Gimp VS Photoshop...Fight of the Picture Tools!

Ok so I chose two photo-editing and image enhancement software tools: GIMP and Adobe's Photoshop. GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program, can be easily compared to the widely known Adobe Photoshop. Aside from cost, GIMP and Photoshop are very similar. However, although there is a sizeable market for Photoshop, I read somewhere that GIMP users swear by the scope and wide-ranging flexibility that it offers them. I think I agree. While I’ve used GIMP more that Photoshop (I've used GIMP for 2 years now and I just downloaded Photoshop this week) I honestly prefer GIMP because I think it’s more than an ‘image manipulation’ tool, it’s very versatile, and it’s free! 

I think the best feature that GIMP can offer is its customization – which is the epitome of the open software movement.  With GIMP, users can develop personalized scripts and commands that can render the user’s desired effect. This is mostly for image layers and enhancements. All one has to do is take the time to figure out what they desire, look up similar effects online, and bam! The user can customize their tool and image at the same time. This is genius, and it’s free. 

Now, I’m not saying Photoshop doesn’t offer the same thing. Actually, it does – but at a price. Photoshop charges for every object layer and enhancement (or action) based on your desired look. Some of these are free, like red-eye removal.  Some well-known photography schools like the Digital Photography School online even offer free actions; however, more advanced layers and actions are not free.

One other feature that I forgot to mention is that GIMP is a bit more user friendly than Photoshop. I’ll admit, I felt pretty awkward using both tools at first, but I found that the more I used GIMP the more I wanted to learn how to use it. I don’t recall feeling the same way about Photoshop. I also felt like GIMP had more high-performance features like a better gradient tool and definitely a better ink tool. GIMP had drag handles for both rectangle/ellipse select tools, which made it a bit more comfortable to use than Photoshop. GIMP definitely made for quicker and more intuitive use.

Before I go on, the gradient tool allows you to create nice color fill with smooth color changing effects. The ink tool creates the simulation of an ink pen with a controllable nib to paint solid brush strokes which allows you to create intricate drawings. I really like this inking tutorial.

Gradient Tool Example - see the different colors in the sky and how well they blend together? That's what the tool can do.

So, I'm not saying Photoshop is not good as a technical tool. It is, but the price tag is obscene. The only reason I was able to get access to Photoshop is because I downloaded the free trial. Otherwise, I would NOT have purchased it and I would have been forced to pick other tools to compare...bummer! Anyhow, I feel like GIMP wins hands down because it’s very similar to Photoshop, it’s versatile where Photoshop is not, and most importantly it’s free. I can do basically the same thing with both programs at no charge. Sign me up!