trial and ended up sending him half his MSRP listed at the time. He was very grateful, and gave me a life-time subscription. Oddly, his new price is about what I sent him. It is all I use. My photos depend on my skill, which is still developing. However, I used sagelight's cloning brush to eliminate all sorts of artifacts that were undesirable in this photo, and I made the smoke and steam effects. Here is another example:
I use Photoshop Elements 7.0, but I guess there really is no "best" option. It all depends on personal preferences for complexity, layout, and brush/color tools. As far as simplicity goes, I actually use Windows Paint for cropping and adding a background just because I've used that basic program for years. I've been doing some trial and error for smoke effects with the brush tool and the spot-healing brush used to create the texture. These are my better examples:
I have a Photoshop LE (limited edition) I got almost 9 years ago with my custom computer built for video work. It is the fewer frills versions of a Photoshop I used when working in television so I am used to it. 20 year old photo recently scanned and background added- I also use Photoshop LE for drawing layout plans- and I use it for drawing elements to glue onto my backgrounds. And here's a low-relief structure you can print, cut out and build.
