What's the best free easy to use photo editing suite

Zola.

Lightroom is great, 70 quid or something

FreeBear

grant_uk wrote: »

I know there's been a few mentioned already, but as a Linux user I've been using GIMP for a few years now

Same here, and there is a massive amount of online help/tutorials when it comes to doing "stuff". Although one does need to be careful with google searches and have an open mind.... "GIMP masks" was an eyeopener for me :eek:

were

FreeBear wrote: »

Same here, and there is a massive amount of online help/tutorials when it comes to doing "stuff". Although one does need to be careful with google searches and have an open mind.... "GIMP masks" was an eyeopener for me :eek:

Gimp is just too hard to learn for the odd picture. Paint.net does not have masks as PS, or what i think a mask is, but has different layer types, so you select the layer (or add a new one) the layers window there is a Properties button and there is Mode drop down, think overlay is the mask, or one of many choices to do with layers

Undervalued

knightstyle wrote: »

http://www.redmondpie.com/download-adobe-photoshop-cs2-for-free-legally-while-you-still-can/

Despite what some articles claim, technically this is not free for all.

Adobe clarified the situation basically saying they had made a copy available to download but it was intended only for those licensed to use it.

If I remember correctly it is because it pre-dates their current activation system. Newer versions can be downloaded but will only run for 30 days without online activation.

That said, given the confusion they created, I very much doubt they are terribly bothered if people are using what is now ten year old software.

Brand_X

Photofiltre. Very lightweight but fairly polished. It has some annoying limitations for which you'd have to use Paint.net instead but for ease of use I think it's tops.