PHOTO SOFTWARE (free or cheap)

Marty999

Picasa is great for the basic functions that most of us need. I tried the Gimp but did not get on with it.

spud17

I tried the Gimp but did not get on with it.

Been there. Paint.NET does the same, but more intuitive interface.

peawet08

I vote for Gimp! quiet complex but tutorials online and very functional once you get used to it.

System

Without wishing to be rude or condescending, if anyone needs to ask this question, then surely Picasa3 must be for them. It is easy to operate, the results are more than satisfactory.

Currently I must have several of these suites that I have aquired over the years and each of them have functions that I like, but after much experimenting, rather than loose them or have them cluttering up my desktop, I created a new folder/icon called "Hardly used" and keep them all in that. I don't know why though because Picasa3 suits me and that's what it's all about, "what suits you". One of the things I like in picasa which I haven't come across elsewhere, is the facility to straighten a pic that has a horizon on a tilt, then crop it so that no-one knows.

I've even got a disc containing photoshop elements. These are expensive to buy, even so, it is over my head.

Stompa

Can you give us a clue as to what you actually want to be able to do with the software?

Marty_J

For basic photo editing and organising on Windows, I'd recommend trying Windows Live Photo Gallery. Apart from anything else, it makes it very easy to upload your photos to Live Photos. With its free 25 GB of storage, it makes an excellent backup solution.

For anything more complicated, GIMP is probably your best bet.

27col

I agree entirely with islandman. I take a lot of pictures from a yacht and Picasa is invaluable for straightening them out.

System

as an aside from the OP's question, to straighten out horizons on sea-scapes using the picasa3 facility proved perfect when we returned from Mauritus as my daughter/son-in-law went on a days sailing for in search of dolphin etc.. Having said that, some shots look good at an angle.

chrissiewants2save

Thanks all. I will look at them. What I want to do with the Photo's ...well continue experimenting. I have exhausted the features on Microsoft Digital Image Suite Editor 2006 (and it does have a simple way of straightening out a picture) and wanted something a little more advanced. All I do is have a go with new fetaures and techniques. I had been 'given' a very advanced photo programme (professional) ...but it was way over my head at that time and took far too much room on my old old computer. In the end I gave up and deleted it. So thanks for all your suggestons.