Alternatives to Photoshop

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Photo Manipulation, Image Design and Editing Programs

Looking for free, discounted, or other alternatives to PhotoShop? Then you've come to the right place! Had to build on this list after I almost pulled my hair out trying to do simple picture manipulations in my son's PhotoShop program. Hey, if you are a pro with PhotoShop, more power to ya, at least hope you found something here to trip your trigger. If you are a photo editing newbie like me, consider starting with some of these programs, the freebies will at least give you the feel of tweaking a picture. Enjoy!

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Tips For Finding The Program Right For You 

Please add your thoughts

There are a number of things to consider while choosing your photo editing program. I have listed a few below, please feel free to add and vote on your thoughts too!

Cost...

is an important factor! Make sure to weigh what yo more...3 points

Advanced vs. Basic Features

Ask yourself, "What am I wanting to accomplis more...2 points

Learning Curve...

is huge! If you are new to the world of digital ph more...2 points

Usable from any computer

Browser based design tools can be used without ins more...1 point

Spotlight Sites!

Adding Some Bling Bling 

+ No Limit Image Hosting

Lookin' to add something new, different, fun, even cheesy to your space, blog, or website? Try Slide.com today! BONUS: It's free AND easy to add to...


Check out the product pictures I added to my website.

Go On a Picnik... 

Sans the Ants!

This is a great freebie find, couldn't wait to share it with you! These guys and gals have imagined what people want in a photo editing program and have integrated it with your favorite venues. Have something you need to tweak in your Picasa Web Album...voila! Desire to caption your pics for Facebook...taa daa! Just want to do your own thing...no worries!

START HERE...make sure to bring your imagination!

How To Create Previously Edited Photos With Picnik.com Free 

From HowCast

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Freebies

Free Photo Fixers! 

Easy to fully customizable

Artweaver: Use your digital pictures in this program to create something spectacular!

ColorPicker: Turn any digital picture into a palette of color.

Delineate: Lots of tech talk explaining the program, read between the lines and see if you would like to try this out!

GIMP: A versatile graphics manipulation package.

IRFANVIEW: It is trying to be simple for beginners and powerful for professionals.

JPEGCrops: Ever have your picture turn into a blurred mess once you cropped it? This program seems to offer a solution.

myImager: There are limits with this program, bonus it is all online no download. Premier membership available.

Paint.net: Started as a college project this free download has won awards and been compared to the 'Big Dogs' of photo editing!

Photo Filtre: Updated options make this photo editor robust and full of promise.

Picasa: Award winning Google program that is ready to download today!


Make a CD Of Select Photos in Picasa 

From HowCast

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$25 and Under

The Rage 

Award winning

Art Rage 2.5: Award winning software that turns any mundane picture into a work of art. -$25



More $25 and Under 

Great starters

PrintShop Photo ProjectsPrintShop Photo Projects

Creating amazing projects with your digital photos is easier than ever and takes your digital photos further! With a few quick clicks turn your photos into slick contemporary designs.



QuickStart Photo Morph StudioQuickStart Photo Morph Studio

Amaze your friends and family with unbelievable transformations! Morphing is an animation technique in which one image is gradually turned into another.



NOVA Photo Explosion

 

How To Back Up Digital Photos 

From HowCast

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$50 and Under

Good Stuff! 

That fits your budget

Photo Pos Pro Unique product with tons of tools and user expandability! -$44.90




Check These Out! 

Start editing today

ACD FotoSlate 4.0 Photo Print StudioACD FotoSlate 4.0 Photo Print Studio

This easy-to-use software is perfect for home users and digital enthusiasts alike, putting you on the fast-track to creative photo calendars, photo albums, scrapbooks, contact sheets, CD and DVD covers, and even T-shirt transfers. Jam-packed with all the customizable templates you need.



Photo Explosion Deluxe 3.0Photo Explosion Deluxe 3.0

Delivers powerful photo editing features, spectacular special effects and professional-quality photo projects - all together in one complete suite. Now Photo Explosion Deluxe 3.0 makes it easier than ever to unlock the power of your digital camera.



H & M StudioLine Photo Edition Software for Managing & Editing Photo Collections, for WindowsH & M StudioLine Photo Edition Software for Managing & Editing Photo Collections, for Windows

Makes managing and editing photo collections a snap. Organizing, filing, editing, improving, exporting, printing, emailing, web-galleries, slide shows every quintessential function needed for digital images from the average home user to the seasoned photo pro.

$100 and Under

Become the Professional! 

Enhance your pictures

Zoner Photo Studio 8 Professional: This program is a jam-packed toolkit and everything you will ever need for your photo processing! -$69.99

Zoner Photo Studio 9 Professional: Looking for a way to kick your photo editing up a notch or two? Then go for the nine! -$84.95




Added Pizzazz!! 

Let your talent shine!

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

The ideal choice for any aspiring photographer's digital darkroom. Fix brightness, color, and photo flaws in a few clicks; use precision editing tools to create the picture you want; give photos a unique, exciting look using hundreds of special effects, and much more!



Nova Photo Impact Pro 11Nova Photo Impact Pro 11

The complete digital photography and image editing suite this is the ideal choice for digital photography creative design and web graphics all in one powerful suite. You'll get everything you need to organize and edit your pictures.

$101 and Over

Dynamic 

Right from your desktop

Nikon Capture NX Photo Editing Software for PhotographersNikon Capture NX Photo Editing Software for Photographers

Make your photographic possibilities endless and realize the power of your imagination with Capture NX. There are no complicated procedures - Nikon's new interface provides intuitive access to all of the tools you need.



ACD Systems ACDSee Pro 2 Photo ManagerACD Systems ACDSee Pro 2 Photo Manager

Get unparalleled speed in every facet of your digital photography workflow-from photo capture to final print. ACDSee Pro's powerful toolset, including custom categories, visual tagging and batch editing, cuts hours out of any serious photographer's workflow.



Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4

Combines power and simplicity so you can easily tell great stories with your photos. Make your photos look their best whatever your level of editing experience--a friendly new design and step-by-step editing assistance help get you started.



Art Explosion Publisher Pro Digital Photo Edition

Especially For Scrapbookers

Creative Clickin'! 

For your scrapbooks

My Holiday Photo EditorMy Holiday Photo Editor

Create and customize photos quickly and easily, making one-of-a-kind holiday greetings and personal keepsakes. Create and capture your photo from a scanner, digital camera or printer then select from several options to customize photos to your preference.



Creative Scrapbooking W/Your ComputerCreative Scrapbooking W/Your Computer

This user-friendly, hands-on guide provides simple tips and techniques for stunning digital layouts. You will: learn how to create stunning faux patterned and specialty paper backgrounds, manipulate photos the easy way for professional results, create realistic faux page accents and embellishments, have designer success and fun with words and numbers and mimic traditional scrapbooking techniques - all with a computer.



Was this lens on Photoshop Alternatives helpful to you? 

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My Reader's Comment 

Flynn_the_Cat wrote...

Lensrolled here http://www.squidoo.com/ArtRagePainting

ReplyPosted June 21, 2009

poddys wrote...

Very nice lens. I downloaded Paint.net the other day and hope this works for me. I tried Gimp - couldn't figure it out at all. 5***** for some really useful information.

Oh yes - have you come across Faststone? It's a free photo/image viewer with some good manipulation capabilities. I love it, great for slide shows and most of the editing I need to do.

ReplyPosted March 02, 2009

vbright105 wrote...

I'm glad I saw this. I am a real technotard so photoshop made no sense to me. Unfortunately, I downloaded GIMP and I don't understand that either...lol. Ah well, Great information and great lens!

ReplyPosted December 16, 2008

clouda9 wrote...

in reply to Flynn_the_Cat Thanks for your information about the other programs. I just added them today.

ReplyPosted October 28, 2008

Flynn_the_Cat wrote...

Oops, no it's not. Sorry. Just remembered that it had gone up $5
Irfanview's a fairly good free photo editor.

ReplyPosted October 13, 2008

 
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