I am using Photoshop CS3 and loving it.

I am not much into editing like fixing colors (cause I don't know how to) but I love cropping them, adding effects, text, etc

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 as well :)  It's cheaper than Photoshop & seems more user-friendly IMO.  I used to do a LOT more with it when my husband was deployed but I haven't done much with it lately.

Now that I have my iPhone I use the Instagram app a TON since I carry my phone more than my camera.  It basically just provides different filters for your pictures, nothing too fancy but literally the easiest way I have found to jazz up pictures in a pinch.

Hey ladies, I am soooo glad you asked this question because I teach Photoshop and PS Elements on my site and I see some of you are using one or the other but don't know how to do all the WONDERFUL things it can do. 

Yes, I teach it to do your scrapbooking but I also teach how to work with your photos.  As a matter of fact I'm writing a lesson right now on just that so go check it out at http://digitalscrapbooklessons.com and let me know what you think.  (BTW this lesson will post in a few hours - about 6:00 AM so wait till then if you're up late - well late my time.)

I use Photoshop and Elements and truthfully they're a LOT alike especially in working with your photos.  Good luck!!  And don't forget to GFC and get my newsletter so you can get reminders to check out all the, of course, wonderful stuff I post for you!! 

Oh, Robin, I cannot believe your friends would tell you that.  Most professional photographers (uh, I think they're taking real photos) use PS at least to some extent so I wouldn't worry about it.

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Robin said ...
I've always used photoshop, and am too lazy to learn how to use anything else! Although my friends bug me and tell me it's not a real photo if it's gone through the photoshop treatment!

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I should add here guys that you can often get PS Elements for really, really cheap.  I got the very latest version (Elements 9) for $49 and you can pick up older versions for as little as $19 (I just found Elements 7 at the local photography store for that price).  There is a bit of a learning curve but I am here to tell you that once you see what you can do (again check out my site) you will absolutely fall in love with the program.  OK, maybe I am a little over the top there but it is a great program and can be had for tiny price tag for all the things it does.  My two cents!!

I just LOVE Photoshop CS5, this little program can do everything!

I love lightroom.  If you are shooting in RAW I think the workflow for processing a photo makes more sense.

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Puna said ...
I'm a big photoshop fan. I am not opposed to trying lightroom though.

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Robin I just read your post, missed it the first time.  If your friends don't think it's a real photo because it hit photoshop, ask them if they think a negative is a real photo or not. :)

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Robin said ...
I've always used photoshop, and am too lazy to learn how to use anything else! Although my friends bug me and tell me it's not a real photo if it's gone through the photoshop treatment!

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Lightroom, Photoshop,Nik fliters and  Topaz are all used not all on the same image. Depends what I envision!