skymama 37 #1 October 17, 2002 My boss wants to do some fancy photo stuff for potential new customers (we're homebuilders). He wants to be able to use the digital to take a picture of the customers, a picture of their lot and a picture of the exterior of their house and blend them all together to show them standing outside the front of their house on their lot. Kind of a cutsie picture for them to say, "oh, that's what our house would look like, sure we'll sign that $800,000 contract!" Is this possible, and what is the cheapest editing software I can buy to do it that is also user friendly? I just saw a guy on tv talking about Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2. Anyone use that? Also, he recommended two photo printers that supposedly work great for under $100- the Canon i320 and the Epson Stylus Photo 820. If anyone has any comments about those, I'd appreciate it too. Thanks!She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christoofar 0 #2 October 17, 2002 The Epson printer is more reliable of the two I've found... but before I would buy one, goto Google Groups and search for comments people have posted on both printers. Also check to see what kind of service you can get in your area before you buy one of these things... if it konks out, how long would you have to wait for a repair or RMA? ____________________________________________________________ I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 October 17, 2002 If you're willing to take a little time and spend a little money, use Adobe Photoshop. You could put their stuff on their lot and it would look like it was actually built there (if you know how to use photoshop well).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #4 October 17, 2002 Is it possible? Sure. I do that kind of stuff all the time. I use Photoshop, but I don't know if I would call it user friendly. It takes a while to get used to all the tools. But in my opinion, it works the best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #5 October 17, 2002 bos?!?!?!? hahhah that's a funny one.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #6 October 17, 2002 Yeah, I'm not what you would call a computer techie. If someone showed me what to do, I could probably figure it out. But, I'm not sure that I could on my own. That's why I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the Adobe Elements program, because the guy said it was like Photoshop, but much easier.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 October 17, 2002 Yes, I do actually have a BOSS that I report to, who happens to be my dad. And, he's also told me he would have no problem firing me if I didn't pull MY (happy, Dave? ) weight too! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 October 17, 2002 Anything that is "easier" won't have the ability to do some of the harder stuff. As for being shown how to do something with Photoshop, there are tons of books that will walk you through step by step on how to accomplish some of the harder (and some of the easier) tricks. Go to Barnes and Nobles, get some coffee, pull out your notebook, sitdown with one of those books and learn. You don't even have to pay the $40+ for the book. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 October 17, 2002 Quoteif I didn't pull me weight too *seeing skymama pulling against a rope tied around a "me weight."--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #10 October 17, 2002 paint shop pro from jasc works great. has most of the features that a relative newbie needs from photo shop without the big price tag. you get a two month un-crippled trial for free (it says one month, but for some reason works for 60 days). check it out!"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #11 October 17, 2002 Yes it is possible, and not very hard either (at least in Photoshop)... I have not used Elements 2, but I think it has the features to do it. Photoshop LE comes with alot of scanners and Digital cameras so you may be able to come by it cheap... The epson printer is the better bet. JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #12 October 17, 2002 QuoteThe epson printer is the better bet A lot of the epson printers I've seen leave "tracks" on the pictures from the rollers moving the paper along. Never noticed that with HP's stuff, but that could have been just those printers (although it was around a dozen different epsons).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #13 October 17, 2002 on mine, that only happens when it gets dirty.All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 #14 October 17, 2002 >Also check to see what kind of service you can get in your area before you buy one of >these things... if it konks out, how long would you have to wait for a repair or RMA? I doubt you'll find any repair available on inkjet printers. Typically, if the machine is still under warranty, the manufacturer will replace it. It's up to the user to foot the bill to return it. Some OEM's have an express replacement - they will send you another unit (not necessarily new) and you return your defective unit in the same box. HP used to have a deal worked out with Mail Boxes Etc. to handle the shipping (don't know if they still do that or not and I believe it depends on the model printer you have) Most local repair companies don't mess with them. With labor rates at around $85 per hour, inkjet printers are mostly considered disposable now. Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 October 17, 2002 QuoteMost local repair companies don't mess with them. With labor rates at around $85 per hour, inkjet printers are mostly considered disposable now Yeah, you can get a seriously squared away InkJet for $300.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #16 October 17, 2002 I second Paint Shop Pro By Jasc... a great program... 80% of the power of Photoshop for about 25% of the price... it will easily handle the task you're looking at. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #17 October 17, 2002 QuoteMy boss wants to do some fancy photo stuff for potential new customers (we're homebuilders). He wants to be able to use the digital to take a picture of the customers, a picture of their lot and a picture of the exterior of their house and blend them all together to show them standing outside the front of their house on their lot. Kind of a cutsie picture for them to say, "oh, that's what our house would look like, sure we'll sign that $800,000 contract!" Is this possible, and what is the cheapest editing software I can buy to do it that is also user friendly? I just saw a guy on tv talking about Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2. Anyone use that? Also, he recommended two photo printers that supposedly work great for under $100- the Canon i320 and the Epson Stylus Photo 820. If anyone has any comments about those, I'd appreciate it too. Thanks! i would avoid the epson printers for photo printing, a good affordable solution is the hp photosmart line, i have the 1215 and it works great with the photo paper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #18 October 17, 2002 I love my Epson printer, it does photos really good if you go into the setup and change the dpi, paper, and select photo realistic. I haven't had any problems with Epson, and mine is not a new one. Couldn't really say which photo editing program is better though. J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #19 October 17, 2002 I think you will have a hard time using Photoshop Elements...it is a lightweight package designed for the consumer. What you are looking to do involves a bit more blending and light source work. The full version of Photoshop is your best bet. With that said, the cut/paste and blending that you will need to do in order to make the finished photo look real is pretty high end work. I doubt your boss will be able to make it look real at any reasonable level of resolution. You might try finding a local photo artist or quick print shop with an artist that can bang the composite out for you in an hour or two. If you are paying 50.00 per hour you should be able to get the gig done for under 100.00, and with a lot less trouble than learning the program yourself. Likewise, if you have a series of these to do, an experienced artist can knock them out easily, and may even be able to do enhancements that you hadn't thought of. Go with a pro! -tom buchananTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trilete312 0 #20 October 17, 2002 Before buying a printer, make sure that the one you are looking at has separate ink cartridges. Some color printers have 1 cartridge that has all the colors in it. Well, this style stinks. If you print something, company letterhead, that always uses a certain color, then you will run out of that color before the others and you won't be able to replace just that color. We have some HP printers at work like this and it really sucks when you have to replace the whole cartridge because you are out of blue. Printers have gotten so cheap that it is almost cheaper to get a new one instead of buying new ink. Notice I said almost I just got photoshop and it is a bear to learn at first. I only have about 5 days of use and I am still messing with it. Ira ----------- Ready, Set, Gooooooo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewmonst 0 #21 October 17, 2002 I use both photoshop and elements. I like photoshop becuase it has more capability, but for your purpose, elements will work very well. I'm teaching my 7th graders to use elements. If you follow the tutorials on layers, and learn how all the tools work, you'll be able to do what you're trying to do. Elements is a lot easier to learn and user friendly to someone who's never used Adobe programs before. My 7th graders are cutting images of themselves and pasting them into photos with celebrities to make it look like they were there. I have one kid holding the stanley cup, and another girl in a movie promo julia roberts... they're pretty good. Elements is also helpful because it give hints with every tool. good luck, let me know if you have any specific questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewmonst 0 #22 October 17, 2002 oh yeah, if you want, send me one of the house photos and family photos and I'll merge the two and send it back to you... lewmonst@hotmail.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VisionAir 0 #23 October 17, 2002 If your wanting to print out a realistic 4x6 photo that is near identical to a real photo, look into Sony's new digital photo printer that uses dye-sublimation instead of ink jet. Only $200 for the printer and $15 for ink and paper for 25 prints. Found mine at Walmart Supercenter. VERY IMPRESSIVE PRINTS. Huh?!? What cloud?!? Oh that!!! That's just Industrial Haze Alex M. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #24 October 17, 2002 Thanks, Lew, I'll see what I can come up with. But now that you said your 7th graders can do it, I'm going to look like an idiot if I can't figure it out! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #25 December 31, 2002 I'm bumping this thread to let you know about this great, inexpensive photo printer that I got. It's the Canon i320 which does 4 x 6 pictures, and with the rebate I got from Office Max, it only cost $50.00. It's very easy to set up and use (if I'm saying this, it's definitely easy), and the pictures print in vivid color. I tested pictures off the web, from our scanner, and from our digital camera, and all the pictures turned out fine. Just thought I'd pass the info along for anyone else out there looking at printers.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
