The major difference between GIMP and Photoshop is that one is freeware and the other is produced by Adobe and costs several hundred dollars. That fact alone is often enough to send people running to GIMP.org to download their free photo editing software.

Before I say anything further, let me just mention that both pieces of software do edit photos spectacularly. Both have the ability to create layers and blend them effectively which is the main criteria to edit photos. You can combine images, adjust sharpness and saturation, color correct, composite and generally do most creative projects. Both programs have the ability to use brushes, patterns, filters and selection tools. Their similarities vastly overshadow their differences.

Let me also say that the differences I am about to point out are mostly a matter of taste. I worked with Photoshop for five years in college before picking up GIMP for a year at my first teaching job. We have since had a newer version of Photoshop put on our computers so I have now taught several of the same projects on both GIMP and Photoshop. I'm sure I have not found all the tricks or abilities of either program (in fact my kids come up with new ways of doing things every day) so if I make errors in my comparisons, please message me and I will correct it!

While both programs have layers, there are two major differences I have noticed between how these programs use use layers. For both differences, I have to say that Photoshop has the advantage.

The first difference is the way new layers are created. When a photograph is copied and pasted into Photoshop, it is automatically made into a new layer. By contrast, a pasted object in GIMP is made into a "floating selection" which then must be turned into a new layer by either selecting "new layer" from the layers menu or actually going into the layers window and clicking on the new layer button. If the "floating selection" is not turned into a new layer, the next time something is pasted into the image, the "floating selection" flattens onto the background. This may not sound horribly annoying, but having taught many projects to students using layers and compositing, I find this to be the most significant drawback to GIMP.

The second difference is the "blending options" on Photoshop. These appear to be non-existant on GIMP or they have been hidden so cleverly that I cannot find them. In the layers window of Photoshop, one of the right-click options on the layers is to use "blending options." These allow all manner of effects such as a drop shadow or a three-dimensional effect to be placed on a layer and are espceially valuable when using the text tool.

For the brush tool, I have noticed, again, two major differences. This time, however, one point goes to each.

The brush tool in GIMP has this cool little feature that allows you to use color "from gradient." This is really neat because it allows the brush tool to fade from the foreground to the background color and even lets you control how quickly you do so. I like to use that feature when making color wheels in class since the kids can see how one color fades into another.

Photoshop, however, has a plethora of brushes and patterns that can be downloaded for free on the internet. I believe it is possible to download brushes for GIMP as well, but I have found the Photoshop brushes very easily and with a great variety.

One major difference between the two programs is how they are set up. GIMP operates as several individual windows while Photoshop contains all of the windows within a larger program window. This is an advantage for GIMP because you only need to have as many windows open as you like, but a disadvantage because it can be tough to keep track of all your windows once they consolidate at the bottom of your browser.

Over all I would say that both programs are effective and useful. It is all a matter of taste and availability. So find a photoeditor and go have fun!!