Elements vs. Photoshop 7

AW
Posted By
Alan Wonsowski
Dec 16, 2003
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821
Replies
10
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I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes? Opinions and comments welcomed.

Thanks,
Alan
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T
tom187
Dec 16, 2003
Alan Wonsowski <awonsowatattglobal.network@> wrote:

I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes? Opinions and comments welcomed.

If you intend to use the software purely as an amateur photographer or photos for web use then Elements would be a better choice. Unless you intend to do professional printing (4-color process) or are relatively expert at image enhancement the added features of Photoshop would probably not be of use to you. Also, I think you’ve underestimated the cost of Photoshop, unless you’ve found a real bargain.

You could also consider other consumer oriented software such as Paint Shop Pro which is also in the $100 range I think, and (at least the last time I bothered to look) was offered as shareware with a free trial period.
——————————-
Tom

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weil91
Dec 16, 2003
Hi Alan,

<< I understand that Adobe has a basic
software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. >>

I have and use both programs (PSE 2, PS 5.5, 6, and 7). All are excellent programs for their intended uses.

Starting out with PSE 2 would cover all of the needs you mentioned. With rebate you should be able to purchase a copy for about $50 (U.S.) and it has a shorter learning curve than PS.

If, after awhile of using PSE 2, you feel you need more capabilities of PS — then you may want to purchase a copy of PS (PS CS lists for $649).

Best,

Conrad

Conrad Weiler
Camp Sherman, Oregon
B
bhilton665
Dec 16, 2003
From: Alan Wonsowski awonsowatattglobal.network@

I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements.

Elements will do all these tasks quite well, plus a lot more. For what you’re describing you’ll be fine with Elements, at least for a while.

I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400.

I often see Elements listed at the local Fry’s Electronics for $80-90 with a rebate that drops the cost to $50. It’s also bundled with a lot of products so you get it free, for example with scanners or cameras. I use Photoshop but got a freebie copy of Elements when my wife bought a Canon 10D digital camera, for example, and loaded it just for kicks. So if you might be buying a camera or scanner soon you might check to see if you get Elements free, or at least look for one of the rebate sales.

Bill
MH
Matti Haveri
Dec 16, 2003
In article ,
Alan Wonsowski <awonsowatattglobal.network@> wrote:

(Elements) which is more limited than PS 7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes?

No. PS Elements has plenty of features for even advanced users. Just ignore most of its wizards.

—
Matti Haveri <mattiDOThaveriATsjokiDOTutaeiroskaaDOTfi> remove ei roskaa
Z
zuuum
Dec 17, 2003
As most of the posted responses said, Elements or one of the other lower cost programs like PrintshopPro or Corel PhotoPaint will be fine for your intented purposes. In my opinion, Photoshop is generally overkill unless you are intending to produce commercial prints for applications like magazine layouts, books and postcards or litho artwork. And, you can add another $200 to your estimated cost of the program. Unless you expect to recoup that investment in marketed works, it seems a bit extravagant.

"Alan Wonsowski" <awonsowatattglobal.network@> wrote in message
I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes? Opinions and comments welcomed.

Thanks,
Alan
W
weil91
Dec 17, 2003
<< In my opinion, Photoshop is generally overkill unless you are intending to produce commercial prints for applications like magazine layouts, books and postcards or litho artwork. >>

I used to think that way also – until I started using ‘curves’. Now I think PSE 2 is fine for most general things but PS ‘curves’ can make good pictures look better.

I realize that Richard Lynch and his book promises ‘curves’ for PSE users – but I like directly using ‘curves’ in PS.

Best,

Conrad

Conrad Weiler
Camp Sherman, Oregon
G
GTH
Dec 17, 2003
All the advice given in the other posts is right on. If you have never used a photo editing program, PS 7.0 will be daunting, and a lot more expensive than your estimate.

PS Elements is really a great program, and it would be perfect for what you need to do. It is a great introduction to photo editing.

I recommend Elements over the other products, however, because you may decide to move up to the full Photoshop program later, and, if you do, you will already be familiar with many of its functions from having used Elements.

I also recommend an after-market book on using Elements. There are quite a few available. Visit a good bookstore and flip through them.

On Tue, 16 Dec 2003 03:10:55 -0500, Alan Wonsowski
<awonsowatattglobal.network@> wrote:

I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes? Opinions and comments welcomed.

Thanks,
Alan
GD
Grant Dixon
Dec 17, 2003
Alan

If you would like to see what can be done with Elements both in graphic art and photography go to

http://home.cogeco.ca/~challenge/

If you want to talk to some dedicated users of Elements go to the Elements section in
http://www.adobe.com/support/forums/main.html
some also use PhotoShop

Grant
OP
OKC Photographer
Dec 18, 2003
I bought Photoshop Elements at Sam’s a couple of weeks ago for about $55.00, including tax. It’s a lot easier to work with than PhotoShop 7.0 or CS. And, you can always upgrade in the future.

OKCP

"Alan Wonsowski" <awonsowatattglobal.network@> wrote in message

I am a newby to digital photography and have been reading this NG to learn more about photo software. I understand that Adobe has a basic software for limited purposes (Elements) which is more limited than PS
7. My main use of the software would be to crop, deal with red-eye and
also, blur backgrounds and make other minor enhancements. I understand that Elements costs about $100 and PS 7 $400. Are the advantages of PS 7 worth the additional cost for my intended purposes? Opinions and comments welcomed.

Thanks,
Alan
W
weil91
Dec 18, 2003
<< If you would like to see what can be done with Elements both in graphic art and photography go to

http://home.cogeco.ca/~challenge/

Thanks Grant.

Best,

Conrad

Conrad Weiler
Camp Sherman, Oregon

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