show off and make software recommendations please

[R&J]

I want to further my skills and experience with digital photography.
I have digital SLR and now want to learn more about the processes that can be done on my PC.
what are your reccomendations for the tools to

1. blend pictures ie to make a panorama
2. superimpose one picture on to another
3. special effect like infra red (can this be done at PC stage?)
4. adding tex to a picture
5. capturing a style of writing IE lettering outside a cinema, and reproducing it to form additional words

I hear a lot on PH about Photoshop, is this King when it comes to this type of thing or will I need many different programs?

Your help in entering this whole new world of photography is much needed and greatly appreciated.

please post some of your "photoshop" delight and some details of the process & software

Thanks

[speedychrissie]

if you want easy software for stitching panoramics, autostitch is very good.
both of these were done with autostitch with no additional blending required.

this is 5 pictures stitched together


this is 9 pictures:

[GetCarter]

I guess 99% of pro digital photographers use Phoitoshop for post processing. It'll do almost anything you want... but has a steep learning curve and is expensive (Bootleg copies on E bay mind!)

Paint Shop Pro is a lot cheaper, easier and does about 90% of Photoshop (but photoshop does everything 10% better)

[R&J]

I've seen so many versions of Photoshop for sale;
is there any where that can give me a comparison,
or the more you spend the better it is?

[miniman]

R J said:

I've seen so many versions of Photoshop for sale;
is there any where that can give me a comparison,
or the more you spend the better it is?

The current version is Photoshop CS2 (Version 9) - I've just upgraded to this and am yet to use any of the newer features that weren't already in Version 7. I would say that V7 would be fine to get started with if you can find it cheaper than the latest.

Edited by miniman on Saturday 28th October 18:21

[s500]

Not the choice for the serious but good for beginners and it's free!

http://picasa.google.com/

[Zad]

A word of caution about Photoshop though, the learning curve is horrendous. Like most heavy duty industrial tools, it is amazingly powerful and capable, but an absolute bugger to learn to drive.

[speedychrissie]

not that i am condoning it, but....

you can download a cracked version for free

Edited by speedychrissie on Saturday 28th October 19:42

[andybuk99]

download the gimp in the meantime before forking out for photoshop. it is a freeware alternative and it is highly recommended for people who dont want to spend the cash on photochop

[R&J]

just been playing and learning
I'm having trouble getting to grips with Gimp and Inkscape, I guess I need to learn more before I tackle Photoshop, or will I learn the wrong processes?
thanks to all for your help so far

a "convenient fire" at the weekend




this was 13 pictures and my first autostitch

[oggs]

well done mate, better than what I can do

Let me know when you want to "Buy" PS

[R&J]

Dave YHM