CS3+ Lightroom vs. PS Elements 6 vs. ???

Ok folks, so here's the problem:

I've been taking photos for several yrs now and have come to the realization that pp is almost a MUST for my shots. I will admit that I haven't made the transition to 'raw only' just yet, but plan on forcing myself to so that I can fully realize the potential of my work!

I'm an educator for an elementary school so I qualify for purchases at academicsuperstore.com and see some viable options:

*CS3 extended is $297
*CS3 extended + Lightroom is $379.95
*PS Elements 6 is $64.95

I would consider myself one who is a fast learner and very computer LITERATE... however, I look at magazines that give mini lessons & how-to's for photoshop techniques that look pretty dang complicated.

I mainly photograph wildlife, kids, people, sports, etc., for friends and family but don't get paid for my work (FOR NOW, but that is soon to change I hope).

I am interested in purchasing a 40D in the upcoming weeks, and plan on purchasing some pp software beforehand.

I would like to buy cs3 bc it seems that is the 'cream of the crop' so to speak, but I'm not sure if I need all of the things it offers, such as the video editing. On the flip side, Elements seems to cover the basics, but appears to stop short of real creative options that CS3 has.

And... is lightroom something that will be worth an extra $100?

Any thoughts & comments are VERY WELCOME!

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Ok..... so nobody has replied... can't say that i blame you bc there are already so many of these threads floating around the forum. Just kinda wanting some input-----

Lightroom and CS3 are very powerful together. It is worth the extra $100 but if I were you, I would wait until Lightroom 2.0 goes public. I can't comment with a comparison to Elements, but rest assured, if you never dig deep into Photoshop, you wouldn't notice all of the advanced things. You can keep it relatively simple if that is how you work. And if you have Lightroom, you'll probably spend 70% of your time in there developing photos with CS3 used for final touch-ups or pixel-level work.

I use elements 5, PS2, and Lightroom. I have to say that I have really injoyed Lightroom and elements. I just got PS2 (i am a little behind) and I am still learning all about it before I invest in PS3. Lightroom has saved me so much time with editing in batches. They are all the same color! I use a 30D and I am very happy with it. i am currently in the market for a 70-200 with IS. But I guess you can say I have a wishlist too. IMO LR is worth the additional $100. Go for it. You won't be sorry.

Hi
I have LR and PS3 and I use LR almost exclusively. PS is great for lots of things, but I just don't need it as much as I used to since LR works so well for all my raw needs.

LR + Elements is a great combo... you'll have to ask yourself do you want CS3 because it has those extra tools that you'll really use, or do you want it 'just in case'... because remember, Elements may suit you fine for a couple years, and by then, a version or two of CS could have passed.

I think you'd qualify for academic pricing on LR by itself also... (Elements + LR would cost only $169... not bad.)

The real wrinkle for you is the academic pricing... its such a good deal, its hard to pass up... esp. if unsure if you'd qualify in the future... but keep in mind a new version of LR is coming out soon (by end of summer most likely) and hints of CS4 also (though no release date yet, either.) And Adobe doesn't do "free" upgrades if you purchase previous version close to new release.

The one thing that I didn't like about Elements is that most plug-ins won't work on it. I updated to CS2 so that I could use alien skin esp. But i do still use elements for certain areas in editing. All three go well with each other though. AND elements has a magazine that can teach you all of the fun things that can be done.

http://www.photoshopel​ementsuser.com/testimo​nials.php

I use all three of them. First I use LR for my RAW files. I also throw them into PS for added touches. I use Elements for my JPEG files that my wife and I take with out smaller P&S cameras and fixed photos. This way she can find photos quickly and easy with tags and not mess with the RAW.

Yall are awesome!!! Thanks so much for your advice... I probably will order something by the end of the week so I'll let yall know what I decide to do. I LOVE POTN!!!

Funny, I have been contemplating something similar. Before you decide why not download trial versions of all the software you are interested in. Just to get a feel for it!

Let us know what you decide!

reminder... would DEFINATELY wait for new version of LR, at the least... there's going to be a number of new features (just look at the 2.0 beta for starters (more on top of that they haven't even told us about yet)... otherwise you may end up kicking yourself...

in the meantime, perhaps the 30-day trials of LR, the beta2, and Photoshop(s) will hold you over until then (and help you make your decision also.) (edit: looks like poster above beat me to this suggestion )