Hi All,

I have a new intel based MBP with 4 gig of ram. I am wanting to buy a really good photo manipulation software package however I have no clue what is the best one to purchase. I would love to find something that is open source if at all possible, I take a ton of pics on my travels for work and I would love to be able to get crazy with them or merge them when that would be appropriate. Any and all suggestions are most appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi itisme25, welcome to the forums.


For premium software: Adobe Photoshop CS3

For open source: The Gimp ( http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ )

Photoshop is excellent, I use it for everything image editing-wise.


- James.

If you're going to do actual 'editing-editing' you want Photoshop. However if you're just going to adjust lighting issues and correct hues Apple's Aperture and Adobe's Lightroom will work.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses! I did download GIMP and I have x11 running on my MBP and everytime I go to edit a photo GIMP just shuts down and quits. Anyone have any ideas on this? I am fixing to go and see if there is some update for the x11 that I dont have. Hopefully that will resolve the problem.


I will be doing "editing-editing" playing with layers adding and removing things from the image and stitching multiple photo's together to get a panaramic photo

Once I downloaded the updated X11 GIMP started working

i really would suggest photoshop, it is way deeper and complexer than any other program. If you really want the best for extreme-advanced photo editing, than go for photoshop.

Pixelmator looks good, though I haven't used it.

all depends on your needs. If you're into super editing and need every ability ever made, photoshop is great. I use gimp mostly, can't go wrong with it (mainly cause its free and does alot of stuff)

i really like aperture for quick editing

I have no idea,but I also want to know it

iPhoto 09 will allow you to do just about any post/correction you could ever want. If you want to get more into composition, Gimp and Photoshop.

If you don't envision yourself doing a lot of detailed text work with your photos, just download Gimp (fossfor.us has a Leopard build) and go to town. The only thing Gimp is really lacking from PS nowadays (for photo/web use) is vector text.