Photoshop

[F, Calla & Luca]

Does anyone have insight as to whether someone like me, who has been using Picasa, would really need anything more that Photoshop Elements. What advantages does the CS have to offer. Photoshop Elements is available for a very reasonable amount while the CS versions are way too expensive, IMHO. Thanks for any input.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I doubt that you will ever need anything more than Photoshop Elements. Photoshop CS is a very complex program. It started a number of years ago as Adobe Photoshop and by the time I started learning it they were calling it Photoshop 5.0, then 5.5, then 6.0 and up to 7.0. After that they changed it to the Photoshop Creative Suite (CS) and now are up to either 4 or 5. It is a very complex program basically made for Professionals. I took my Photoshop 5.5 and 6.0 class at the Adult Continuing Education. It was once a week for 4 hours and a full school semester. I then took it again the next semester so I could learn to do things on the fly without referring to my notes. None of us were interested in the Web Design portion of the program so we were not taught it. I would venture to say that I probably know less than half the program. And...I know quite a bit about it!!!

I purchased Photoshop Elements and took a three night class. Darn if I couldn't get it into my head. I am so used to the regular Photoshop and the tools/layout and looks that Elements threw me for a loop. I have since given Nancy (Ned and Clancy) a copy of the program and all my books on how to learn it but I doubt Nancy has even installed it to her computer!!!

Oh...you were asking if Photoshop Elements would be enough for you...YES!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I completely agree. I love Photoshop Elements and there's really nothing that I've ever wanted to do in terms of editing my photos that couldn't be done with it. I took a six week online course which helped me tremendously, and in the Fall I'm going to take the Advanced class. Without the classes, I found I was only able to do the really basic editing....the classes taught me how to utilize the software more fully. If you decide to get Elements I'll be interested to see how you like it. Maybe we should start a little Photoshop editing subgroup if there are enough of us using it. What do you think?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think even Elements is sounding a bit daunting but if I do get it, I'm game!

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

I also would say that you don't need the CS version unless you really want to get into it and learn all the tricks.
We do have the CS version as my boyfriend needs it for his work but all the options only confuse me and make life harder for me. I am doing only the basic stuff in Photoshop so Elements would be more than sufficient for me.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

The answer is yes....I had the complete Photoshop Suite that I used at work...then on day a free copy of Photoshop Elements 2.0 appeared with one of our cameras....what a joy...the things I had to do needed to be done quickly and Elements provided that...all of Adobe products have a learning curve...but Elements basics can be learned in an afternoon...and once you grasp the concept of layers..there will be no stopping you...besides there are a lot of add-on's in the digital world that they generously share....I highly recommend it....I currently use Elements 7.0 (but I do believe 8.0 is out now)....I do not purchase every up grade...I went from 2.0 to 5.0 to 7.0....good luck with your decision...

[F, Calla & Luca]

An afternoon, that sounds more like my speed.

[Linda and "Toby"]

I think you would be very happy with Photoshop Elements. It will be a fun upgrade for you from Picasa! (Quite a few professional photographers use it.) I purchased Elements for my Father in law for Father's Day and I'm very impressed with it. It has lots of fun bells and whistles to keep you occupied and challenged without being overwhelming. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks so much everyone for all the good advice. Where else can I go and get a bunch of knowledgeable people so willing to freely, quickly give relevant advice.

[Michele Follger]

I agree as well that Elements will be all you need. My husband and I own a photography studio and I have studied Photoshop for about 10 years now. It is a fantastic program, but the learning curve is huge. For the adjustments that you will make, Elements is the perfect choice.

[Diane Margetts]

I have CS4 through my work. I am self-taught on it and it can be quite complex and difficult. The one thing I will say for all Photoshops--Elements or CS--is the online, free, available tutorials on any and all aspects of Photoshop re unbelievable!!!!!!!

[Richard Crowe]

I am in the process of switching from Photoshop CS3 to Photoshop Elements 8. I wanted to upgrade my CS3 but, the price of upgrading the entire Creative Suite CS3 is to expensive. I downloaded a trial version of PSE-8 and I am amazed at the capabilities of this program!

It appears that I can do everything that "I do" with CS3 by using PSE-8. I am sure that there are many capabilities of the new Photoshop CS-5 that are not included in PSE-8. However, PSE-8 seems to suit my needs very well.

PSE-8 is available from COSTCO online or at some stores for $50. This includes a $30 instant rebate. I could not resist this bargain.

There are many things which I cannot do with the full Photoshop program that PSE-8 will allow me to do fairly easily. Here is an example from the PSE.net website:

http://www.photoshopelements.net/index.php?option=com_content&v...

BTW: if you are shooting with a camera that allows you to capture images using RAW and are using the PSE-8 editing program; I would strongly recommend shooting in RAW rather than capturing in JPEG. Although the JPEG files are smaller, you have a LOT MORE CONTROL when shooting in RAW and processing in PSE-8. Here is a tutorial video:

http://www.photoshopelements.net/index.php?option=com_content&v...

Basically, shooting as a JPEG, your camera processes the photos while shooting in RAW, you are able to process the photos on your computer which is a lot more powerful and sophisticated than the little chip in your camera. At first, I was afraid of RAW but now; I like so much about RAW, that I never shoot JPEG anymore.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thank you so much for all your comprehensive and informative answers.