Photoshop (and Ex Photoshop) users try The GIMP

Hi folks

especially since Photoshop became "subscription" I'd suggest if you want something that has improved beyond all recognition recently, is Free, available on Windows and Linux (and Macbooks too I think) have a look at the GIMP.

Has things like layers, filters effects etc etc

While it won't replace a professional photographers need for something like photoshop it will probably suffice for serious amateur "shooters"

I'm quite impressed with recent versions

I'm using it on a Linux VM -- well worth a look at -- and it is downloadable for Windows as well. Same GUI etc.



I still also have the last non subscription version of PS CS6 13.0.1 for comparison but I'm getting very impressed with the GIMP -- also needs a bit of "learning time" too.

(I HATE mobile phone cameras --that's not photography -- those things are just for taking snaps / recording an accident etc etc).

Cheers
jimbo

I use it at work because they won't pay for Photoshop. But it's a pain to relearn everything. A big pain. So I'm staying with Photoshop at home. I've been using it for 25 years and I know it well.

margrave55 said:

I use it at work because they won't pay for Photoshop. But it's a pain to relearn everything. A big pain. So I'm staying with Photoshop at home. I've been using it for 25 years and I know it well.

Hi there

Fine if you have the "Non subscription" version -- you can use it almost forever -- I use the Cameras own software to convert RAW to psd files where the modern cameras raw files aren't handled by photoshop directly -- the psd or even tiff ones always work. (Although on modern cameras tiff files can be huge -- but I've got plenty of decent capable hardware though !!).

However I'm liking The GIMP more and more -- and I'm not getting suckered into a subscription -- especially as I'm only an amateur shooter - not a pro so the expense isn't worth it to sign up to the latest deals from adobe.

Cheers
jimbo

The big problem with Gimp is that everything is where it shouldn't be.

Corona said:

The big problem with Gimp is that everything is where it shouldn't be.

Berton said:

What part of it is "out of kilter"? ... I just have to keep in mind that Windows-based programs tend to follow the same basics, have since back when I started with Win3.1.

The problem with Gimp is that it's heritage is Unix based, and a lot of it feels like it's is in the 'wrong' place to a Windows user.

Me, I use PaintShop Pro

That's not it at all. It's not Unix vs. Windows. The tools and menus could be made nearly identical to those in Photoshop. But they're not. To paraphrase what Corona said, everything is in a different place. The tools are different. The menus are different.

With gimp I have to relearn everything. It's painful.

So clearly they weren't trying to appeal to Photoshop users.

Fortunately most of my editing is at home with Photoshop, and I only occasionally do so at work in gimp.

If the latter were not the case I'd press them to pay for Photoshop. It's only a few hundred bucks and well worth it.

jimbo45 said:

Hi folks

especially since Photoshop became "subscription" I'd suggest if you want something that has improved beyond all recognition recently, is Free, available on Windows and Linux (and Macbooks too I think) have a look at the GIMP.

Has things like layers, filters effects etc etc

While it won't replace a professional photographers need for something like photoshop it will probably suffice for serious amateur "shooters"

I'm quite impressed with recent versions

I'm using it on a Linux VM -- well worth a look at -- and it is downloadable for Windows as well. Same GUI etc.



I still also have the last non subscription version of PS CS6 13.0.1 for comparison but I'm getting very impressed with the GIMP -- also needs a bit of "learning time" too.

(I HATE mobile phone cameras --that's not photography -- those things are just for taking snaps / recording an accident etc etc).

Cheers
jimbo

Started using Gimp acouple of months ago for the same reasons.
It does require some learning but there are tutorials out there.
I have installed a version of Gimp modified by a reputable Gimp user, Partha (found here).
The modifications made by Partha allows for easy install and use of plug-in filters such as Google NIK Collection (i use the old free version, that is still available).
It is possible to make these modifications yourself, but i haven't had the time to try it out myself.

Gimp has become a really good, free alternative to Photoshop.