Which Photoshop?

I am shooting sports and I know I need to get going on photoshop but I don't know much about the different versions. Obviously the newer the version the more features but I can only spend about $100 on it for now. Which version should I try to get for that price, why and where might be the best place to find. Any information would be a great help and much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Dave

For $100 you'll probably end up with Photoshop Elements, version 6 is the newest.

Other Photoshop products are significantly more $$.
Besy Buy has Elements on sale from time to time for $79 or less.

Thanks tomd!
Do you think it would be worthwhile or should I wait.? I heard once that it was a watered down version. What is the difference between Elements and a full version?
thanks for all your help!!!
Dave

Elements can do all the basic functions of photo editing...cropping, resizing, curves and levels, correcting white balance issues, hue and saturation adjustments, filters and actions...essentially anything that 95% of photographers need. Photoshop is several level above that....and has a variety of features and automations that allow more complex editing and streamlined workflows. Elements is a whole lot easier on the wallet when you first start out and it still gives you some killer options.

Elements is your only way. Even the previous versions of the full Photoshop don't go for $100. And if you could get and old old old version of Photoshop, it won't do JPG files.

Maybe if you have a friend who's in school. You could order an educational version of Photoshop at a discount. Have your friend go through the school's bookstore for the purchase. I have no idea what that discount will be.

Thanks, both of you for the great info.
I currently use DPP, zoombrowser and picasa for those basic funtions and my workflow is pretty quick. Sounds like I should wait to get a full version. What is the oldest version that would still be worthwhile?
Thanks again,
Dave

Dave,
What is it you want photoshop to do that your current software doesn't?
I still think Elements is a consideration for you.

You might want to take a look at Gimp. It is very close to Photoshop and it is free.

Just found a price for Elements: $60
http://www.amazon.com …sim/?tag=pcsoft​ware4u2-20

Tom

As long as you can use the plugins with Elements I'd go for that software. The only reason I'm using CS3 is, it's what I know and it's free to me on a corporate license. (trade for work)

By plugins I mean 55mm Film Tools, not how to turn your baby pic into an alien landscape. Those get old in about 10 minutes.

Pleaes don't take this wrong, but it's sort of like asking about the gas mileage for a new Ferrari...if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

People who really "need" the full version of Photoshop know they need it. If you have to ask, save your money and get PS Elements. As already mentioned, it does almost everything 90% of photographers actually need/use in an image editing program.

That said, why not try saving ALL your money and downloading GIMP for free. It may not be as sexy as PS but it seems to do almost everything just about as well.

Thanks everyone!
The main reason I believe I need it is to be able to make collages, personalized pics and such. I am doing sports photography full time and it sounds like this is a necessity.
I'm just not aware of what each version does or doesn't do so I'm trying to get a feel before I buy something and it doesn't have all I need or buy something expensive and not use any of the features.
Can GIMP do layers for collages?

thanks again,
Dave

GIMP and Elements both support layers. Not sure if Elements supports layer STYLES though - those would be very helpful in photo montages.

Download the latest version of GIMP and use it until you bump into something you really need. There is plenty of support for it via forums here and on the GIMP website.

Older CS2 vs. Elements 5.0 comparison matrix...

http://www.pictureline​.com/newsletter/articl​e.php?id=288

You can download each for a 30 day trial.

Elements can be learned in a couple months, CS3 is a couple years, for us slow learners anyway.