free editing software

pete1w

pete1w

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Name
peter
Edit My Images
Yes
hi all. are there any decent free editing programs that can be downloaded from tinterweb? i must admit im kinda in the camp of what you shoot is what you get but if the resources are available i would like to try editing some of my amateurish attempts at a photograph. thanks pete
 
I believe a lot of people use Gimp and Picasa for basic PP stuff. Haven't used Picasa myself for about 12 years so dunno how flexible it is nowadays. No knowledge of Gimp.
 
I downloaded gimp for a few days when i lost everything on my laptop but it confused the hell out of me, maybe someone else can come and reccommend it or something else, there must be a few good ones around.....

Depending how serious you are about getting in to editing why not try a few of the 30 day trials and see what suits you... elements is fairly easy to pick up so is lightroom, both which i use and there are loads of tutorials on youtube that are meant to be ace
 
Before I bought Elements 11, I was using Photoscape, it is a good freebie an easy enough to use
 
Gimp is really good, I started using it several years ago, its like a free version of photoshop, with a few less but all of the essential features you probably need for most edits

If you use windows, the 2011 live photo editor had some really nice quick settings which meant batch editing alot of photos quickly was very easy, you can download it from the following link (although it is packaged with the windows live mail package - http://www.filehippo.com/download_windows_live_mail/8451/) It got rubbish when they updated it so dont get a newer version. I love it
 
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Although I use GIMP, I'd hesitate to recommend it for a quick dip into editing. Not that it's not capable; with a couple of extension packs it can certainly hold it's own. More that it's quirky, idiosyncratic, and not an easy learning curve.
I use it purely because I've used it for years, it being the only image editor worth having for a Linux system back then. I've probably simply got used to it :)
 
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Thanks all. I guess editing is another skill that I have yet to learn. I certainly know how to choose my hobbies! I will have a look at the ones mentioned. Cheers pete
 
Agree about GIMP and Photoscape. These are probably at the opposite ends of the spectrum of editors. GIMP can do a huge amount but, as suggested, takes a bit to get used to. Photoscape is much more limited but is very easy to use and often I find it does all I want.

Scarab Darkroom is a reasonable, free, raw file converter.

Dave
 
why would a photo editing software be called GIMP? i guess its an anacronym for something but it just sounds wrong but i will give it a shot.
 
GIMP = GNU Image Manipulation Programme.

Picasa has basic image editing capabilities, but is pretty limited. GIMP is powerful but, as others have said, there's a steep learning curve. I don't like it, and wouldn't recommend it for a novice. Some cameras also come with software and Canon's DPP is reasonably capable. Have a look here too http://www.techradar.com/news/softw...e-10-top-image-editors-you-should-try-1135489. It's current and gives you an overview.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is good and fairly inexpensive. This would be my choice, if you're prepared to buy the programme, but you can download a 30 day free trial to see if you like it.
 
pete1w said:
why would a photo editing software be called GIMP? i guess its an anacronym for something but it just sounds wrong but i will give it a shot.
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Just be careful, don't use the mask facility and look on line for a tutorial called Gimp Mask-a whole new experience awaits :D:D:D:D:exit:

I have in the past used Picasa - very flexible and very free ( I have CS5 now- which is the Dog's Dangles )

Les ;)
 
GIMP is powerful but a bit crude - layers are great, but for general image PP the tools lack subtlety and are sluggish.

If you're on windows the try Irfanview (www.irfanview.com) for a simple, intuitive photo editor with enough tools to start.

My present fave is Digikam (www.digikam.org) and there is a version for windows (I use it with Linux). Digikam doesn't do layers, but the tools for typical PP are quick, clear and a pleasure to use. It's more complex than Irfanview, but for 'ordinary' photo editing it's much better than GIMP.
 
hi all. i downloaded gimp this morning and i have to say i didn't have a clue what to do with it. i am working nights at the moment so that might have something to do with it as my brain is scrambled. i will have alook at a few of your other suggestions as im sure there is a program out there that will be suitable for a complete techno dunce like myself. thanks for all your help pete
 
pete1w said:
hi all. i downloaded gimp this morning and i have to say i didn't have a clue what to do with it. i am working nights at the moment so that might have something to do with it as my brain is scrambled. i will have alook at a few of your other suggestions as im sure there is a program out there that will be suitable for a complete techno dunce like myself. thanks for all your help pete
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GIMP is a bit like Photoshop, it's not very intuitive and the start screen - with all the tools and options - is rather intimidating if you're not used to this sort of software. You can work most of it out for yourself, but I'd strongly recommend buying a book or looking for online help if you want to use it. There are plenty of articles and videos available.

To be frank, though, I'd forget about GIMP until you have some experience with post processing. There are easier alternatives and you can move up when you're ready.
 
There is also GIMP magazine, available electronically, with tips and tutorials.

Do have a look at Irfanview, because it is nice & simple.
 
abbandon said:
Phocus by Hassleblad

you have to register to download but its free and worth a try.

Helicon Filter Free

You have to put up with cnet's downloader but Helicon Filter I find easy to use I liked it enough to cough up for a lifetime liecence
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I'm downloading Phocus now to try. Thanks.

Just be aware that downloading stuff using CNET may cause other software that you may not want to be downloaded at the same time. If offered the option, always reject additional software like toolbars, browser add ons etc. Worth noting that GIMP have withdrawn their software from sourceforge because sourceforge were obfuscating the true download link in order to encourage downloading of unwanted/paid software and malware.
 
I preferred Paint.Net to GIMP. Not as popular and not so many tips on the internet but it has enough on its own site to do most things.
 
Suvv said:
I preferred Paint.Net to GIMP. Not as popular and not so many tips on the internet but it has enough on its own site to do most things.
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Thanks for the tip. I had no idea Paint.net had layers! It seems much nicer to use than GIMP.
 
abdoujaparov said:
Thanks for the tip. I had no idea Paint.net had layers! It seems much nicer to use than GIMP.
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That's what I found. I did not use GIMP much just had a quick play. There are quite a few plug-ins for Paint.Net and when I started using PSE 9 I already had a good idea of what the various tools did.
 
Try Ability Photopaint, it's simple (so I get on well with it). And there's Irfan View too.
I agree with Toni that you have to be very careful you don't download something nasty that appears to be part of the bundle - you especially do not want to download FTDownloader that seems to come with most free trials of PP software.
 
If you want something quick and dirty (whilst you are learning GIMP) try Fastone Image Viewer, in spite of its name it has some primitive image editing tools available, in addition to Slideshow, contact sheet and multi image production it can batch covert/rename etc etc..

Well worth the money - everyone should have a copy.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
 
All good advice and there are worthwhile programmes out there, but Photoshop Elements 12 is currently available for about £65 on Amazon. Lightroom 5 is going for £56 from Software for Students if you qualify, and the student definition is fairly broad. AFAIK, Lightroom is closer to £100 at normal retail.

Granted, the OP said he was looking for free software, but these are very reasonable prices for excellent software that will accomplish just about anything you want to do for a very long time. They're both available as 30 day free trials from Adobe too.
 
MartynK said:
All good advice and there are worthwhile programmes out there, but Photoshop Elements 12 is currently available for about £65 on Amazon. Lightroom 5 is going for £56 from Software for Students if you qualify, and the student definition is fairly broad. AFAIK, Lightroom is closer to £100 at normal retail.

Granted, the OP said he was looking for free software, but these are very reasonable prices for excellent software that will accomplish just about anything you want to do for a very long time. They're both available as 30 day free trials from Adobe too.
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Why would anyone trust Adobe at the moment?
 
st599 said:
Why would anyone trust Adobe at the moment?
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And that is a very good question, especially if you can get something that works well without spending money and without the risk. But TBH if I were an adobe user right now I'd be doing my darnedest to stay away from the CS model. Why should I rent software and what kind of stupid do they think I am if I'm supposed to keep stuff in the cloud.

I'm trying out various editors for Mac at the moment. Fotor (free) seems adequate for simple stuff, Phocus looks interesting, although it seems to want to automate & batch process everything. Ive also downloaded RPP very recently but haven't fiddled with it's AW processing capability yet.
 
Last time I looked, Adobe was giving away CS2 for free. All I needed was to register with them. There's no support but I downloaded it onto my laptop ( old Dell with very little memory, much like it's owner!), CS2 is easier to use than Gimp.
 
Adobe Lightroom :whistling:

What do you mean it's not free?! :exit:
 
I just had a look and CS2 is still up for grabs! Easiest way is going to Snapfiles http://www.snapfiles.com/get/photoshopcs2.html and downloading the 340Megs

I just read through the download page and failed to see this
From Adobe: The serial number below should only be used by customers who legitimately purchased CS2 and need to maintain their current use of these products.View the Adobe page... Serial number provided by Adobe: 1045-1412-5685-1654-6343-1431
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So it seems you can grab it for free with the serial number but you may not necessarily be authorised to use it. Hmmmmm.................:rolleyes:
 
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As I understand it, they released the files and a serial code so that those people who already had a valid licence for CS2 could reinstall the software after Adobe turned off support for CS2. It's no more free than downloading a hooky copy/serial from a torrent site is free. ie, you can do it, but it's not legal.
 
Farmerjim said:
Last time I looked, Adobe was giving away CS2 for free. All I needed was to register with them. There's no support but I downloaded it onto my laptop ( old Dell with very little memory, much like it's owner!), CS2 is easier to use than Gimp.
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No they weren't. Read the licence conditions on the download.

Gimp is far more powerful than CS2 and not as resource hungry anyway.
 
I think Eddy meant that the OP had asked for free software & lightroom is most definitely not.
 
st599 said:
No they weren't. Read the licence conditions on the download.

Gimp is far more powerful than CS2 and not as resource hungry anyway.
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I stand corrected, failed to see the conditions:oops:
 
john-oh said:
If you want something quick and dirty (whilst you are learning GIMP) try Fastone Image Viewer, in spite of its name it has some primitive image editing tools available, in addition to Slideshow, contact sheet and multi image production it can batch covert/rename etc etc..

Well worth the money - everyone should have a copy.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
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:agree: can also clone and heal with it as well.
Have a look at LightZone as well, used to be paid for up to v3.9, but v4 is open source and is freely available for PC, Linux and Mac. Doesn´t use layers as such, but each aspect can be turned on or off as required.
 
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