Software

[raven4ns]

Hello,
Which software do many of you use to photopaint with? I am in the process of trying to decide just that question. Photoshop is simply too expensive as this is a hobby and I can't justify the cost of PS. However there must be many other software packages that would allow me to photopaint some images for my own satisfaction. Do many of you use painting software or filters like Topaz? Thank you for any and all suggestions as they will be most appreciated.

Tim

[JAS_Photo]

Gimp is free but Adobe now offers until the end of June, Photoshop and Lightroom together in a package for just $10 per month with a one year package.

https://creative.adobe.com/plans/offer/photoshop+lightroom?promoid=KLARC

Yep, I use Topaz and Nik software as well but 80% of my editing is done in Lightroom.

[christopher steven b.]

Check out ArtRage and Corel Painter (which I'm not even sure is still around). I've used both of these are they're pretty decent and not absurdly expensive.

[raven4ns]

I looked at Gimp but my computer skills are nonexistent. It's a good day when I push the big shiny black button and the computer comes on...lol. Years ago I used PS3 because my son had it but the learning curve was steep. It seemed I had to re-learn it whenever I was away from it for a bit.
Essentially, all I want to do is to put a selenium tone on B&W and be able to adjust it to the tone I want for the image. In addition, I want to turn some of my images into paintings either through filters or software. While I'm not a painter nor have the skill to become one, using a software program that will turn an image into a painting is something I would enjoy doing. Thank you for your ideas and suggestions, I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Tim

[mbrager]

Welcome to the forum. I think you will find that Photoshop Elements will meet your requirements. It has lots of guided modules as well as an expert mode, isn't too expensive and can work with the Nik filters. You can definitely use a paint like filter with it to create a painting effect from a photo.

[Barefoot]

Welcome to the forum. I think you will find that Photoshop Elements will meet your requirements. It has lots of guided modules as well as an expert mode, isn't too expensive and can work with the Nik filters. You can definitely use a paint like filter with it to create a painting effect from a photo.

No secret that I'm a long time fan of Elements. Cheap and powerful.

[Ron Cardinale]

I use PhotoLine. It's very good and reasonably priced. You can download a trial version at PhotoLine.com (http://www.pl32.com).
In some ways, I like it better than Photoshop. It's got its own set of quirks but so does every other program.
The support is excellent.

[mapleleaf56]

I have actually started to edit all my photos on my ipad using Snapseed and Photogene I also use a app called Retouch if I need to remove any unwanted distractions. I am finding that I am processing my photos much faster and not having to sit in front of my computer for hours...in fact very often when I am alone I go to Tim Hortons for a coffee and do some work there. Snapseed will process raw files and I have a card reader that connects to my ipad to import my photos. I have been doing this for a few months now and I am extremely happy with the results so much so that I have canceled my subscription to adobe creative cloud.
Checkout my Flickr page and judge for yourselves.... https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithhorkins/