Using PhotoShop Elements 5 , upgrade to PS3??

I have been using various PP software, and about 2 months ago, purchased PS Elements 5. About a month ago, I found the Missing manual for PSE5.

Now, Adobe, is offering an upgrade to PHOTOSHOP CS3. (EDIT- yes I goofed in the title!!!!) I am finding all sorts of 'hidden' stuff in Elements, thanks to the manual, and am not sure if I really need to upgrade to CS3.

Is there anyone who has used BOTH??
I have read the other thread, "CS3 VS Paint", but I am looking for someone who has experience in BOTH "Elements and PS" software packages.

According to my manual;

Thanks in advance for any and all input...

I have PSE5 and PS7.0, an older version. I also bought this book "the photoshop elements 5 book for digital phtographers" by Scott Kelby. He goes step by step like a course. Very useful. I highly recommend it, although it's pricey $40. PSE5 has curves adjustments, just nothing like what PS7.0 has, for instance. You don't have as many ways to adjust your images, but E5 is very powerful. I've learned so much reading this book and I hardly ever use PS7.0 anymore, only if the image is very difficult to adjust.

That being said, I am going to get Lightroom and CS to try. I've already done a few images on LR and I like it. If you are not doing professional work most of the time Elements is fine. It has layers, curves, etc. For $300, you may decide you really want CS3. If you can live with what you've got, you can put the money toward another fine piece of glass.

SuzyView wrote in post #3854232
I have PSE5 and PS7.0, an older version. I also bought this book "the photoshop elements 5 book for digital phtographers" by Scott Kelby. He goes step by step like a course. Very useful. I highly recommend it, although it's pricey $40. PSE5 has curves adjustments, just nothing like what PS7.0 has, for instance. You don't have as many ways to adjust your images, but E5 is very powerful. I've learned so much reading this book and I hardly ever use PS7.0 anymore, only if the image is very difficult to adjust.

That being said, I am going to get Lightroom and CS to try. I've already done a few images on LR and I like it. If you are not doing professional work most of the time Elements is fine. It has layers, curves, etc. For $300, you may decide you really want CS3. If you can live with what you've got, you can put the money toward another fine piece of glass.

Thanks Suzie, I appreciate it!!
The Missing Manual I have is not a Scott Kelby book, but it is by Barbara Brundage. ? it was $39.99, and i found it in Penn Camera outside of DC.
Her instructions are pretty darn clear and well written, too. She has alll kinds of tricks and shortcuts, and I am liking it so far..

(I have never tried Light Room; have only heard about it on this forum. )

So; so far, its still a toss up!!!!!!!!!

Also, is there any info on this HDR I hear alot about?? Is that in C3? I swear I was able to get 'similar' results in Elements, but just not sure what HDR is exactly.
Thanks again!!

You can download a free 30 day trial of Lightroom. Try it first. Full version is $269 at B&H, $99 for the academic version (if you are a student).

I have used both.

See this thread, as the answer/comment is 'ditto':
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=370863

hortonsl62 wrote in post #3854380
I have used both.

See this thread, as the answer/comment is 'ditto':
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=370863

Thanks, I looked for a thread like this, (yeah, obviously not too hard!!) and YOU found it for me!! Sweet!! (but, hey, we all know there are like a million threads on this forum!!!!)
Like Vickie said, now I have another choice!!!
[SuzyView: You can download a free 30 day trial of Lightroom. Try it first. Full version is $269 at B&H, $99 for the academic version (if you are a student).
I think I will try LR out, and then i will know what it is about. Maybe the combo of PSE5 and LR might be my ticket!!! and they ARE compatible, right??!! or are they 2 seperate programs?

thanks guys!!!! Appreciate all the info, and the links!!!

^^ You're welcome.

I found that because I remembered it and posted to it -- no magic! Enjoy!

Could you provide a link to this upgrade? I have not been able to locate it. Thanks

crznlow wrote in post #3855641
Could you provide a link to this upgrade? I have not been able to locate it. Thanks

If you've got a registered version of Elements,you should have gotten an Email with a promotion code. If you didn't,give Adobe a call and they should hook you up.
I've used PSE5 for 5-6 months or so and after using the CS3 trial for only a week,I've decided without a doubt to upgrade. If you're not sure,go to the Adobe site,download the 30 day trial of CS3 Extended and then you've got until the offer expires(9/16/07) to decide if its something you want. Ignore NEED,WANT is what matters!

crznlow wrote in post #3855641
Could you provide a link to this upgrade? I have not been able to locate it. Thanks

i just upgraded to CS3 with elements 3.0(bundled with my wacom) today for $299.
they were asking for the promo code but i don't have one and still honored the upgrade. they only come on windows though, but you can change platform for free, except for shipping.

i hope the link is ok :
https://store1.adobe.c​om …%20America&page​NotFound=0