Photoshop Elements 8 vs 9: is it worth upgrading?

My apologies if this has been covered in a different thread, I'm terrible at figuring out what to search for...

I have been using PSE 8 for a while, and I LOVE it. I was just wondering if it is worth upgrading to PSE 9. Is there anyone who has done the upgrade, and if so, do you think it was worth it? What are the new features that you just couldn't live without?

Thanks in advance.

You may find this Adobe link helpful:

http://www.photoshopel​ementsuser.com …red/elements-9-whats-new/

I upgraded from PSE7 to PSE9, but was somewhat familiar with PSE8 because a friend has it. I think the upgrade is worth it mainly for three features: layer masks, content-aware fill, and an improved organizer.

So, is PSE like a light weight version of Photoshop or does it have some features that Photoshop or Lightroom don't have?

CameraMan wrote in post #12731164
So, is PSE like a light weight version of Photoshop or does it have some features that Photoshop or Lightroom don't have?

I've heard it described as "80% of Photoshop, including everything a photographer needs at 1/8th the price".

I'll check that link, thanks Rimmer.

I have a question re: Organizer. Does it keep a "Library" on your hard drive like Lightroom? I hate this feature so much.... just wasted space.

I had PSE 5, then 8 briefly - then I met Lightroom 3 and broke it off with PSE 8... I only used like 15% of the PSE features

PSE in my mind seems like 30% of Photoshop - and every new PSE version inherits a high-end feature from Photoshop.

So - PSE 9 has content aware fill??!

I'll have to read up on that...

In the two versions I owned - it did not seem like it was a tight package, didn't seem like a true "Adobe" mature product and seemed buggy.... like Adobe only half-heartedly put it together... That is how I feel versus Lightroom, anyways...

Addendum: Yeah, wow, Version 9 is a bigger than usual upgrade...
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5cqFb5FJqdU

Immaculens wrote in post #12731293
I had PSE 5, then 8 briefly - then I met Lightroom 3 and broke it off with PSE 8... I only used like 15% of the PSE features

PSE in my mind seems like 30% of Photoshop - and every new PSE version inherits a high-end feature from Photoshop.

So - PSE 9 has content aware fill??!

I'll have to read up on that...

In the two versions I owned - it did not seem like it was a tight package, didn't seem like a true "Adobe" mature product and seemed buggy.... like Adobe only half-heartedly put it together... That is how I feel versus Lightroom, anyways...

I feel the exact opposite, to be honest. I tried LR and I didn't like it at all... PSE is really great, there's so much you can do and (with the Scott Kelby PSE 8 book I bought) everything is really easy and straightforward. There's nothing that I've ever wanted to do to a photo that I haven't been able to do with PSE 8 (maybe with the exception of HDR, I use Photomatix Pro for that). I guess this is why I'm so hesitant to upgrade to PSE9, I'm not sure what I'd really find useful in 9 over 8.

I think PSE 8 & now 9 are absolutely feature packed and I am not disagreeing with you. I just found I was only using as said - about 15% of the features - and once I learned the basics of Lightroom - I use a fair bit of it vs PSE.

The big upgrades seem to be Layer Masks (see the new link I provided above) and the Content Aware (Enhanced Healing Brush).

PSE is a Tremendous Bargain, especially if you shop on eBay... and when PSE 10 comes out - good - that means PSE 9's price will go down nicely.

cheers,

shedberg wrote in post #12731358
I feel the exact opposite, to be honest. I tried LR and I didn't like it at all... PSE is really great, there's so much you can do and (with the Scott Kelby PSE 8 book I bought) everything is really easy and straightforward. There's nothing that I've ever wanted to do to a photo that I haven't been able to do with PSE 8 (maybe with the exception of HDR, I use Photomatix Pro for that). I guess this is why I'm so hesitant to upgrade to PSE9, I'm not sure what I'd really find useful in 9 over 8.

The whole "Layer mask" thing doesn't really seem that great to me... I can do the exact same thing in PSE 8 by creating a new layer and then using the eraser tool.

Up until a few months ago my main workflow was LR 3 and Elements 8. I used elements since 2.0 and found it a pretty good program. I generally upgraded every other version since Adobe was issuing releases every year I found the upgrades every other year worked best for me. I bought 8 to work with my new computer and then 9 came out and I received a few upgrade. But never used it much because I upgraded to CS5 with the last $299 deal from Adobe.

I don't think I would upgrade right now since there is a good chance Adobe will release elements 10 in Sept. But if you are having a limitation with 8 that is solved by a new feature then you might want to upgrade.

Edshropshire wrote in post #12732472
Up until a few months ago my main workflow was LR 3 and Elements 8. I used elements since 2.0 and found it a pretty good program. I generally upgraded every other version since Adobe was issuing releases every year I found the upgrades every other year worked best for me. I bought 8 to work with my new computer and then 9 came out and I received a few upgrade. But never used it much because I upgraded to CS5 with the last $299 deal from Adobe.

I don't think I would upgrade right now since there is a good chance Adobe will release elements 10 in Sept. But if you are having a limitation with 8 that is solved by a new feature then you might want to upgrade.

Oh really? OK, problem solved!

CameraMan wrote in post #12731164
So, is PSE like a light weight version of Photoshop or does it have some features that Photoshop or Lightroom don't have?

Both.

shedberg wrote in post #12732092
The whole "Layer mask" thing doesn't really seem that great to me... I can do the exact same thing in PSE 8 by creating a new layer and then using the eraser tool.

Ouch.
Quite different, and erasing is (IMO) not the way to go.

shedberg wrote in post #12732092
The whole "Layer mask" thing doesn't really seem that great to me... I can do the exact same thing in PSE 8 by creating a new layer and then using the eraser tool.

That will work if you never have to go back & make a change, which is easily done with masks. For instance, if you make a large print & then see a misTaKe that you need to fix.
Personally, I think they're one of the more useful features of PS, & I would be lost without them.

PSE9 can automatically blend different exposures. The layer mask isn't a big deal as there are free downloads to add layer masks to older versions. Every version has new features, the real question is if you will use any of them.

I got the $200.00 Educational license for CS5 Extended and have never looked back or wished I was still using PSE.