Need some guidance on photo editing program for a gift

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

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Hi guys,

My wife currently edits and improves on lots of pics, either scanned in, from the web or freeze framed from a DVD, either way they are just drawings not photos. They are then laminated and then used as a teaching aid for deaf friends and family.

So a lot of the editing is taking words out of a pic and then correcting the pic to fill in the gaps that are left behind, re-drawing parts etc... (We have permission to use the art work in this way so no copyright has been broken, and this is done totally at our own expense)

All that she has been using so far is MS Paint that comes free with the Windows OS, and lately she has become quite good at what she does but is very limited as you can imagine, so can anyone recommend a good art package that would allow her much more control and better tools etc that would help her and allow her to grow in her editing skills, whilst at the same time not being too complicated that she'd not want to use it?

Also a recommendation on any teaching aids like a book or DVD to compliment the software would be great.

It's our 10th wedding anniversary in about 7 weeks so I wanted to surprise her :)

Thanks for any help you can give.
 
Perhaps Photoshop and a graphics tablet?

Sounds like she does a lot of freehand editing so a graphics tablet could make things much easier.

And Photoshop because it's simply the most powerful photo manipulation software. There's barely anything in MS Paint! The potential quality of her work could increase dramatically but don't expect instant results as there are are things you need to learn and master. Because Photoshop does need commitment it might be worth installing the 30-day Photoshop trial 30 days before your anniversary and then if she really likes it surprise her with the full version and a graphics tablet the next day. Photoshop is about £8 per month or something.
 
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There are also a few alternatives to Photoshop that are cheaper or free if you don't fancy committing to Adobe. Remember with CC you never own the software, you rent it. Stop paying and you have nothing.

GIMP - Totally free, open source, very powerful.
Corel Paint Shop Pro - 95% of photoshop for £60.
PAINT.Net - Again free, a more featured MS Paint.
Adobe Photoshop Elements - Cut down version of Photoshop

For a Graphics tablet I'd check out a Wacom, just pick the one that fits your budget.
 
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