Photo-Editing Software Information

Updated February 2009

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In this report

Photo-Editing Software Links

Learning to use photo-editing software

For learning to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, Lynda.com (one of the best sites on image processing) provides a set of free tutorials in QuickTime movie mode.

Searching online will reveal tutorials on just about every aspect of photo editing and image management, specific to each major software program. Be aware, however, that to get very far with intermediate and advanced software, you'll also need at least one book and possibly several.

PSP tubes

While they don't fit within the confines of photo-editing software, it's hard to ignore the popularity of picture tubes, also called image sprays. Tubes are the computer-art equivalent of a rubber stamp, but even better because you can set the program so you don't have to paste the tube design over and over. If you wanted fall leaves, for example, you could choose the types (red maple, oak, etc.), set how close together they'd be (the "step"), and then click once or drag the mouse and the leaves appear over your image.

There are entire websites on the Internet for tube enthusiasts, which work mainly with Corel Paint Shop Pro. Ulead (now owned by Corel) also has image-spray features, and plug-ins like Alien Skin's Splat! and Human Software's PhotoSpray will work with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

If you are interested in PSP tubes, try PSP-tubes.com.

About.com's Sue Chastain also has some good info on tubes.

Keeping up with the latest photo software

Shutterbug, a website aimed at enthusiast and professional photographers, keeps up well with the latest developments. For example, Jack Neubart's January 2009 article previews some of the most interesting new photo software unveiled at the annual Photokina show.

Often photography forums are good places to search for more detailed information about specific software. For example, the retouching forum at DPReview.com includes many comparisons of photo-editing software plus discussions of editing techniques.

The Luminous Landscape includes forums on Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.

Wikipedia has a good overview article on GIMP, including a useful section comparing it with Adobe Photoshop, and discussing compatibility with that program.