Photoshop Question

[Steve O Chap]

I've been taking photos for a while, but never done any work with Photoshop. I've been doing some research and asking some friends who are more 'in the know' about it and everyone seems to say that Photoshop Elements should contain, everything from an editing perspective, that an amature photographer would need. I don't want to spend the $$ on PS-E only to find out that I should have bought the full Photoshop. What are your opinions?

[kwsanders]

I have been using Photoshop Elements on my Mac for several months now. I have found that it meets my needs for my photography. I am in no way a professional... pure hobbyist.

One reason I am using PSE is because I do not have the money to shell out for Photoshop CS2 at this time, especially when I have to buy all the new photography equipment that I have been purchasing over the past two weeks. :)

[jra]

Elements should be very adequate for someone shooting as a hobbiest. Although it is missing a few of the features of CS2, it is a very powerful tool. Considering that you've really never used an editing tool, PS Elements should keep you busy for a long while with great results.

[PhotosGuy]

PS Elements should keep you busy for a long while with great results. I agree, especially since when you are ready you can shoot RAW & do most of the basic things before conversion. There are a lot of free plug-ins for PSE, too.

Layer mask in Elements 4.0
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=237985

Color Management Answers for Photoshop Elements
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/elements-color-management.html

Curves (and Other Goodies) for Photoshop Elements
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html

Smart Sharpening for Elements
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=69

Everything you want to know about Elements:
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/

[Steve O Chap]

Cool, thanks everyone.

[kwsanders]

Very nice, Frank. Thanks for the links for the plug-ins. I was actually looking for some last night.

[PhotosGuy]

Good/bad news: someone in another thread said that some of those links are only good in PSE 1-3, but I'm sure that someone, somewhere has updated plug-ins. ;)