Not because I take pictures, but because I edit them frequently - to go in my pen encyclopedia - a couple of folks have recommended that I consider using Photoshop. I know nothing about it, and would like some comments as to ease of use from users, please. Thanks!

I use Photoshop frequently, but would not consider it easy to use. It is also a fairly expensive application. For basic image work (cropping, resizing, basic color adjustments) I would recommend Irfanview or GIMP.

If I had not learned (and bought) PS years ago for work, I would not use it today for the basics.

Regards, greg

The full blown Photoshop program is a monster, in every way. Big price, huge learning curve, packed with stuff that you will probably never use. That last I did not say because I am making a comment on your use. The thing is, it is one of those programs that is packed to the gills to try and make sure that it has what nearly anyone would want. Which, of course, means that it has a whole lot more than anyone could ever realistically use. There is a "Photoshop Elements" though which has many of the same features and is a fraction of the price. It is given away free as part of the bundle with several scanners.
The best way to learn what it will do is simply to start out by playing with it and going over the menus. There are lots of good books you can even get from the library on how to use it in more depth.

I agree, Photoshop is extremely powerful, expensive, and takes major commitment to learn to use effectively. It can do things others can't, so if you need it, you need it. If you need to do major touchup/repair of photographs, I would recommend it.

I use and recommend Irfanview for simpler things (it's free, too!!) Great for basic file type conversion, cropping resizing, brightness/contrast/gamma, minor color adjustments, and minor retouching (find a nearby pixel the right color, suck into eyedropper, and cover white or black dead pixels, repair redeye, etc). It does not have the power to clone/feather areas of background to cover major unwanted elements; that is the province of Photoshop (well that, and completely falsifying the image.)

95% percent of the time, I use Irfanview, then I struggle to remmeber how to use Photoshop when I need it. It is one of those "can't live with it, can't live without it" love/hate relationships.

Photoshop is not easy to use.
If you know nothing about image editing though, none of them will be easy. Like anything else, takes learning.
I am another one who uses GIMP. I prefer Paint Shop Pro v8, as it is what I have used the most. But I'm on
a linux system now and the GIMP is what I have available. It's a very nice program, just different from my beloved PSP 8.
The GIMP is free...