What is the best alternative to Photoshop CS3 for Photo Editing?

Question

Well, I'm looking to buy some photo editing software for when I start University next year. I know it's a little early as new versions may come out in the following months but it's something I've been wondering for a while.

I cannot afford to buy Photoshop CS3. So what is the best alternative software I can buy? Preferably under £150. Also, it needs to be compatible with Mac because I'm most probably going to buy a MacBook too.

I have GIMP, but I just cant get into it.

Thanks for answering =]

Answer 1

Paint.NET is alright, but quite basic compared to GIMP.

GIMP is very similar to Photoshop, apart from maybe plug-ins, but I've never used plug-ins in photoshop (brushes don't exactly count), so I can't be the judge of that.

Answer 2

photoshop cs2

its free on this site if you make an account takes 3mins

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UZA1X8P1

Answer 3

As you rightly remarked, photoshop is too expensive and  if I may add, much more difficult to manipulate than most other photo editing softwares available on the market..

I have been editing photos for a very long time, and one of the most user friendly softwares I can recommend is ACDSee image management software,

For a free trial please visit:

.... for XP

www.download.com/ACDSee

...for Mac

www.soft32.com/download_104490.html  

Answer 4

I have photoshop i can sell you for $450 if you want it... other than that the other option is to google picture editing and see what it can come up with.

Answer 5

Open source Photoshop alternatives check the link

I heard about corel draw..

Once i needed at work and i used the trial version, it was very usefull...

It depends on what do you really have to do anyway, because some softwares can be very specific and targeted

i got those from a good french magazine 01net.com

1er : Photoshop Elements 6

2e : Paint Shop Pro X2

3e : PhotoPlus 11

4e : PhotoImpact 12

Answer 6

Photoshop Elements would be a good option around £5.00 for Mac.  Contains the most functions the average editor would require. Main items missing are the pen tool ( for selections) but there are alternatives, lasoo etc and I very rarely use this tool. No Masks but there are ways round this in elements.  Curves are missing but Levels does the job.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_...

Plenty of free tutorials and plug ins but if you really want to learn Photoshop you should try Eclectic Acadamy.  They run a 6 week course over the internet describing and setting projects with homework. I have done 3 and don’t hesitate to recommend it.  Good value around £15.00

http://www.eclecticacademy.com/newclasse...

Whatever you choose make sure there are tutorials of some sort, getting used to these programs can be difficult

Answer 7

Did you Try Gimp Shop?

Answer 8

i dont know many image editing programs but the only other one i know apart from photoshop are the photoimpact ones...it seems alot easier to use than photoshop, doesnt offer as much but still alot you can do on it  

Answer 9

http://picasa.google.com

Answer 10

mspaint.exe