For convenience and instant gratification, you really can't beat printing your photos at home. Doing your own digital processing allows you to print only what you need, when you need it. You can print your photos the size, finish, and colors you want just before you work on a layout, rather than trying to predict your needs far in advance as you'd have to with online or kiosk processing.
Home processing is not cheap. You have to invest in a photo printer, which will cost you at least $150. In addition, you might need to purchase image-editing software to perform some of the more complicated digital touch-ups you can't get with a printer's software. Finally, you'll have to purchase photo paper in whatever finishes you use. Photo paper has come down in price a pretty good deal over the last ten years or so, but it is still not cheap.
Digital photo processing, like almost every other area of the computer industry, is an evolving technology. You really have to stay on top of which brands are the best buy for your money when you invest so much in a printer. I suggest you check with Consumer Reports to find out who they recommend before you buy. Watch for sales on photo paper at your local office supply stores, and get lots of it when you can get a good price.
Many of the big chain computer stores will let you try different software packages before you buy them. Take advantage of this service, and give a few of the available packages a test-run. See which packages have the features you are looking for. Which are easiest to use? Be sure that whatever you are considering purchasing is compatible with your computer. You might need to install more RAM to run some of the software programs.
There is no homework for this section.
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