Do you want the results of Adobe Photoshop without the high cost of such elite software? The answer to your problems has never been easier: it’s called GIMP.
GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is a free, pubic-domain editing program offering tools and capabilities like unto Adobe Photoshop. Just like Photoshop, GIMP is a program used for digitally creating, editing, and enhancing photographs and graphics. The two programs are not identical, but the main tools featured in Photoshop are also prominently featured in GIMP, thereby replacing the need for Photoshop for many editors around the world.
If both programs can do basically the same things, why is GIMP better than Photoshop?
Because GIMP is free! You can download GIMP, along with how-to tutorials, at no cost to you. There are no hidden fees or catches–ever. Just as Linux is the free version of Microsoft, GIMP is like a free version of Photoshop. But opposed to Linux which can be user-unfriendly and only accessible by those with engineering-smarts, GIMP is fairly straightforward and easy to learn.
Why would people create perfectly good software at no charge?
You can think of it as a public service, or even the application of Adam Smith’s theory of the invisible hand. Everyone helping everyone will benefit everyone. GIMP was created using open source coding, meaning that-for one-no one can ever charge you for it, and likewise, you can never charge anyone else for it. Secondly, open source coding means that any programmer can access the code and make contributions in improving the software. New and improved versions of GIMP are continually being produced as a consequence.
The program can be downloaded from the official GIMP website. After downloading and installing GIMP, you’ll be ready in no time to create digital masterpieces. Some people find it easiest to jump right into new software, gaining familiarity with hands-on learning experiences. Others find it helpful to learn from written-out how-to’s, being able to read descriptions of the various tools and when you might want to use them. For those folks, formal tutorials can be located also on GIMP’s official page.
If you’re undecided on which kind of person you are, I would recommend jumping right into the program to test the waters for yourself, so to speak. You’ll never realize how much you will naturally pick up until you actually just sit down with the program and experiment with some of its various tools. Trial and error will likely get you very far in GIMP. And after you have gained an initial familiarity with the program and its features, I would then recommend looking at some of the tutorials located on the official website and other helpful editing websites. It’s highly likely that someone somewhere has written a tutorial that will interest you. Play around and enjoy yourself.
If you’re not blown away with all that GIMP has to offer, I’d double check your pulse!
