Elements 7 to CS3

I read this post about upgrading from Elements to CS3.
https://photography-on-the.net …13&highlight=el​ements+cs3

My situation is a little different. I'm an intermediate user of Elements, but am interested in upgrading to improve work flow, batch, process, and have more advance editing features. And with CS4 out, CS3 is ~$100 on ebay.

Will CS3 actions and batch process help save time? I just did a Martial arts studio and took pictures of almost 40 students. Even after weeding out the bad photos, there's still a lot of PS work to be done.

Is there anything I should be aware of when purchasing a "new version" of CS3 on ebay? I want to make sure I get a valid copy and have a upgrade path to CS4, etc. in the future.

I'm wondering if, in the usual black hole of the typical Martial arts studio, you added any lighting? And, did you shoot RAW?

Personally, most of my PP is done in a RAW converter & I still use PS7 for touch up. You could use DPP with PSE7 & get along just fine. OTOH, I suppose that $100 for CS3 will be hard to resist.

I have been going thru a similar evaluation.
I just read this thread below https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=783578
Check out Elements+ ($12)and Grants Tools (free)as they seem to add a lot of functionality to PSE.
Worth the try instead of spending mega bucks for CS3 or CS4.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #9067096
I'm wondering if, in the usual black hole of the typical Martial arts studio, you added any lighting? And, did you shoot RAW? Personally, most of my PP is done in a RAW converter & I still use PS7 for touch up. You could use DPP with PSE7 & get along just fine. OTOH, I suppose that $100 for CS3 will be hard to resist.

These sessions done with backdrop and lighting. I went all white, but I didn't blow out the background enough so there will be cleaning up to get things all white. I shot RAW tethered to a laptop. I auto imported to Lightroom and saved as DNG. My normal work flow is to to save as DNG, do as many adjustments in LR as possible, and PS when needed. I guess what attracts me most to CS3 is the actions/batch processing, and selection tools that I've read about. I'm just not sure how they work.

If someone has some input on how CS3/4 helps their work flow, please chime in.

chrisvl wrote in post #9067391
I have been going thru a similar evaluation.
I just read this thread below https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=783578
Check out Elements+ ($12)and Grants Tools (free)as they seem to add a lot of functionality to PSE.
Worth the try instead of spending mega bucks for CS3 or CS4.

Yes, I saw that post. There's GIMP too. However, with CS3 at $100-150, it's not much more that Elements. Plus you have an upgrade path in the future.

I thought you already had PSE..
Elements+ is only $12.
If you don't already own PSE then CS3 at $100 is a bargain but make sure it's a legit copy.
Saw a Fiasco in the Buy & Sell a couple of weeks back.

I was confused but I got it now. Grants tools, Elements+, I found them! Very cool stuff. I'll be reading up more on them tonight.

http://www.cavesofice.​org …hallenge/Tools/​Files.html
http://elementsplus.ne​t/

I guess the only thing I really don't understand is what CS3/4 batch processing, actions, & pen tool can do to help save time.

based on the the post pen tool is the ultimate for extracting a subject.
My question would be how does Elements+ batch compare to batch in CS3/4?

I think I was off the mark in the beginning. If I really felt as though I could get a valid copy of CS3 for $100, it would be a no brainer. In hindsight, it's a "too good to be true" deal. I can still get the college edition for $200. That's not bad.