whats the best program for photo editing(for mac) (filter, upgrade, photoshop)

[chitown97]

I have used windows paintshop pro 9 for the past 3 years and ive always like that program.I just now recently bought a macbook pro and i need to get a program for my picture editing ....I love all the options that paintshop pro 9 had so i would like something like that or better .I heard that apeture 2 is good but im open to any suggestions ...Dont want to spend more them $200.00 any pointers will be great

Thank you

[atlantagreg30127]

Paint Shop Pro X2 is better

You have two choices:

1) Install WinXP on your Mac so it's a "dual boot" system. That way, you can still boot up in XP to use the Paint Shop Pro program you already have, so all you'd have to do is buy the XP disk to install that on the Mac. Supposedly with the new Mac OS it's really easy to set up a dual boot system now. I haven't owned a Mac in years so I have no idea how to do it, but I'm sure there's tons of folks who can.

2) Buy Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Mac. Around $79 at Costco, or $99 at regular retail stores. The only thing I don't like about Elements is that the noise reduction filter and purple fringing controls do not work NEARLY as well as the ones that are built into Paint Shop Pro, so, you'd have to get a plug-in for noise control to add to Elements to bring it up to PSP9's level in that area. Elements does have good RAW editing features, too.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I was a beta tester for Aperture 2 and loved it. I LOVED IT. I am assuming that you shoot in RAW format and since your on a budget, Photoshop CS3 is out of the question.

I have not yet purchased Aperture 2 yet (still use Bridge RAW and Photoshop) but I really liked Aperture. At $199 its well worth it.

[RayinAK]

A very cheap one, considering what it does for editing (RAW files specially), is PSE6. It costs a little under $100.00. Also, I would recommend a second application for your Mac, and that's Graphic Converter. This program was created by Mr. Lemke long ago in the years of Apple II computers, by a fellow from Germany. The upgrades are free for life. It has been called "the poor man's PhotoShop" for good reasons, and only costs $35.00.

If you shoot RAW, PSE6 (PhotoShop Elements 6) is an outstanding application. That's what I use, along Graphic Converter.

[KnoxTown]

There is no substitute for Photoshop.

[ShepsMom]

Do they make GIMP for Mac? I haven't tried it, but it's free. PSP is not made for Mac, so you're out of luck there. How about Elements? Not sure the price on it.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by KnoxTown

There is no substitute for Photoshop.

Agree with you.

[ShepsMom]

While there is no sub for photoshop, it is quiet an overwhelming program. It would be too much for someone who is learning edits and all that. You probably never ever going to use everything that photoshop offers. I would like to get CS3 (i like couple of features), but my CS2 suits me just fine for now.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by ShepsMom

While there is no sub for photoshop, it is quiet an overwhelming program. It would be too much for someone who is learning edits and all that. You probably never ever going to use everything that photoshop offers. I would like to get CS3 (i like couple of features), but my CS2 suits me just fine for now.

Consider Photoshop Elements. In fact you can do quite a lot of photo editing with Elements, and buy actions that are designed with CS3, to use with elements. Such actions cost from $8.00 to $12.00.

[chitown97]

Thank you guys and gals