Questions again with photoshop!

Hi. A few days ago I inquired about the student version of Photoshop, thanks for the information! Now, I have another question. I had my husband check at the school he attends for Photoshop. The guy in the bookstore said that he has the 2005 version of "Elements" and would sell it to him for $25. Yes they did have the "large" version of Photoshop but his suggestion was what I have been thinking about anyway. I am just learning about photography now (doing the NYIP course) and I know the learning curve is steep on Photoshop. Do you all think that the Elements version for $25 would be a good place to start? I do have the most current version of Paintshop Pro, is Elements any better than this? Maybe getting the Adobe Elements would get me more familar with the Photoshop product? Advice appreciated, Thanks!

Chris

For $25 I'd certainly say Yes to a legal copy of Elements as long as it's version 3 or 4. It's well worth $25. In the long run you might want to go to full PS, but you might find Elements to be enough. And it's a bargain at $25.

As I read this I see an ad for PSE for $55, so $25 would be a steal, especially if it isn't a legit copy!

IMO PE just doesn't do it for me, nor do I see it as a way to "Learn" PS, too many limitations. But, I know plenty of folks that use it for simple image adjustments. I find that my images look bitmapped in PE. I don't feel it gives images justice. Just an opiinion.

joayne

Thanks for the input! I guess I'll go ahead and get it. Hey, what's $25 bucks. Not used, he pulled it off the shelf and set it aside. I agree Photoshop probably does a million things more but I am taking into consideration the fact that I don't even know how to take a correct photo yet let alone find time to use a professional program. When I get the camera and photography down pat then I will definately get off the porch and run with the big dogs!

Thanks again!

Chris

Sometimes Adobe runs specials which allow you to upgrade from Elements to full Photoshop for a very reasonable price, so you might be able to upgrade later if you feel you need to.

Hello,

The most significant limitation that I found with Elements 3 v.s. Photoshop CS/CS2 is the lack of ability to blend two content layers with a mask. It's possible to blend adjustment layers using a mask, but not content layers. Fortunately, it's not terribly difficult to add this capability to Photoshop Elements 2-4. I don't have the link handy, but if anyone's interested, just private mesage me and I'll post it. You can probably find this using a google search as well.

If you're using an sRGB workflow, I believe that you could get on quite nicely with PSE 3 or 4, especially if you add the extra actions hack that adds curves and content layer masks.