Posted by Sharon Menke on June 18, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Hi, I am a newbie here and I was wondering what would be the best digital imaging program for me? I currently have and have been using PhotoShop 5.0 LE which came with my Windows computer and I was debating whether I should upgrade that or get a totally different program. Thank you in advance for your input.
Is PhotoShop 5.0 LE the full Photoshop Elements 5.0? I don't believe that is the case, but if it is, there is nothing wrong with sticking with that program. Especially if you are just starting to learn the digital end of photography, it is an excellent program with all of the features you need. For what it might be worth, every image I have ever sold, whether as prints or rights, was editted on Elements 1 or 3. The CS2 images have only recently entered my stock files.
If it not PS Elements, that this the program I would consider going up to. The cost is reasonable, $100, and very well designed. If you decide later to go to the full PS CS3, you'll be fairly familar with the environment.
If money is not an issue, or you do a LOT of image processing, CS2 or CS3 is the standard. There are some features which are easier to handle in the full blown version (16 bits, full use of curves), some features which don't exist in Elements 5, and some features that just plain make your life easier if you are handling dozens or hundreds of images at once (macros, but I forget the technical name for them). You'll never learn how to use every feature, which says more about the capabilities of the program than about you. One of my friends has joked about the program that if you can't do the same task three different ways in the program, then you really don't know how to do it in the first place.
Short summary: If you are starting out, PS Elements. If you are far more advanced, or working in a professional context, CS2 or 3.
Posted by Richard Wong on June 18, 2007 at 2:24 PM
I had the 5.5 LE and it is plenty good enough to cut your teeth on imaging.
Paint Shop Pro is a pretty amazing program as well. It can do certain things much easier than Photoshop. You can always download a 30 day fully functional trial for free, without having to transmit any personal or credit card info. Another extremely useful program is Qimage, a printing utility. I cannot get results from any imaging program to match the quality and consistency of results from this program.
Posted by Sharon Menke on June 20, 2007 at 3:20 PM
Thank you for all your input. No, the PhotoShop 5.0 LE is not the full PhotoShop Elements. I would call it a "trial" version as it does not have all of the features in it. I did find a trial version of the PhotoShop Elements on-line and am trying that out now. So far, I find that it is easier than PhotoShop and am pleased with it. I will check out the Qimage program as well. Thank you again.
I'll have to give my endorsement to PaintShopPro. Very intuitive to use and I especially like the Digital Camera Noise Removal function. You can target noise types or patterns and it will eliminate noise only where it find the type that you've targeted and it also sharpens using a high pass filter which does not sharpen noise. All of this is adjustable in fine inciments.
Discussion
5 repliesIf it not PS Elements, that this the program I would consider going up to. The cost is reasonable, $100, and very well designed. If you decide later to go to the full PS CS3, you'll be fairly familar with the environment.
If money is not an issue, or you do a LOT of image processing, CS2 or CS3 is the standard. There are some features which are easier to handle in the full blown version (16 bits, full use of curves), some features which don't exist in Elements 5, and some features that just plain make your life easier if you are handling dozens or hundreds of images at once (macros, but I forget the technical name for them). You'll never learn how to use every feature, which says more about the capabilities of the program than about you. One of my friends has joked about the program that if you can't do the same task three different ways in the program, then you really don't know how to do it in the first place.
Short summary: If you are starting out, PS Elements. If you are far more advanced, or working in a professional context, CS2 or 3.
Bob