PSEvs plainPS

[RalphLambrecht]

I could live with Elements if it would have the same curve adjustment tool as PS. without it,E lements is rough.

 

[ann]

Also, be aware Elements only works with 8 bit files. not 16

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Also, be aware Elements only works with 8 bit files. not 16

that is not the case,but it has limits for CMYK files.

 

[Hatchetman]

I use Elements and it works fine for me. I can't even figure out half of what it does. It does have a curve adjustment tool, I don't know how it compares to the full Photoshop.

 

[OzJohn]

I guess you're never going to get the real thing for less than a quarter of the money. The only version of Elements I tried was v2 a long time ago when Photoshop 7 was the big brother. Talk about no curves, version 2 didn't even have levels but curiously it did have a similar browser to PS7 and IMHO that browser was streets ahead of any version of it's replacement - Bridge. I used Elements2 for a month or so then bought PS7 and have upgraded it over the years but CS6 is the end of the line for me as I won't buy subscription software from Adobe or anyone else and that includes anti-virus vendors who were very early adopters of the idea. OzJohn

 

[ann]

that is not the case,but it has limits for CMYK files.

Sorry if i was wrong, I was told that by someone I thought was very knowledgeable and in fact teaches photo editing

 

[Alan Klein]

I use Lightroom LR3. The latest version is LR5 which is even better. It has very good adjustments including curves and operates in 16 bits. A lot cheaper that the full blown PS which has features that most photgraphers don't use. Lightroom is pretty intuitive to learn as well. It's very straightforward. I use to use Elementsw 8 but switched to LR for most of my work. LR allows you switch back into Elements or any other plug-in while processing in LR if there are any things you need ELements or other plu-ins for that Lightroom doesn't have. Why don't you download a free copy to try it out.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I believe Elements is missing layers, which was a show stopper for me years ago. I think back then it was also limited to 8bit files. It sounds like that has now changed.

If I didn't scan, and only shot with a digital camera i could probably work solely in LightRoom.

 

[Alan Klein]

Larry Why does scanning change that over digital?

 

[L Gebhardt]

Lightroom is very slow with large scans. I frequently have large format drum scans over a GB before any edits. Then my drum scanner software does a pretty bad job with color negatives, so I scan with minimal adjustments in the scanner software and do most of the work in Photoshop. Lightroom just isn't the right tool for this type of work.

 

[Hatchetman]

Elements now has layers. As far as I can tell, the big difference is the 8-bit vs 16-bit. But with Photoshop going to the cloud, you can get the full suite for $10/month. Might as well go that route. I already have Elements though.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I believe Elements is missing layers, which was a show stopper for me years ago. I think back then it was also limited to 8bit files. It sounds like that has now changed.

If I didn't scan, and only shot with a digital camera i could probably work solely in LightRoom.

sorry, but that's not true eitherPSEhas layers and even layr masks.That's why I wonder what anyone needs PS for.

 

[ann]

Because at one time PS was the only game in town we had, and it seems we get stuck in a rut with old thinking.

I have PS but rarely use it and then only as a platform for other software.

At one time Elements was just that and lacked many of the the features including layers and 16 bit operation.

Adobe has been adding more and more function to that software as well as pushing photographers in the direction of Lightroom for several years, as they are well aware that PS is really a graphic design program.

 

[L Gebhardt]

sorry, but that's not true eitherPSEhas layers and even layr masks.That's why I wonder what anyone needs PS for.

If they have indeed added layers and 16bit support I too would question if you need the full version. Last I checked (many years ago) Elements was missing these major features.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

my version of Elements'11' has 16 bit, layers and masks but noCMYKfile saving; only RGB, which is a pain when working with magazine or book publishers. they need CMYK for color separation.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Elements now has layers. As far as I can tell, the big difference is the 8-bit vs 16-bit. But with Photoshop going to the cloud, you can get the full suite for $10/month. Might as well go that route. I already have Elements though.

I apologize for my earlier statement and stand correctedPSEdoes indeed have trouble opening 16 bit filesbut reduces them to 8 bit in order to work with them; old dog; new tricks.

 

[ann]

not too worry, happens to us all

 

[OzJohn]

my version of Elements'11' has 16 bit, layers and masks but noCMYKfile saving; only RGB, which is a pain when working with magazine or book publishers. they need CMYK for color separation.

Somewhere someone from Adobe has said that CMYK is a line in the sand that will not be crossed by the cheaper program. Apparently, if you need CMYK you are working professionally and should be using the professional program (read should be buying it and at a professional price of course!). OzJohn

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Somewhere someone from Adobe has said that CMYK is a line in the sand that will not be crossed by the cheaper program. Apparently, if you need CMYK you are working professionally and should be using the professional program (read should be buying it and at a professional price of course!). OzJohn

maybe,Ishould just send my paycheck to Adobeand forget the house payment.

 

[ann]

Now Ralph, you know digital is cheaper than film

 

[L Gebhardt]

I really can't complain about $10 per month for PhotoShop and Lightroom combined. It's about the same price as keeping one of them up to date with upgrades.

 

[pschwart]

I apologize for my earlier statement and stand correctedPSEdoes indeed have trouble opening 16 bit filesbut reduces them to 8 bit in order to work with them; old dog; new tricks.

See below, from Adobe's PSE forum. Best solution: download the free legacy CS2 or stick with what you have. I'm happy with CS3; the subscription model has no benefits for me. LR doesn't do layers, so it's no Photoshop replacement.

• There is very little 16-bit support in Photshop Elements. You cannot create or convert an image to 16-bit, only open images that are already 16-bit. While working with a 16-bit image you cannot work with layers. The following tools do not work: Magic Wand, Selection Brush, the family of Type tools, Recompose, Cookie Cutter, Straighten, the brush based tools (Paint Brush, Eraser, Dodge, Blur, etc), or the shape based tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Custom Shape, etc). Many filters do not work, mainly those featured in the Filter Gallery.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

thanks for the clarification. Idecided to go CCand stick with PS. I can do all I need with it easily enough;though still learning every day.

 

[L Gebhardt]

In case anyone missed it, you can subscribe to Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for $9.99 per month for the first year. No prior version of the apps are needed until December 8th.

https://creative.adobe.com/plans/offer/photoshop+lightroom

After this I think you can still get the same price, but you must own a previous version of PS or LR.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

It took me the last 6 month working with PS and PSE to come to the conclusion that the 'real'PS is hard to beat. It's all I need and want;the price?Well,that's just the cost of doing businessunless you want to play withe boysPS is a must.