lightroom vs PS elements

I'm sure this has been hammered in the forums but I'll ask anyhow. I ordered PS Elements, but now I here that it only handles up to 8 bit and will convert my photos taken with a higher resolution 60D to this and degrade them. Basically my question is this, am I doing injustice to my shots that are taken with a 18 mp camera by editing them in PS elements? I don't print that much, but want the option to print a poster if I so choose. Should I buy LR instead as I understand it can handle up to 32 bit? Does LR have a RAW converter? Thanks for your time.

Elements can work with 16 bit files for some functions but not all. For example, you can do a global Levels adjustment to a 16 bit file, but to apply a Levels adjustment layer with associated layer mask, you must first convert to 8 bit. Elements won't automatically convert images to 8 bit, but will offer to do it for you if you select an action that won't work with 16 bit. You can process RAW files with Adobe Camera RAW, make your adjustments, then import into Elements as 16 bit. You can keep it in 16 bit for a lot of things but have to "downshift" in order to apply adjustment layers, layer masks, some of the filters, etc.

idsurfer wrote in post #11905176
I'm sure this has been hammered in the forums but I'll ask anyhow. I ordered PS Elements, but now I here that it only handles up to 8 bit and will convert my photos taken with a higher resolution 60D to this and degrade them. Basically my question is this, am I doing injustice to my shots that are taken with a 18 mp camera by editing them in PS elements? I don't print that much, but want the option to print a poster if I so choose. Should I buy LR instead as I understand it can handle up to 32 bit? Does LR have a RAW converter? Thanks for your time.

LR handles RAW quite well.

Someone has a workaround for PSE

http://forums.adobe.co​m/message/2362891#2362​891

8bpc has *nothing* to do with resoluton. It refers to bit depth. PSE can do some things with 16bpc images. Not sure on the limitations.

LR is a raw converter with some bells and whistles.

You should be able to get the same image quality out of both PSE and LR, but the workflow is entirely different.

If you are using a PC, LR is a (way) better raw converter then ACR in PSE. DPP would also be a good choice.

If you already ordered PSE, I'd try DPP + PSE for a while, then trial LR3.

Thanks, it was the adobe sales person that was giving me this information with regards to 8 to 16 bit's and resolution. If I can get LR for the same price as elements should I go that route? I am using a PC. I have trialed elements and currently am trialing LR. I do like how LR has the editing controls all in a row on the right while in elements I have to jump around a bit.

Well, you should understand that Elements can do some things that are not in the "design model" of Lightroom, so it's always good to look at having either Elements or another capable "image/pixel editor" on hand so that after you have done your Raw processing in Lightroom )or Digital Photo Professional). Lightroom does extend the Raw processor you find in the full version of Photoshop CS5 and integrates it with very useful tools for organizing and outputting your images and, for many of us, does the great majority of what we do on our photos.

So, well, I'd get a handle on using Elements and, when you are ready to try something new get the trial of Lightroom. If you are shooting Raw, I'd advise you in the meantime to install Digital Photo Professional (DPP) the Canon Raw processor -- it is a good and quick way to whip out Raw images into good jpegs/tiffs that you can print, share on the Web or, if needed, open in Elements.

You mentioned price -- Elements retails at under $100 USD, Lightroom at a bit under $300 USD so that's where I suggest you take your time with Lightroom. If, though, you are a student or have one in your family/household then you can get a student discount for Adobe products, which brings the cost of Lightroom down to about $100 USD (don't know about Elements). That's a sweet deal!

That's just it, I am a student and can get LR for about $90. But honestly, I don't want to be working/learning two programs. I don't have that time (remember, I'm a student). I want a single program that will allow me to get the most out of my shots with decent editing tools and has a good RAW processor should I feel that this is how I need to be shooting. I have heard people saying good things about DPP, but haven't really enjoyed it myself. I obviously don't have the volume of work that would make the organizer appealing enough that it be the reason for purchasing LR. The question is which do people feel would be a better program if it was going to be the only one someone like myself was going to work with?

Well, I'd say time spent learning Elements would be time well spent, simply because you will be learning about the "big picture" of post processing rather than about one aspect (Raw) of post processing. Understanding Raw processing is of real value, but if you scan the threads here you will see that most of the pp discussions involve Photoshop-type issues and Elements is right in with those discussions. Talking about layers, for example, fits right into Elements and is a very important area to learn about, whereas with Lightroom layers don't exist.

Plus, Elements has the basic tools for Raw processing -- minus some of the "bells and whistles" and features of Lightroom or CS5, but good just the same.
So, take you

Done...I will stick with my decision and learn to use elements to it's fullest. It seems that PS is what it is for a good reason. I have used the trial and have the ACR pug in (if I so choose to shoot RAW). I am all about the "big picture" and if this is what PS will offer, this is what I will go for. Thanks to everyone that chimed in today. Cheers ( my head is about to explode)

Well, I'd call that a good decision to start things off with! You have time, and it does take time to walk through things until your head stops wanting to explode a bit!