As everybody is aware, Photoshop is brilliant - but too expensive for most people - and I don't condone software piracy.

 

There is an alternative, though, called GIMP.  It is roughly on a par with slightly older versions of Photoshop and, if you can use one the other is a cinch to learn (although some things are in different menus), and there are loads of plugins available.  The biggest omission (for me) is that it doesn't have adjustment layers although it does, of course, have layer masks.

 

This is free, open source, software and is available from gimp.org

 

 

I am wanting to move to GIMP but until they release the next version which will finally allow 16 bit images, I am hanging on to PS CS4. Ain't no way I am moving to CC as I don't use it enough to justify ££/month.

Paint.net?

I am wanting to move to GIMP but until they release the next version which will finally allow 16 bit images, I am hanging on to PS CS4. Ain't no way I am moving to CC as I don't use it enough to justify ££/month.

 

If you don't want to move to CC but need to upgrade to something newer, you can normally find upgrade licences on eBay/Amazon for previous versions such as CS6.

 

I've been using Acorn the last while on OSX instead of PS - certainly not a replacement (even for GIMP), but as I don't do much graphic work anymore, it's fine for odd bits and pieces for web graphics etc. and is nice to use. Not free but cheap.

 

Aperture's very good for photo management and also adjustment/odd bit of retouching if it's more for photography work (even iPhoto does the job for me most of the time now to be honest).

Or use Photoshop Elements which is very capable these days. 

Paint.net?

 

I thought I was the only one in the world who knew about that one!  

Or use Photoshop Elements which is very capable these days.

True, forgot about Elements, only about £70 or so too.

I've got elements but haven't really managed to suss it all out yet...   Any quick guides out htere?

YouTube!

All the 'photoshops' I have done in this section have been done using GIMP on my Mac, I've found it nice and easy to use!

I don't think  I know anybody who has paid for Photo Shop. It is widely available.... Gratis

I don't think  I know anybody who has paid for Photo Shop. It is widely available.... Gratis

 

Depends on what you're using it for though. If it's just for the odd bit of stuff at home, a lot of people will go down the 'gratis' route as you say, but if you're using it or similar software commercially, you don't have much of a choice. Same goes for things like VCDS.

I have paid full subscription to VCDS and we have CS6 suite at work all paid for, 6 machines I believe.

 

 At home little snitch comes in handy

 

 

I don't think  I know anybody who has paid for Photo Shop. It is widely available.... Gratis

As a believer in free and open source software I don't believe in stealing other software.  If I had to use paid for software I would pay for it.

As a believer in free and open source software I don't believe in stealing other software.  If I had to use paid for software I would pay for it.

+1. I have paid for CS2, CS4 and CS6 upgrades from a paid for version of Photoshop 6

I thought I was the only one in the world who knew about that one!

 

 

I do  

 

I do  

 

 

It's ace, I use it for my number place masking as it has a thingy you click on to copy colour of paint then you can zoom in and brush that shizzle!

There's also a free download called IrfanView which is great if your picture is slightly crooked, as it allows you to custom rotate by a few fractions of degrees to straighten it up

 

Paint.Net only allows 90 degree rotation either way

 

Could be worth a look as another alternative

There's also a free download called IrfanView which is great if your picture is slightly crooked, as it allows you to custom rotate by a few fractions of degrees to straighten it up

 

Paint.Net only allows 90 degree rotation either way

 

Could be worth a look as another alternative

 

Paint.net allows rotation to the hundredth of a degree, that's the only other thing I have ever used it for. Been able to do so since I started using it about 4 years ago, latest version and all before you could, looked a little different with a bigger wheel to turn if doing it that way rather than inputting numbers manually. Ctrl+Shift+Z

 

 

Has anyone tried this - http://pixlr.com/

 

from what I can gather, it's like a web-based version of Photoshop Elements

True, forgot about Elements, only about £70 or so too.

 

It can be picked up cheaper at times as well, I usually pay around £30 to £40 for Elements as I keep an eye out for anyone selling it cheaper to get a new version.  It's obviously nowhere near as powerful as the full CS package but it's still very capable and it's also well supported in terms of tutorials and videos online.  As I primarily process raw photos I find Lightroom is a very useful piece of software which is far cheaper than it used to be (with no loss in functionality) which mixed with PS Elements covers my editing needs.

 

John

Hi, at the moment Adobe announces both Photoshop CC and Lightroom in their Creative Cloud solution for photographers for less that £9 per month. Maybe it could be of interest?

I am currently trialling Paintshop Pro X7 which seems pretty good on the surface and at £60ish isnt too big a hit on the bank.

 

My PP package buys tend to be every 3-4 years

 

CS2 - bought under educational programme £200 in approx 2006

 

CS4 - bought under educational programme £200 in approx 2008

 

Based on this (if Adobe had CC in place) I would have spent £864 on the subscription as opposed to £400.

 

If I buy PSP X7 (which has a lot of the functionality I want) it will likely last a couple of years making it less than half the price of Adobe CC for PS &LR for the same period.

 

Best bet would be Gimp if it comes up with a production build for Gimp 2.9

+1 for GIMP; which was recommended to me earlier this year.

I dont use it much - but so far - does everything required!