Post processing tools

At the risk of opening up a can of worms: what is the most commonly used PP software. I am presently using a really old version of Paint Shop Pro and I am looking to upgrade but I don't know which way to jump. Something that also handles CR2 files would be good.

I used Photoshop Elements10. Easy to use and I don't think you need much more in the way of editing software. May find free trail download on the net

Check out for a training tut ( I bought the program and well worth the money)

http://www.simonsezit.com/courses/ad...ing-tutorials/
Click on part saying free demo

Bazza

I use Photoshop CS4, but Elements could easily be enough for basic PP tbh.

Also, there's GIMP which is like photoshop, but free, www.gimp.org

Hi Gav, I tend to use Adobe lightroom the most, it handle just about everything from a photographer point, but does luck some of the finer things like layers etc.

There are 30 day trials available, you could try before you buy.

Azz, I have Gimp 2.8/ Am I under-rating it because its open source?

I haven't used it for a long time, but it was always pretty good Gav.

Why not try some of the 30 day trials of photoshop/elements etc and see if they offer you anything more than Gimp?

Personally I generally just crop > resize > add a little sharpening when I PP as I try to keep them as close to what came out of the camera as possible - but everyone's PP varys

I use Helicon, £50 ish for life and free updates. Free trial version available.

Lightroom, as Ken pointed out is good for photographers.
Adobe are letting you use CS6 on a monthly basis. Check it out. http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/pho...criptions.html
A moderator may want to add it to its own thread if you think its worth being pointed out more.

Lightroom at the moment seems to be my favourite, but it has limitations. I also use CS3 and an old RAW editor called RAW Shooter

xx

I use Adobe Photoshop CS6.1. Keep in mind I've been using Photoshop since version 4.9, nearly 20 years ago. That was the only time I paid the $600 full price. Since then I moved to version 7.0, CS4, CS5 & now CS6. The latest two versions are incredible in what they can do. I use Content Aware Fill more than any other specialized feature. I also own a lot of plug-in software packages I use constantly to speed my workflow.