Photoshop Elements 2.0?

[dennykyser]

I was wondering if I should take the time and invest in a few books to learn photoshop elements 2.0 or wait until I get Photoshop 7, or CS and learn that. By Learning Elements will this make learning ps easier. I am not new to photography or computers but am to digital photography and Photoshop.

I am wondering if elements will fill my needs for several months or will I need to go with Photoshop 7 or CS as soon as possible

Thanks to anyone that can help me out. I almost picked up a book on elements today but figured I would check with you guys before I spent 30 bucks.

[scottbergerphoto]

I was wondering if I should take the time and invest in a few books to learn photoshop elements 2.0 or wait until I get Photoshop 7, or CS and learn that. By Learning Elements will this make learning ps easier. I am not new to photography or computers but am to digital photography and Photoshop.

I am wondering if elements will fill my needs for several months or will I need to go with Photoshop 7 or CS as soon as possible

Thanks to anyone that can help me out. I almost picked up a book on elements today but figured I would check with you guys before I spent 30 bucks.
Photoshop Elements 2.0 will meet the needs of most amateur photographers (IMHO). Many plug ins available for the full CS will work in PSE2. Unless you need to work in 16bit, start with PSE2 and save $700. I believe that the techniques you learn in PSE2 can be applied to CS.
Scott

[Vegas Poboy]

PSE2 is a great way to start & if you don't have to do any major editing it will work along time for you. Also most of Adobe's programs share the same task or shortcuts, so yes I would purchase @ least one book to help you work thru the program quicker.
There is too many of them on the market to say which one is best I recommend going to Amazon.com and search there listing and see waht will work best for you.

[ron chappel]

it doesn't take much at all to go from one program to another,the differences are not large.I learnt on arcsoft photostudio,tried PS5,several other brand programs,eventually got wingimp (a free one similar to full blown photoshop) and now have that + elements 2 & irfanview.I use whichever program works best because none are anywhere NEAR perfect!
Full blown photoslop is just stupidly complicated and UNBELIEVABLY expensive(!!!!!) so i will never use it again unless i have to,irfanview (i have the free version) lets me scroll through all the pics in a folder and has the best colour correction window i've seen..but has a useless sharpening option.The gimp i use for serious work.It is abit clunky and complicated but it has (mostly) excellent features.The elements 2 i got with the 300D-i avoid it like the plague as it's just annoying.It has very good options for some things but is hopless at others.

[Jim Larson]

The main weakness of PS elements is lack of CURVES adjustments.

I hear there are some plug in's that add this feature.

I personally use C1 for curves (and RAW conversion), then finish up with PS elements.

[hammysd]

Need will drive your Photoshop learning curve. If you are the type of person who wants the image editing program to make your choices, there are several products out there that are very good. If you want more control over the editing process, you will learn to do Photoshop Elements 2 -- an excellent program for the money. As you grow with your camera, you will needs will grow i.e., to print a "better" picture from your printer. Then Photoshop CS might become the program of choice.

At that stage you might want to become a student at a local college to take one of their Photoshop courses -- for two reasons: for the knowledge and for student prices. As a student, Photoshop becomes affordable.

[hammysd]

Another quick thought -- scan Scott Kelby's book "the Photoshop elements book for digital photographers" at your local bookstore. This book is very good providing basic editing ideas & professional tips with a sprinkle of humor thrown in. I am going through his book right now to brush up my skills and I am just thrilled with his presentatation.

[TimNYC]

PSE2 is a very good introduction to digital post processing softawre. If you decide to go this route, you MUST purchase the book/cd "50 Hidden Elements of PSE2." This will give you the awesome plug-ins you need, along with excellent instruction that gives you a little technical awareness and of course product knowledge. Jumping from PSE2 to PSCS is easy.
If you are now shooting in RAW, I suggest going straight to PS CS.

[Jesper]

Photoshop Elements 2.0 is a lot like the "real" Photoshop. Personally, I don't want to spend €€€€ on the full Photoshop, because I can do (almost) everything I need to do with PSE 2.0.

Get the book The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 2 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0782141781/qid=1074167056//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl14/002-1296119-1432039?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), it's a good book about using PSE 2.0 and comes with a CD with useful tools. These tools will also allow you to use Curves in PSE 2.0.

[scottbergerphoto]

Photoshop Elements 2.0 is a lot like the "real" Photoshop. Personally, I don't want to spend €€€€ on the full Photoshop, because I can do (almost) everything I need to do with PSE 2.0.

Get the book The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 2 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0782141781/qid=1074167056//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl14/002-1296119-1432039?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), it's a good book about using PSE 2.0 and comes with a CD with useful tools. These tools will also allow you to use Curves in PSE 2.0.
Excellent advice. I just bought this book. The included CD adds Curves and other functions to PSE2.
Scott

[Jim Larson]

If you are now shooting in RAW, I suggest going straight to PS CS.

This is the conventional wisdom.

Of course, buying $700 software with strict use policies (activation requires Adobe to give you permission for EACH install) does not fit with my hobbyist aspirations.

Rather spend the money on "L" glass.

There are cheaper alternatives.

[kkennedy]

The Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/)