Photo-editing software: Picture-perfect choices for every photographer

Whether you're a beginner with your digital camera or a seasoned, DSLR-wielding professional photographer, there's an almost dizzying array of photo-editing software available to get any image looking its best. Choices include powerful and challenging-to-use packages that help pros fine-tune the most minute details and easy-to-use photo editors that still have an ample enough bag of tricks to handle most general photo-editing tasks. Best of all, as our freshly-updated report on photo-editing software reveals, cost and power don't always go hand-in-hand.

Consider, for example, Adobe Photoshop and the GNU Image Manipulation Program, which is commonly called GIMP. The former costs hundreds of dollars, while the latter is absolutely free to download and use. Both have similarly-powerful editing tools, though in many cases they take different approaches to accomplish similar tasks. Another shared characteristic of Photoshop and GIMP is that both packages have steep learning curves and are overkill for all but pros or very serious enthusiasts.

Never fear, though, because in report on photo-editing software, we also name some very capable, well-reviewed alternatives that are easier for more casual users to master. We also name the most critically well-regarded programs for getting your photo collection organized and sharing your work with the world.

If you're still looking for the right camera to shoot those photos with, we have reports on a variety of options that cover different price ranges and skill levels.