Looking for a simple, free photo editing program

If this were my decision I'd stick with the one that has a free trial basis (PSE for instance) because I'd be more effective with introducing the basics.

FastStone that we are always discussing includes a very simple, easy to understand, but very good photo editor.

It is definitely FREE and I recommend it all the time.

I also recommend Picture Window Pro; it is super easy and very good and FREE.

www.dl-c.com/Downloads.html

www.dl-c.com/forums/index.php

FREE version 7 --- get all the other free stuff on this page as it is all good.

www.dl-c.com/site/downloads/

I think you should stay with PSE. Since your demonstration is about the basics, you will be explaining and showing things like cropping, sharpening, color correction, etc. It doesn’t matter what editing software is used, all should be able to do the basics. And, of course, not all editing software is available in both Windows and Mac. Good luck Clive and be prepared for the first question, "what about raw"?

Thanks to you all.

I did download GIMP, but it's not familiar territory for me and it will just be a demonstration...if we do a demo at all. The forecast now says Saturday afternoon should be dry.   

Tpgettys thanks for starting the feedback and suggesting GIMP. Yes, "the learning curve may be too steep"

Sepiana summed it up best. 

I like safe territory. 

Agreed!

PeteB "what about raw." I suspect the attendees are not ready for raw. The raw-jpeg discussion is already in one of the PowerPoint presentations so we will discuss ... briefly.  

BuckSkin said,  FastStone that we are always discussing includes a very simple, easy to understand, but very good photo editor. I've used FastStone for about one year when you first mentioned it (thanks!) and use it for fast previewing a new set of images. It's great and I use it to quickly skim though a newly downloaded images. I never looked into the editor but just did a quick test. Looks very straight forward for basic editing.

But I will stick with the editing demonstration editing using PSE! 

Thanks all. Great help! 

Clive
   

Hopefully you have a pretty good idea of the computer literacy of your attendees and their interest but I would probably err on the side of caution and go with something like Gimp than PSE, even with its free trial, especially since you say most wouldn't be interested in buying something like that anyway.

PSE with all its tools icons and menu options might be a bit too daunting and cumbersome for anyone who has never used anything like it before and so they might not get the most benefit from the basics you will be showing them.

Good luck :-)

Thanks for all of your suggestions. 

The class went well. All nine who signed up, showed up. We covered composition, lighting and technical stuff from 10 'til 12:30 and then editing basics from 1:30 to 3:30. (There was light rain all day, so an outing was not possible.) 

I did use PSE 2021 for the demos and we more or less covered some basic editing techniques. 

One downside of demonstrating PSE with a digital projector (and screen) is that the PSE interface (?) text and icons are so small when projected. Good thing we were a small group. Apparently, in Zoom you can share a computer screen with others in the Zoom meeting, here.  So if we do this again, attendees can bring a laptop and we can hold a Zoom mtg and then everyone can follow along on their own screens. I'd love to try this. There is Wi-Fi in the hall so everyone can connect their laptops. Comments about this Zoom feature are welcome. (I like the personal contact, but gosh you could hold a tutorial/demo online with attendees at home. Hummmm....) 

Thanks again. 

Clive

A good time was had by all. One highlight was there had been a 50th wedding anniversary gathering the evening before and there were a lot of chocolate brownies left over. Naturally, it would have been a shame to see them go to waste .. so a few went to my waist. )  


The PSE interface was so small on the projector screen.