Basics To Know When Choosing The Best Software

It is likely that with the purchase of your digital camera, scanner, or computer, you will have all the software you need to make a start in digital photography. In addition to the utility software that enables your computer, digital camera, and scanner to talk to each other, you will need an image-manipulation application, and the most widely used is Adobe Photoshop. However, many photographers do a great deal of satisfying work using much less costly, easier-to-learn software.

Entry-level image editors are all easy to use. For PC-only, consider MGI PhotoSuite, which offers many features at a very low cost, while JASC Paint Shop Pro has a good suite of features at a slightly higher price. Other low-cost options to consider include Ulead PhotoImpact, Microsoft Picture It, and MGI LivePix. Adobe PhotoDeluxe is easy to use but you may outgrow it quickly. A better choice is Adobe Photoshop Elements, which has a powerful feature set and is easy to use.

Plug-ins and extras
Plug-in software applications are programs in their own right, but they are written to make use of another application's core program, or "engine". Photoshop itself comes with many of its own. PhotoTools from Extensis is exceptional in adding a good range of tools, including convenient but¬tons to supplement the standard menu. Another popular choice from Extensis is Intellihance, which is used to make quick, overall image improvements. The most popular plug-ins are those that produce special effects, such as sun bursts, metallic and bevelled text, blurs, and so on. Kai's Power Tools, Alien Skin, and Xenofex each offer a wide range of effects - and between them, more than anyone would ever need. But beware, special effects are exactly that - effects for special occasions. Repeated use rapidly becomes overuse.



Steve J. Wilson is living in the United States and is a freelance writer since 2006, in digital photography related topics. If you are interested in some useful Digital Photography Classes, than you are in the right place.

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