Any reason to NOT get photoshop if you get the student and teacher price?

Would I be dumb not to get it while I have the chance as a student?

I already have Aperture 3 with the full Nik Suite, but obviously I can't layers (focus stack, exposure blend) or panorama stitching, or the abode lens correction features.

I figure for %80 off it's a shame not to do it.

What other features would I gain over my current software?

If you don't have any pixel editing software, and you feel you need it, it's a great price.
If you're hardly gonna use it, PS Elements might be a better choice.

DL the free trial and give it a try…

Is the reason for the question the debate of Photoshop CS5 vs. another RAW convertor (such as Lightroom) or vs. a photo editor (such as Elements)?

Consider that you will eventually want to upgrade to the newest version of the program, and the UPGRADE price of Photoshop CSn is $350, whereas the upgrade for LR is $99, and the upgrade for Elements is $80

Sorry to hijack, but do you guys think its worth it to buy CS5 right now, or wait for something new?

Could be a very expensive upgrade if you want to upgrade the Nik stuff as well..... . Do you have the lightroom only collection or complete collection that will allow you to use in PS?

Nik does sell the complete collection for $299.99 to students as well....

Do you need the features of CS5? While 80% off, it's still 20% spent if you don't need it.

It's just a hobby, I really don't even need what I have now, but if I had photoshop, I'd absolutely use all the features, if for no other reason than for entertainment and learning.

My big question is, is there alot more I can do? I'll do everything the software offers, just to say I've used it, I want to know if there are alot of new things to do with it.

NatDeroxL7 wrote in post #13268188
if I had photoshop, I'd absolutely use all the features

That would make you the first person I know to do thát

NatDeroxL7 wrote in post #13268188
It's just a hobby, I really don't even need what I have now, but if I had photoshop, I'd absolutely use all the features, if for no other reason than for entertainment and learning.

My big question is, is there alot more I can do? I'll do everything the software offers, just to say I've used it, I want to know if there are alot of new things to do with it.

Yes there is a lot that Photoshop can do that Aperture can't do. And, you really want to have an image editor on hand to use alongside of Aperture for things that do eventually come up

The big question would be whether to go for the full Photoshop CSx or whether to go for a "smaller" app such as Elements or even the "open source" app the Gimp.

In favor of PS CSx are the many tools that enable not just powerful editing but also automation so that you can quickly "whip out" tasks on batches of photos. So, if you do take photography "seriously" and shoot a fair number of photos, and if you can afford it, then it is certainly the "best" package.

But if price is a consideration and you don't handle a volume of photos, then choosing something like Elements can be a smart move.

Most tutorial I find on the interwebs are Photoshop-based (not Elements, not Aperture, and definitely not Gimp). If you can get it at the Student Edition cheap and it's within your budget, I would say go for it.

I'm on CS4 and waiting for CS6 to upgrade. One would assume it's coming soon, and the upgrade prices aren't exactly cheap.

I bought it just cause.....I'm slowly mastering it.

kiss-o-matic wrote in post #13270690
Most tutorial I find on the interwebs are Photoshop-based (not Elements, not Aperture, and definitely not Gimp). If you can get it at the Student Edition cheap and it's within your budget, I would say go for it.

I'm on CS4 and waiting for CS6 to upgrade. One would assume it's coming soon, and the upgrade prices aren't exactly cheap.

Gimp can hold it's own as an editor. I used Gimp for several years now and have gotten a good bit of knowledge via interwebs.

whoty wrote in post #13271764
Gimp can hold it's own as an editor. I used Gimp for several years now and have gotten a good bit of knowledge via interwebs.

Well, we have a Gimp "sticky" here with helpful stuff, but the poster was referring to the fact that most tutorials out there will use Photoshop rather than Elements or Gimp. I'd say that's an accurate assessment.

whoty wrote in post #13271764
Gimp can hold it's own as an editor. I used Gimp for several years now and have gotten a good bit of knowledge via interwebs.

I don't doubt that at all -- I use it when I need some stuff done on my Linux machine(s). But, if you're cutting your teeth on PP in general, you're going to find an exponential amount more of Photoshop resources over Gimp.

René Damkot wrote in post #13266795
... DL the free trial and give it a try…

This is the best advice. At the end of the month, you'll know if it's worth buying. Adobe's academic discount is just another way of buying the license (registration number) to use Photoshop - you would be using exactly the same software as if you had paid full price.

I had no idea they have a full featured demo.

I think I am already going to get it, birthday present this Jan.

I'm pretty stoked for being able to correct lens distortions and enjoy the more advanced resizing+sharpening options that Aperture doesn't provide, among all the other cool features I haven't even identified as things I could find useful.