Digital Imaging question

[randhail]

Hey guys, I haven't been around too long here, but I've been here enough to realize that you are pretty good at giving advice on nearly anything.

Anyways, I just got a new computer - HP 100GB, 512 ram, forget the processor speed - and I'm looking to get some digital imaging software. What is the best value out there? Keep in mind that I'm a complete novice at this type of thing so a professional program, while nice, would probably be wasted on me.

I've read up on Adobe elements and it seems to be pretty good. Any thoughts? Also, should I bite the bullet and buy the software legitamately or go through bit torrents? Has anyone gotten software from bit torrents and has it worked well?

Many thanks for any help!!!

 

[Sicy]

Photoshop 7.0 is great, and what I use for a lot of things.

 

[Liesje]

I've had Photoshop 7 for years and really never have time to figure it all out even though it's amazing. My boss who's been into photography for over 30 years just recommended this freeware put out by Google, Picasa, and both of us have been using it daily. Give Picasa a try if you don't want to spend hundreds on Photoshop right away.

 

[Bonochick]

I ULead's PhotoImpact. I have a pretty outdated version, and I still adore it. I wonder what a newer version is like.

 

[Diemen]

Photoshop is top dog as far as digital imaging goes. I have CS, and want CS2 badly. It's awesome.


And damn expensive.

 

[Queen Bee]

Photoshop CS2 is my drug of choice

 

[nbcrusader]

Microsoft Digital Image is less powerful but easier to use than Photoshop.