What do you use PaintShop Pro for?

I use PaintShop Pro exclusively for all my editing needs – everything from basic retouching to multiple layer conceptual art pieces.

How did you get started in photography or art?

I have had a camera in my hands as long as I can remember, but I ended up doing this professionally somewhat by accident. I had a chance encounter with a local acting coach who asked me to do headshots for a book she was writing. One thing led to another and a photography business was born. The art side of things came later as I started to embrace the power of PaintShop Pro for creating the elaborate scenes I had in my head.

Describe your style?

My images tell stories. My goal is for a viewer looking at my images to pick up the basic story and long for more. As such, many of my art pieces capture a moment from that story – almost a still frame from within a movie in my head.

What inspires your photography or art?

I am inspired by the rich worlds of fantasy and mythology the most – everything from the ancient world mythologies to the fairy tales of the Dark Ages and all the way through modern day fantasy novels, movies, and comic books. I also look forward to Halloween season every year – as co-producer of a haunted house, sometimes my art can take a dark turn as well.

How long have you been using PaintShop Pro for and why PaintShop Pro?

I have used PaintShop Pro since the early 1990’s. We needed image editing software to support our software development needs. When I started doing digital photography around 2005, it seemed a natural progression for me to use the tools I knew to edit photos as well. That familiarity with the tools and interface is why I continue to use it. PaintShop Pro is extremely powerful and it does everything I need it to do.

What is your favorite feature in PaintShop Pro?

Picking a favorite feature is almost like picking a favorite child. I probably use the layers abilities the most but I also make extensive use of the photo retouching tools like the Blemish Remover, Scratch Remover, and Push Brush. The scripting language is extremely powerful and I have several that I have written over the years to make my workflow smoother. It’s ability to use third party plug-ins is one of the features that keeps it the most competitive.

Why should others try PaintShop Pro?

PaintShop Pro is fast, flexible, and intuitive. It is not locked into a subscription model which forces updates on you at the most inopportune times – you can upgrade when it is convenient to you. The features available keep up with the competition. And all of that is done at a price point that is hard to believe. For me, PaintShop Pro is not an alternative to similar products. It is my solution to my needs.