Originally posted by dudlew PSP may have sufficed, but I havent seen, through my light browsing, any support for plugins like Photoshop does ( ACR RAW, Optikalverblabs, Harry's Filters etc.).
I use PSPXI.
Many PS plug-ins work with PSP, but I understand that Adobe no longer allows PS plug-in developers to advertise with which other applications they are compatible. This is not a problem with freeware and shareware plug-ins because you can try them without paying out any money, and then pay up if they work (in the case of shareware).
I currently have the following plug-ins installed (though I don't make extensive use of them):
DCETools (various plug-ins)
FiddaFilters PFree
Fotomatic BWPlus and SkyGrad
optikVerve Labs Virtual Photographer
VanDerLee Halftone
Don't ask me what they all do, since some were just installed on a whim and never used again. I used to use VanDerLee Halftone, but I no longer need it. I have used Virtual Photographer a few times and it can produce some pleasing effects.
I don't use a specific noise-reduction technique because I prefer detail to low noise. Noise often adds atmosphere.
Simon