Editing Software - again?

[Southpaw]

I know this has probably been covered more than once. I searched but got lost.

I had been using Picasa to do really simple editing on my photos (Canon T3i, RAW format) but it has started auto-adjusting my photos to the point of being a useless base to start with. I did some research and thought Lightroom 5 sounded perfect for my needs, that is until I discovered the Windows 7/8 compatibility. I'm still running Windows XP so I would have to go back to Lightroom 3. Then I found out Photoshop Elements 11 is XP compatible, but you have to pay monthly, or do you? On Amazon.ca I can buy what I'm assuming to be a physical copy for just $69.99, or will I need to buy monthly licenses on top of that? Ugh, my head is spinning.

I am by no means professional. I just need to edit my photos, free is perfect, inexpensive is also fine. What do you suggest?

 

[ywen]

it seems like you are not specific in the software to use, I would just recommend the Free Photoshop - GIMP. And the Free editor/viewer Firestone.

Both will work on Windows XP.

 

[Southpaw]

it seems like you are not specific in the software to use, I would just recommend the Free Photoshop - GIMP. And the Free editor/viewer Firestone.

Both will work on Windows XP.

I just assumed that anything by Adobe was sort of the best of the best but they seem to want to make it harder for Joe Anybody to use their software, either by having to upgrade to the latest O/S or by paying an absurd amount per month. I guess I'm looking for a Photoshop alternative.

 

[Rattler]

I just bought Lightroom 4 (not that many upgrades for my budget to justify 5) and I am defintely an amatuer but it has given me fantastic results. It came highly recommended to me from a photographer I had met at several concerts over the last few years. He told me just to shoot in RAW if I know I will be editing everything also and I am much happier with my results.

I am running Winodws 7 and have had no problems using it either so far.

BTW, I used Picasa prior to LR4.

 

[nwoods]

Check out Pixlr.com, its a free browser based editor similar in functionality/capability to Photoshop Elements. It's super fast and easy, and free. I use the "advanced" editor option.