help me buy photo software

[scarleta]

I wonder if anyone can recommend a photo software that is easy to use.Also on a market for a printer so I can print photos.Also what to look for when buying a monitor.Ours is a bit outdated and its "on its last leg"so need to replace it before its gone.Thanks a lot.

 

[strmrdr]

software: photoshop elements 7

monitor: 8bit color lcd aka 16.7 million colors

printers: epson or canon photo printer.

 

[strmrdr]

Epson Stylus Photo R280 or canon PIXMA iP4600

 

[pennquaker09]

I''m more of a Lexmark or HP person when it comes to printers. Do you plan to primarily use your printer for photos or would you like for it to do other things as well? Also, what is your budget?

And then as strmrdr said, an LCD monitor would be the best purchase. I think the Dell monitors are highly rated and the HP monitors are great as well.

I wouldn''t be a great help with photo software because I use the generic program that came with my computer. I''m not much of a photo person. However, when I did yearbook in high school and college, I because very well versed with Photoshop (the full version) and it does everything imaginable. It also costs an arm and a leg.

 

[scarleta]

Thanks Karl: is the photoshop elements 7 relatively easy to use?
do you know how much should I expect to pay for the software?and the hardware? Thanks

Thanks pennquaker09:I have 2 printers already and they work well for me ( quite old, cheap to maintain) but they can''t print photos.One is all in one fax,copy,scan and print.It does all the above well but photo not so well.One is just a printer and works fine.
If I could get a newer printer all in one ( not too costly to buy/maintain)then I would get it, otherwise maybe just one that prints photos? Not sure because I don''t print that many just occasionally one or two.So it would depend on the price.I know we should update our equipment, but for most part it all works.
As for my generic photo software I use it as well but sometimes can''t get it to do what I want it to do.
I expect that some will go on sale so I would like to be ready.
Thanks a lot.

 

[PrincessDijon]

Ive used Paint Shop Pro by Corel and it has been pretty easy to use IMHO.

 

[Eva17]

i find adobe elements to be quite easy.

 

[pennquaker09]

Photoshop Elements retails for $140.00. Verses about $700 plus for the full version of Photoshop.

If it were me, I would probably get rid (sell) of the two existing printers and upgrade to an new all in one. I would look at HP, Lexmark, and Canon in that order. I''ve never met an Epson that wasn''t prone to CONSTANT paper jams. Canon''s also have that problem.

Here are two good monitors for you. HP Widescreen

Dell Widescreen

 

[scarleta]

pennquaker09:
Thanks for your recommendation.
Got the HP monitor W 2007.the best is that I bought it from someone who got it in a package and did not need it so the price was great for a brand new product.
Now looking to get the printer still not sure on this one.
I have 2 already ( no one would buy as they are old) working perfectly , but not for photos.
So I am thinking to get one like Storm recommended just for photos.I don''t print too many so I don''t need anything sophisticated or expensive.
It was easy to make the decision to get this monitor because you provided me with a good link.Thanks

 

[gemgirl]

We''ve always had HP printers and we''ve been happy with their performance. They''re not very expensive either.

 

[scarleta]

gemgirl: thanks, I had to return HP all in one.After reading reviews on it I never took it out of its box.Maybe that particular model? My (very old HP) is great but can''t print photos.

 

[TravelingGal]

I am not sure if Adobe really runs a lot of promos on their software. Corel is probably a bit more aggressive with Paint Shop Pro. I should really try to use it but I was trained in Photo Impact (which is now sold by Nova) so I haven''t bothered with the copy that I got from Corel. If you live near a Fry''s, they often run aggressive promos with Corel. Also Newegg and Amazon would be two others to keep an eye on.

 

[scarleta]

Thanks TG: will consider all options.Promos on the software I can definitely do without.