Best photo editing programes.

I always recommend Irfanview  which is free to download and will do most things you are likely to need. All the photos on my website are edited with this program. When I got my Canon DSLR many years ago It came with Canon's own photo editing software on a CD but I don't know if its still available but might be worth having a Google first. I have also use Adobe Elements but found it much more long winded than Irfanview. Probably the best approach is to download one of the free editing suites and see how you get on before investing mega bucks for a pay software.

David

What are the sort of things you can do on these type of programmes that are not already available on microsoft edit/paint etc? 

I use Picasa and have done for a number of years.  Unfortunately it still works but as it has been overtaken by Google photos it is no longer updated.

Adobe Photoshop is the best I've ever come across.  Slightly more expensive than the others but very comprehensive. 

K

Thank you for your replies, had a rumidge around some of my old software disc and found the originals for my EOS camara, alas not all software supported. Will have a look at your recommendation David. Thank you.

If you shoot in RAW, which gives you so much more control, then LightRoom is fantastic.  You can buy either the stand alone desktop version or the cloud based one or get it as part of the Photoshop CC suite.

I use Paint.Net is an opensource free program and can add plugins for different features. https://www.getpaint.net/

A bit of a learning curve but worth it!

I have Adobe Photoshop CS6, but quite honestly it really is 'overkill' for the amateur photographer, who would only use a fraction of its capability. I bought it when I was into serious astro imaging (not with a DSLR, but dedicated astro cameras) which required complex processing.

As such, I now rarely use it, much preferring to use Adobe Photoshop Elements (now 2018 version). IMO, it is one of the best processing packages for the amateur photographer, having three levels of processing, 'Quick', 'Guided', and 'Expert. It also includes an excellent cataloguing program.

I also have Adobe Lightroom, but this is primarily aimed at professional photographers, who need to quickly batch process a large number of images. For example, Wedding, and Cruise Ship photographers.

There are of course a number of 'freebie' programs, but they are quite basic in what they can do, which for some people may be all they need.

I also use Photoshop Elements but version 14 (2015/16), it has all the editing features you would need. The photo cataloguing must be one of the best where you can personalise it to your hearts content.

Irfanview is what it is, OK for quick easy simple edits but limited if you want to take editing more seriously.

Paint.net is also very good for a free programme, but interface a bit confusing.

I use Windows 10, with 28" touchscreen which is only partially supported by Elements.

Apart from cropping and resizing I don't tend to edit/manipulate my photos so freebie tools are sufficient