CLOSED: 2.0 Advanced Competition 73

[gtuned]

I can see this will require more thought than i had anticipated, right now im thinking get GIMP, CS5 and LR and just spend hours fiddling with everything on each of them, i suppose it comes down to 'i have about 1200-1600 pound to spend, how much will all that software set me back'?
Unfortunately the link doesnt work on my ps3.
I think in terms of editing id be using them to clear jaggies on standards, increase colour saturation and generally clean the image up.

If no one submits a theme idea i have one?

Paint.net with a decent computer does wonders. My Dell Inspiron isn't the most high tech thing, it's essentialy as stock as a ricer performance wise. Paint.net with a few tricks and plugins can do alot of work, jaggies are difficult, but doable, and curves+ and some layer tricks can do color toning wonders. As an example, this picture,

was done alone in paint.net, no photomatix HDR multiple exposure, but from this single picture, only using some dodge and burn, curves, layers and plugins. So there really isn't any need for an uber fancy 1337 computer. Just read up on photography and find some picture editing tutorials.​

 

[Moglet]

So there really isn't any need for an uber fancy 1337 computer. Just read up on photography and find some picture editing tutorials.

This is spot on. The computer is just a tool, even the fastest most powerful Mac Pro can be used to make awful photos! The software isn't always as important as you'd think either; you can get some fantastic results from free software these days, especially if you're just after some basic 2.0 editing.

 

[zambuca]

I'll probably be studying photography next year at college or uni.

Find out if you will qualify for education pricing at the online Apple store. If so, wait and buy a MBP next year.

 

[RED3MON]

Find out if you will qualify for education pricing at the online Apple store. If so, wait and buy a MBP next year.

Yea, I got MBP few months ago with $100 student discount plus $100 iTunes gift card... Which I think is a good deal

 

[cphbullet]

I maybe don't need a MBP I just know I want it fast enough to be able not to freeze when I try to do something, Just out of curiosity where do I get things like GIMP?

 

[Tonystew42]

I maybe don't need a MBP I just know I want it fast enough to be able not to freeze when I try to do something, Just out of curiosity where do I get things like GIMP?

You can get GIMP free from gimp.org.

 

[gtsteviiee]

If you just tell me your maximum budget for a PC, we can probably choose parts for a computer that will completely wreck an mbp at cheaper prices. Or if you don't want a desktop there's always other cheaper laptops that can smoothly process PS or other related softwares. A macbook isn't the only choice out there for editing.

 

[Nato_777]

Right then just to add to your confusion, I use PaintShop Photo Pro X4 for my editing and find it every bit as good as CS5 except it's a fraction of the price. Having used both this and CS5 I find PSP Pro X4 to be easier to use as well. All the CS5 plugins, brushes etc are fully compatible with PSP and if you buy the Ultimate edition you get a very nice set of filters with it. CS5 does have a few advanced options (which you are not likely to need unless you are heavily into design work) that PSP doesn't have but for the money I'ld definitely recommend PaintShop Photo Pro X4 any day.
That said GIMP is very good and I use it for most of my 'cleanup' work - fixing jaggies and the like before photo editing in PSP.