Can anyone recommend an easy to use program for

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

digital photographs?

I am an absolute beginner and basically need something that will make it easier to upload and e-mail photos along with getting rid of red-eye, etc. I would also like to be able to make avatars.

I've checked out the Adobe site but as I said above, I really am totally clueless when it comes to this stuff.

Also I don't have a whole lot of money to spend either.

Thanks in advance.

[Berserker]

1. I have been

using PaintShop pro7 for a few years and I think it's a great program. It sells for around $100.00. You might also want to check out a free program called Irfanview http://www.irfanview.com/

[ConsAreLiars]

2. Irfanview is a good first step

As Berserker says, it is free (donate if you wish) and does a lot of what you might want (size and red-eye reduction) without the kind of complexity or learning curve or price hurdles presented by more complex programs. If you find, after using Irfanview, you need more specialized tools, you will have gained the experience you need to choose the most appropriate of the more pricey options.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

3. Thanks for the recommendation.

I downloaded it this morning and it seems to fit the bill for now.

After I cut my teeth on this, I might take the plunge and buy something a little more complex.

Thanks again.

:hi: :hi:

[bvar22]

4. PowerToys for WinXP

includes a great little utility for instant resizing of pics.

Right click on an image in Windows Explorer, choose resize from the menu, and instantly resize without destroying the original.

I use a graphics program for most of my resizing, but the utility is great for attaching a more manageable pic to an E-Mail or quick upload on the fly.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

[Squeegee]

5. Paint.NET

I don't know how easy it is to use, but Paint.NET is a good high quality program, and it's free.

[Nite Owl]

6. I don't know if this is what you want

it downloads and organizes your pics and sends email, takes care of the red eye and crops. Also, you can do some very interesting effects.

www.picasa.com

It's from Google and the best thing it's free!
I'm very tecnically challenged and it's easy for me. It's their second edition, I think the first was something like $30 and now it's better and no charge.

[idiosyncratic]

7. I have been using Corel PhotoPaint for years

It is almost as sophisticated -- should you advance that far as you learn -- as Adobe's Photoshop, but is much less expensive.

I bought an older version of CorelDraw/Corel PhotoPaint on eBay. I'm still using Version 7 and it is great.

[alfredo]

8. Didn't you get some with your camera?

If you got a CD with it, look to see if there are some programs for those tasks.