Just wondering what every one thinks is the best editing software for a somewhat beginer. With a resonable price.

Funny, several people have asked me that. Here's what I think, in increasing order of price:

Free - (sort of): the software that came with your camera. Not the case for the good Nikon image editor unless you have a high-end camera

Free: GIMP and other downloadable freewares. A lot of people use it and find that it meets most, if not all, of their needs

About $70: Adobe Photoshop Elements: this probably offers the best value for money for a beginner. It features all of the basic image-editing functions you need with a user-friendly interface along with image library management, which becomes increasingly useful as your hard disk(s) fill up with images

About $150: DxO Optics 5.3, the control freak's dream. Very technical, rather clunky, but an absolute must if you shoot architecture or in RAW. Has some amazing functions - if you learn how to use them. Available in mac and windows versions

About $200: Adobe Lightroom 2.3, the pro's and semi-pro's basic workhorse: excellent image library management, fantastic basic and detailed editing functions and seamless integration with Photoshop and now an increasing number of third-party plug-ins. The interface is easy to grasp and ergonomic. At the same level is Apple's Aperture. Although a mac user myself, I feel happier with LR because I work on both platforms and need the integration with Photoshop.

About $700: Photoshop CS4 (not the extended version). This is industry standard for all image editing. I wouldn't advise for a beginner; it's a bit like using a Formula 1 car to go shopping. CS4 is much easier to use than CS3, but requires a serious time and money investment to get the best out of your photos.

The best all-rounder in my opinion is Lightroom, followed by Elements if money is tight. Also, Marten Evening and Scott Kelby have written excellent books on how to get the most out of them. ME wrote the definitive bible. SK dumbs things down very well, but thinks he's funny.

got photoshop free? of utorrent

You didn't mention what camera you use but in a lot of cases the editing system that came with you camera can take care of most of your needs. I have a Sony Alpha 100 and the Sony program is the one I use the most. For HDR, Photomatrix Pro 3 is inexpensive and does a great job for me. I do have Photoshop CS3 but have a rough time using it. I guess if I used it more I'd get better with it. It can be confusing. It is like taking an F-1 car to go shopping at the mall for most shots. I try to take into account the corrections I'm making post shooting so that I can make in camera adjustments next time I go out. Good look and shoot a lot.