Computer programs?

[dbrat]

Hi,
Im am soo NOT a computer savvy person.. only know the basics, email, surf and thats 'bout it :o .
So I was wondering if any of you could help me here....
What computer programs do I need to turn a reference pic into grayscale? and do thumbnails? What else can I do on the comp to help make things a little easier?
Thanks,
:) Diana

[Katydid]

i think a favorite here is Photoshop. it is a little costly, but Elements does all that most of us will ever need. it is really helpful once you get the hang of suing the layers.

there are so real pros here - they can tell you more. i am Elements is still new to me - but so far i love it.

[CindyH]

Hi Diana, I have Photoshop Elements II by Adobe. I received it for Christmas two years ago, but I think you can get it for around $65-70.

Once I take a digital pic or scan my painting, I can crop it, adjust the brightness, colors, resize it for posting to the web.

When I work with my resource I can change to greyscale to work on my underpainting. I also use it to try different crops, clean up backgrounds or imperfections in my resource. And you can use it to create special effects..like making your resource look like an oil painting. I am not as proficient as others at making changes to my resource ...like moving objects and changing colors but I am getting there. One thing I do is take a trip to the local book store, pick up a book on using Photoshop Elements II, but instead of buying the book I get a latte and sit and read a couple of chapters. Slowly but surely I am learning new things.

I have other photo editing software programs that came with my camera and my scanner...but I don't use them at all anymore.

[bmac]

I use the program that came with my scanner/printer/copier. It easily changes photos to greyscale, resizes,etc. I have an inexpensive lexmark 3in1. I do have Photoshop Elements II, but can't do much with it. I would like to learn how to layers, but have no clue how. This program came with my digital camera. But no book of instruction!

Well I just looked at the Photoshop that I have and it is called Photoshop Album Starter. I guess that is not the same as Elements. :confused:

[dbrat]

Hi,
Katydid, Cindy, bmac Thanks so much :)

Ill be putting Elements II on my shopping list :D


:) Diana

[Arlene]

elements is a good program and ann kullbergs magazine has a monthly article on working in elements.

[Katydid]

Hi,
Katydid, Cindy, bmac Thanks so much :)

Ill be putting Elements II on my shopping list :D


:) Diana go for Elements III, or I think maybe even IV is out now.

[glo]

I have a simple program that came with my digital camera and also one called Picasso that came from Ritz camera free with photos and a cd that both convert to grayscale, allow color changes etc. I can also use the one from my Cannon scanner too. These were all no charge and if I can figure them out anyone can. If your like me I'm cautious about buying a Photoshop program (so much $$$$) and it has so much more than I could ever learn to use or have a need for.
Gloria