Is Photoshop CS....

[Jmurman]

worth the investment? I have Elements2 and would like to do some things that I can't, like curves etc. $500 is alot of money, is it worth it for truly a very long investment?

[Scottes]

Remember that the investment may be only for 1.5 years until the next version, and then it's another $189 usually. You can go longer of course, but once you start using it you'll probably upgrade. I've never skipped buying a version since it came out on Windows.

PS is an excellent product. It's one of the very best pieces of software that I've ever run. It's almost perfect once you use it a bit.

But it's not simple. It requires an investment of time as well as money. It's a constant learning process, and then they come out with a new version. I've been using PS since it came out on the Mac and I learn stuff almost every day. (Granted I don't use it 40 hours a week...)

For the first year or two you will never pull up an old image and print it - you will have learned stuff since then, and that old image won't look as good as you know it could be. So you will re-process it, and you'll be happy you did.

But since you know PSE2 you're up a couple steps at least, so initial learning won't be too bad.


So is it worth it? It is to me, and many others here. If you know there are things that you want to do beyond PSE2 then Yes, it's worth it. If PSE2 is good enough for now then buy another lens.

[Belmondo]

I agree. If you're going to be even semi-serious about this, the full version of Photoshop is really a must. I know there are other image editing packages out there, and some people use them with good results, but the simple fact is, Photoshop is the defacto standard for all but a very few professionals. The sooner you get onboard, the sooner you'll be speaking the same language as the big dogs.

[mttmrphy]

There are less expensive ways to get PS CS than purchasing the full retail version. I've heard of a few folks who purchased PS 7 used fairly inexpensively and then upgraded to CS for $190.

E-bay has some pretty good prices on CS as well.

[Tshoe]

YES!!!! it is worth it.
I have been using PhotoShop for a few years and probably only know 20% of what it can do but CS appears to be more devoted to the digital photo portion of what it is capable of.

One of the previous replys said about buying a previous version and then upgrading, he is right. I put my version 7 on Ebay and received quite a few questions about the buyer being able to use it to purchase the CS upgrade. After some research i found that if the previous owner registered it they can transfer ownership and then should be able to use it to upgrade.

[Belmondo]

You used to be able to upgrade from Photoshop LE (limited edition---discontinued when they brought out Elements), and that was frequently given away with scanners, cameras, etc.. It seems to me I got an argument from Adobe the last time I tried, but eventually got them to agree. If you can find a copy of that stuck in the back of the drawer somewhere, it would be worth a try.

[mwinog2777]

In brief, yes.

[Jesper]

The full version of Photoshop CS ofcourse has a number of advantages over PS Elements 2.0. For me, the most important features were color management (PSE2 has only limited color management), 16-bit editing, Curves and Channels.

I got an upgrade from PS Elements 2.0 to PS CS for $ 299, but that was a special offer that was valid until June 30 only, and it was meant for people who bought a Microtek scanner - but it worked with any version of PSE 2 (also the one I got with my 10D).

But before you go out and buy PS CS, have a look at this book: The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements (http://www.hiddenelements.com/). It comes with a CD-ROM that includes tools to unlock some features in PS Elements, like Curves and Channels, that you normally only have in the full version of Photoshop.

Besides Photoshop, there are also other very good programs available, such as Paint Shop Pro (http://www.jasc.com/). It costs about the same as PS Elements, but has just a bit more features and is very user-friendly. Some things are still missing, such as color management and 16-bit editing. You can download a 60-day trial version.

Another one is Picture Window Pro (http://www.dl-c.com/Temp/). It has full color management and 16-bit editing, but has a less "slick" user-interface.

[chris.bailey]

To my mind CS is the best version of Photoshop yet and throws in a lot of things that were missing. I have been using it since version 4 and have kept it upgraded. 6-7 was expensive for the new feature but CS is a gem.

[Kabz]

CS is so much better in terms of the little things you wish you could do in Elements2 and even PS7.
I highly recommend it....I love the program.

[PhotosGuy]

If you are a student, you can get a discount on P$hop. Also, the GIMP is a free alternative to P$.
http://gimp.org/

[John_T]

...increase your RAM to 2GB and be prepared to add hard drive space when you move to RAW and 16bit TIFF conversions.

...because you will. It's addictive like L glass. :wink:

[jgbeam]

You used to be able to upgrade from Photoshop LE (limited edition---discontinued when they brought out Elements), and that was frequently given away with scanners, cameras, etc.. It seems to me I got an argument from Adobe the last time I tried, but eventually got them to agree. If you can find a copy of that stuck in the back of the drawer somewhere, it would be worth a try.

I upgraded from PSE2, which still comes with scanners, etc. Upgrade price is $299. The $350 savings bought an 85mm f/1.8!

Jim

[Malok]

I just came across a site on the web which sells the full version of photoshop CS for only $99.00. It doesn't come with the book or CD but is a downloadable version. This price seems amazing. I have just written to the company to find out if it is legitimate software. Does anyone here know anything about this company or the offer they are making? (http://www.ibackups.net)

Malok

[Malok]

My mistake! I just found this sentence hidden deeply in their website:

"9.1 You understand that in order for iBackups.net to make you a copy of any software, you acknowledge that you are the legal owner of this same software, and are looking to just make a new copy for archival (backup) purposes only."

In other words, they aren't selling new copies but only backups for people who already have the product. I should have realized this from the site name. Sorry for getting people's hopes up.

[richard lynch]

I have been using Photoshop since 2.5 came out for the PC (and perhaps a little before). Photoshop is NOT a must, and it is not meant for everybody. There are hidden costs, and hidden commitment (e.g., dedication to learning the product). The latter isn't really easy.

I have an article on choosing your software for image editing here:
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/vs_elements.html

Personally, I use Elements at my day job now, and i do so by choice. That is, I chose to spend less on Photoshop so I would have more in my budget for equipment. It was far more valuable to me to have a dual monitor setup and max out my RAM than to add RAW capabilities. I split my time between Elements and Photoshop at home, mostly because I write books and articles on either. Photoshop has more stuff in it...but it isn't always stuff you need.

Most things said to be impossible in Elements are indeed possible. You can work with channels and curves and masking and CMYK...and...and...but what you really need to do is learn how to edit images. NO program will suddenly make you better at that. No program will make it enherently easy...if you are serious about what you are doing. There are currently exceptions to what elements seems to be able to do, but who knows what plans Adobe has for moving the product forward. Advantages of CS include RAW handling, volume CMYK handling, inclusion of Image Ready, recording your own actions (Elements will play actions--for the most part) and broad functionality in 16-bit editing (Elements merely converts to 8-bit). if you don't need these things or don't know what they are, you probably don't need to even think about Photoshop right now. There are other minor exceptions, and none of them individually are really worth moving to PS CS.

There are also other fine options outside the Adobe product line. I favor it, but it might not be for everyone. looking back, I'd say that working with what you have till you seriously outgrow it will have you learning a lot more and being more creative and intelligent with your editing than buying a program that is 'the best' just because it is supposed to be the best. Best to get what you need.

I have been using Photoshop for 12 years or more, and I am not sure that it is without question "worth it" for everyone. It depends on what you do, and where you intend to go with what you do. Personally i learned more working intensely with Elements for a few years than in working with Photoshop simply because of the limitations.

Use the demo versions to try programs out, and honestly evaluate what you need and want. you'll be happier with your purchase. Seriously consider the alternatives such as gimp, psp, photoline32, and others...especially consider what you have--unless you are positive you have outgrown it. But be sure you have tested the limits and experimented...it may have more kick than you think!

[Malok]

I would really prefer to stay with PSE, but I need to be able to use the printer profile for a Fuji Frontier printer. Richard, do you know of any way that I can do this with PSE or can you recommend a more affordable program that will allow me to do this?

Malok

[richard lynch]

A lot of people get a little edgy when i say this, but you can actually get great results without using profiles. As one who worked with Photoshop happily for years without them, I can vouch that it is true. Again, all you need is the right technique. My book discusses that. However,...

If you are just trying to embed a profile at print time, try this:

1. Choose File>Print Preview (press Command/CTRL+P [Mac/PC]).
2. Check the Show More Options box at the bottom of the Print Preview screen. More options appear.
3. Choose Color Management from the drop list.
4. In the Print Space panel, choose your profile from the drop list.

if your profile isn't on the list you either don't have it installed properly or installed to the proper place. This may vary depending on the color management engine for your system.

Hope that helps!

[Malok]

Richard,

My problem is that even though my monitor is properly calibrated and my images look great on my PC, when I have them printed they are often quite flat and are missing that punch that the original file has. As a result, they don't sell as well in the stores and galleries when I am selling them.

Would simply adding a profile to the file fix this? I was under the impression that I would need to use the profile to see how the printer was viewing it and then make adjustments so that it would be printed as I desired.

Apart from this need, I am very happy with PSE and would prefer to stay with it. I do not like the idea of having to learn all the complexities of PS CS or spend hundreds of dollars just for this one little aspect. At the moment, I feel trapped.

[evilenglishman]

in reply to the original post. Why not get a copy of version 7 from ebay and play around with that for a while. there isnt that much difference between 7 and CS

[JZaun]

Malok,,, just a thought, you can get a HP or Canon printer for way less than the cost of software and they print fine!! I don't know a print profile from a widgit and I get great prints with a HP 1115 and a HP 1350 both less than $150 ea.

Just my thoughts :)

JZ

[Malok]

Thanks JZaun. Unfortunately, getting my own printer will not meet my needs. It will actually be more expensive with ink costs, it will not allow me to print archival quality prints, it will also limit the size I can print and won't be quite up to the quality I can get from a Fuji Frontier at larger sizes. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Tom Green]

Just upgraded from Elements to CS. What a great program. I am a definite beliver.

[redbutt]

The fact that Photoshop CS can read and allow you to tweak RAW files is worth the proce of admission. After about 45 minutes writing a few actions (and copying some of my PS7 actions over), I've got a complete workflow that is very comfortable to use.

[davkenrem]

If you know someone who is a student, get them to buy it for you at school. I was my bookstore this morning looking and I can buy it for $299. :D

As soon as my book voucher for fall semester comes in I'm going to get it..
One copy per student, Darn. :D

[ejwebb]

One caution about the student version is that I don't think you can use it to purchase upgrades at the reduced price in the future (currently $169 for CS, I believe). Maybe someone can verify that for you.

If you have Elements you might want to check out this thread for a $299 upgrade.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19876&highlight=elements+upgrade+ cs

[ejwebb]

Richard,

I have your book and so far it has been a great learning tool and I really appreciate having curves in Elements. You said:

A lot of people get a little edgy when i say this, but you can actually get great results without using profiles. As one who worked with Photoshop happily for years without them, I can vouch that it is true. Again, all you need is the right technique. My book discusses that.

I have not had time yet to get throught the whole book and the only section I have read regarding color management is the discussion of Adobe Gamma. Is there another discussion in the book that will help me?

Adobe Gamma has not been successful so far and I have run through it a few times - maybe because I do not have phosphor info for the monitor, etc. My images in Elements, Internet Explorer and printed on a Canon S820 are actually closer using the profile supplied with the monitor. However, there is room for improvement and I am not prepared to shell out big bucks for calibration hardware and a CS upgrade to get it all perfect so any suggestions are appreciated.