[cw-discuss] Photoshop CS3

[Robert Smits]

On December 13, 2007 11:09:14 am Derek Fountain wrote:
> > I asked if there was anything special about Photoshop over the Gimp -
> > and the only thing I have been told so far is support for CYMK, but as
> > we have seen, you can get that functionality by adding a plug-in.
>
> I think the problem is that asking what's special about Photoshop
> compared to the GIMP is, sincerely meaning no disrespect, a daft
> question. It's only asked by people who don't know much about Photoshop,
> and who don't want to go much beyond adjusting levels on their photos.
>
> There is an absolute world of difference between them. I've just
> finished using Photoshop for 2 photos. Off the top of my head, here's
> what I absolutely needed that I don't think is in GIMP:

I think you're right on the money here, Derek. There are at least three levels 
at which image manipulation programs are needed. 

The most basic is a simple need to remove red-eye, crop, set levels and 
amalgamate some pictures. For this, I find Photoshop Elements works well, and 
Elements 2 installs just fine with CrossOver Linux. 

For more intermediate users, even "serious" amateur photographers, GIMP 
(despite its unfortunate name) will do. There is, however a 
substantial "learning curve" if you are already used to Photoshop, and there 
is little training material easily available (although I saw the previous 
post, thanks, John). 

Only some of the Linux magazines really cover GIMP at all, certainly not the 
usual TV shows like The Lab spend any time on the GIMP, so unless you're into 
Linux you'll get little exposure to it. A pity. 

For the really demanding user, who's using it to do real work, Photoshop has 
become the defacto standard among photographers and other graphic artists. 
There simply is nothing else that is as readily accepted as the tool of 
choice, despite the fact it's proprietary software and VERY expensive, and 
doesn't run on my system.

GIMP developers and users, who are a strange lot if you judge them by the more 
rabid fanboys on the GIMP list, are really hostile to being compared to 
Photoshop, and absolutely growl at anyone who has the termerity to ask about 
GIMPShop, or wonder if they couldn't choose a less offensive (to some) 
acronym for the name.

That said they've developed an amazing product for a voluntary collaboration, 
and they deserve a lot of credit and thanks from the open-source community 
for creating it. I use it a lot.  

-- 
Bob Smits bob at rsmits.ca 
Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your 
living room by people you wouldn't have in your home...David Frost