Do I need PS CS?

[JZaun]

Ok I ordered the 20D,, I will again try raw :? I currently use PSE2. I understand CS has raw converter built in. Questions I have based on reading here. I have searched and read all I cna find but am still confused as to weather or not I need it!

1. Can I apply the same enhancements (say auto levels and sharpening) to a batch of photo's.

2. Can it batch convert raw to Tiff like canon file viewer does?

3. Does it operate similar to PS E2?, that is can a old fogy learn it with out too much work :D . Yeah I know I wont learn it all!!

4. Is it really worth $320 over PSE2?

5. See, I don't know enough about it to even ask good questions.. How about just tell me some of the neat things it does and talk me in to it.. What the heck I got another SS check coming.

Thanks ifor any help

JZ

[tommykjensen]

1: I have not found a way to automate raw conversion in PS CS, maybe its possible I have just figured it out
2: Same as 1, if it can batch convert it will be able to save it as tiff also is my best guess
3: Its bigger and more complex than PSE2, some functions is not named the same.
4: Well You don't need to pay that much for it. You can get PS CS cheaper, if You buy a copy of PS6 for approx $50 on ebay You can upgrade to PSCS for $169.
5: One of the coolest functions in PS CS is the shadow highlights function. When I discovered that function alot of my otherwise dead photos came to life again. This function can do wonders to underexposed photos.

[maderito]

Jerry -

You've retired, but you’re committed to your new photography career - right! Buy yourself a retirement gift – PS CS. I GUARANTEE you will never regret it (as long as your interest in photography continues – which seems a given). Most of what you want to be able to do you can do with PS CS. You can do batch RAW processing in PS CS, although you will want to customize the RAW development settings for each batch if you want the process to proceed without interruption all the way to creation of a TIFF or JPEG.

From the PS CS help file:
You can automate opening camera raw image files, editing them, and saving the files in formats like TIFF, PSD, JPEG, Large Document Format (PSB), and PDF. In Photoshop, you can also use the Batch command or Create Droplet command to open one or more camera raw image files.

[Scottes]

Well I have to wonder how much good it will do you. (You all know I'm a PS junkie, and I can still say that!) I have yet to see something that you've posted that needed any PS CS work. Very, very little of what you've posted could have benefitted from more PSE2 work.

I have to admit that I've yet to see one of your almost-keepers. Do you have many shots that would be keepers if they could get a little bit more post-processing help? And do you *know* that this post processing couldn't be done in PSE2? You've said yourself that haven't learned PSE2 fully. So do you really think that not learning all of PS CS will help?

From what I've seen, I'd wait. You take damned fine pictures that don't require PS expertise.

And to be bold, forthright, and honest, I'd say that you need more opportunity. (I have often heard you say that you wished you had a such-and-such near you, or that you've never had a chance at some-bird-or-another.) Take the money and go for a weekend at Ding Darling or Cape May. Or find a local photo tour/guidance/workshop company and spend a weekend with them. I think you'd be a lot happier with a thousand-picture weekend and your current PSE2 skills.



Edit: I will say that PS can do everything you're asking, and as Maderito said you will NOT regret it. You won't be wrong in buying it. But I repeat: "You take damned fine pictures that don't require PS expertise."

[evilenglishman]

1. yes, sort of. A command like auto levels will apply different amounts depening on each image - hence the reason its "auto".
You can use alternative manual commands like "levels" though - this would apply that specific amount to every image.
2. Yes
3. If you use PSE then you should have much problem with PSCS
4. Depends on what you want from the program.
If you only want to do what PSE can do, then you are probably best with what you already have.

[PhotosGuy]

I agree, especially with Scottes, & especially with his "So do you really think that not learning all of PS CS will help?" HA! Good one!

I teach PSCS, but only have PS7 for personal use & RAW convert the 'hard way'. I personally HATE 'Auto anything' & wouldn't use auto levels. Try it - do one yourself, note the settings, then do an 'auto' & draw your own conclusions.

"You take damned fine pictures that don't require PS expertise."

Besides, do we really need to see any better pics from you? I don't think so! :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

[PhotosGuy]

Processing a batch of raw files using the original Camera Raw plug-in (CRI) was possible, but limited by the fact that it wasn't practical to apply individual settings to each image file to be processed. You had to create a set of parameters that were then applied to every image in the batch. So the best you could do was organise raw files into groups in separate folders and have multiple batch runs. That has changed with the CS Camera Raw plug-in (CRII).

quote is from:
http://www.rogercavanagh.com/pstips/13.htm

See the links at the right for his impressions of PSCS.

[JZaun]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. As I said I may not know enough to ask a question but here is someting I want to do, (I think)

My daughter recently got a Nikon 4100, 4mpx cam. She too 180 pic (JPEG fine) and ask me for help. Its a P&S so I thoght the pic's were ready to print. When I looked at them to delete the ones she didn't want I found that they needed help. I applied auto level and a little USM at 130. This greatly improved the pic's. I then went through and did the same to each pic. It seemed that every pic needed the same. I spent 3 hours doing this. So I thought does CS have the ability to batch process this?? I am currently trying to change the in camera levels of processing to get around this.. by the way the pic's were great for, just not up to what i am used to. I did do a 8X10 that was fine. I guess I am just trying to find easier ways to do the post processing. I have until DEC to purchase the upgrade for $299. If I do it will probably be $199 in Jan :D

JZ

[PhotosGuy]

It seemed that every pic needed the same.

If they're all the same, you can make an "Action" to do all the needed changes. Then you can batch process all the pics using that action.
If there was one step in the process that needed a variation for each pic, you could have the action stop at that point so you could make the change, then continue the remainder of the action - but you'd have to sit there during the batch process.

[Scottes]

It seemed that every pic needed the same.

If they're all the same, you can make an "Action" to do all the needed changes. Then you can batch process all the pics using that action.
If there was one step in the process that needed a variation for each pic, you could have the action stop at that point so you could make the change, then continue the remainder of the action - but you'd have to sit there during the batch process.

Just to clarify, this is for Elements or PS CS.

So you don't need PS CS for this.

[Jesper]

You can download the tryout version of Photoshop CS (http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp#product=39) which works for 30 days, so that you can try it out before you decide whether or not buy it.

It is a large download (151 MB for the Windows version, 248 MB for the Macintosh version), but trying it out is the best way to experience it for yourself....

[JZaun]

Scottes I can't find any actions in PSE2. I can only find a batch function that will convert file type and or size. ????? I can batch convert and transfer raw to tiff with File Viewer. I'm starting to think I need CS. :?

Jesper, thanks I am gonna try that dwn load and trial version.


Thanks a bunch
JZ