Which Photo shop?

andybeveridge · 09-04-2010, 02:04 PM

About to invest in version. Mostly for my other half who is really interested in photography since we moved here to the south of France.
I have a feeling that I might jump on it now and again to make some headers etc.

Any Ideas as to which version of this to buy? I know elements is cheaper and would probably do, but there is like 8 versions of that out there.

Help me spend my money guys.

taylorwinfield4 · 09-04-2010, 02:09 PM

Depends really what you want to do it with the software, elements is cheaper because it is just as the title states the basic elements. The newest version is Photoshop CS5 which I am running to make my web graphics etc, and it really is good for everything from graphics to photography work, however sometimes the features can be overwhelming.

It depends how much your other half is into in terms of the editing side of photography, CS5 has everything, but if they just want to black and white/put basic effects on, I think you can save some money and go with elements.

I hope that made sense!

Paul Coleman · 09-04-2010, 02:35 PM

Try them first:

Adobe - Downloads

You have 30 days to check them out. Also try Lightroom. And if either of you have a student ID, use that for the educational discount. ;-)

Paul

Digitrendz · 09-04-2010, 02:38 PM

I agree with Paul. You must try the latest version. If you find it too advanced then you go and buy old versions.

travlinguy · 09-04-2010, 02:45 PM

When you do decide what version you want be sure to check out eBay. You should be able to find what you want legitimately at a deeply discounted price. I got new, in the box, never registered CS2 for under a hundred bucks last year. I love it. Good luck.

andybeveridge · 09-04-2010, 02:54 PM

Thanks everyone.

Paul, I just downloaded your free ebook Instant Product. Wow! your giving away some value there.

Paul Guilfoyle · 09-04-2010, 02:54 PM

Try Gimp first before you spend a lot of money on Photoshop.

Gimp is a great program and is FREE

spearce000 · 09-06-2010, 08:04 AM

It all depends what you're going to use it for. For most hobby photographers, Photoshop Elements is perfectly adequate. By all means do as Paul suggests and download the free trial of the latest version. If it has a lot of bells and whistles you don't need, have a look on eBay for a second user copy of Photoshop 7 or Photoshop CS2 as they are the core that later versions are built on. Just make sure you're getting a genuine copy and not an illegal "knock-off".

As far as alternatives are concerned Serif PhotoPlus is underrated IMHO. You can download a free version from here: PhotoPlus – Free Image & Photo Editing Software Download

DrewG · 09-06-2010, 08:17 AM

I haven't really noticed all that many changes since CS2.

RyanRobinson · 09-06-2010, 08:23 AM

Would definitely try GIMP before you buy Photoshop.

However, I would buy Photoshop 7. I use CS4 at work but when I need to switch computers which have Photoshop 7 on them. I find it more than suitable for my web design needs.

DogScout · 09-06-2010, 09:04 AM

PaintShop Pro is much cheaper... Get version 9 or older. 10 and above includes DMCA spy-ware. Same with Photoshop, use version 7 or older, Later versions come with DMCA spy-ware. There are free less powerful graphics programs out there that may be enough to do what you are looking for, however version 9 of Paintshop Pro at ebay or another used program selling site can usually be had for under $20 and will be compatible with most of the filters available, (around 4,000 free ones, though most you'd never use).

Jill Carpenter · 09-06-2010, 11:23 AM

This is all going to depend highly on what type of photography she is expecting to do and just how fancy you are going to get with your headers.

I own Photoshop CS3 - have also used photoshop 6 in the past. Both did much of the same stuff - but CS3 moved some stuff around visually, and became more suited for more recent web requirements.

I have a client who I recently went to visit who is using Elements 3.

I have to say I was quite impressed. She sends in photos for a local paper. She actually uses Iphoto to do some minor edits ie color adjustment - but you can do it too on elements. What she needed help with was learning how to properly tag the photos and fill in all the commentary and details - and this was all on Elements.

She was also in need of a watermark to put over her pictures and I was even able to create a transparent PNG file to create the watermark using Elements.

As for making some simple headers I'm confident it can handle that.

I will warn you though - while I can create banners with CS3 I find I'm not really a graphic designer. The time it takes me is very time consuming and for 10 bucks or so I can just hire someone to make a professional looking one.

Unless you are looking to do massive amounts of graphics or really get into design, the Photoshop CS versions will likely be great overkill.

I do recommend you check out the free downloads to try.

Also, when I first got into photoshop I found a weekend class at a community college which gave me a massive jumpstart to getting a handle on the program - so if you do go pro you might want to look around for this.

09-04-2010, 02:04 PM	#1
andybeveridge Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pyrenees Posts: 568 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 395 Thanked 344 Times in 107 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Which Photo shop? About to invest in version. Mostly for my other half who is really interested in photography since we moved here to the south of France. I have a feeling that I might jump on it now and again to make some headers etc. Any Ideas as to which version of this to buy? I know elements is cheaper and would probably do, but there is like 8 versions of that out there. Help me spend my money guys.

09-04-2010, 02:09 PM	#2
taylorwinfield4 Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Leicestershire, UK Posts: 49 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? Depends really what you want to do it with the software, elements is cheaper because it is just as the title states the basic elements. The newest version is Photoshop CS5 which I am running to make my web graphics etc, and it really is good for everything from graphics to photography work, however sometimes the features can be overwhelming. It depends how much your other half is into in terms of the editing side of photography, CS5 has everything, but if they just want to black and white/put basic effects on, I think you can save some money and go with elements. I hope that made sense!

09-04-2010, 02:35 PM	#3
Paul Coleman bookPumper.com War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: California + Mexico Posts: 1,161 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 716 Thanked 1,647 Times in 176 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? Try them first: Adobe - Downloads You have 30 days to check them out. Also try Lightroom. And if either of you have a student ID, use that for the educational discount. ;-) Paul

09-04-2010, 02:38 PM	#4
Digitrendz eBusiness Solutions War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 78 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Which Photo shop? I agree with Paul. You must try the latest version. If you find it too advanced then you go and buy old versions.

09-04-2010, 02:45 PM	#5
travlinguy Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Hemisphere, for now. Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 1,315 Thanked 1,634 Times in 955 Posts Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? When you do decide what version you want be sure to check out eBay. You should be able to find what you want legitimately at a deeply discounted price. I got new, in the box, never registered CS2 for under a hundred bucks last year. I love it. Good luck.

09-04-2010, 02:54 PM	#6
andybeveridge Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pyrenees Posts: 568 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 395 Thanked 344 Times in 107 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? Thanks everyone. Paul, I just downloaded your free ebook Instant Product. Wow! your giving away some value there.

09-04-2010, 02:54 PM	#7
Paul Guilfoyle HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 302 Thanks: 8 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Which Photo shop? Try Gimp first before you spend a lot of money on Photoshop. Gimp is a great program and is FREE

09-06-2010, 08:04 AM	#8
spearce000 Video Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near the beach on the "Kentish Rivera", UK Posts: 882 Thanks: 138 Thanked 89 Times in 77 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? It all depends what you're going to use it for. For most hobby photographers, Photoshop Elements is perfectly adequate. By all means do as Paul suggests and download the free trial of the latest version. If it has a lot of bells and whistles you don't need, have a look on eBay for a second user copy of Photoshop 7 or Photoshop CS2 as they are the core that later versions are built on. Just make sure you're getting a genuine copy and not an illegal "knock-off". As far as alternatives are concerned Serif PhotoPlus is underrated IMHO. You can download a free version from here: PhotoPlus – Free Image & Photo Editing Software Download

09-06-2010, 08:17 AM	#9
DrewG UltimateIMGraphics.com War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 539 Blog Entries: 12 Thanks: 113 Thanked 77 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Which Photo shop? I haven't really noticed all that many changes since CS2.

09-06-2010, 08:23 AM	#10
RyanRobinson Active Warrior Join Date: May 2010 Location: England Posts: 67 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Which Photo shop? Would definitely try GIMP before you buy Photoshop. However, I would buy Photoshop 7. I use CS4 at work but when I need to switch computers which have Photoshop 7 on them. I find it more than suitable for my web design needs.

09-06-2010, 09:04 AM	#11
DogScout Self Unemployed War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 697 Thanked 618 Times in 367 Posts Social Networking	Re: Which Photo shop? PaintShop Pro is much cheaper... Get version 9 or older. 10 and above includes DMCA spy-ware. Same with Photoshop, use version 7 or older, Later versions come with DMCA spy-ware. There are free less powerful graphics programs out there that may be enough to do what you are looking for, however version 9 of Paintshop Pro at ebay or another used program selling site can usually be had for under $20 and will be compatible with most of the filters available, (around 4,000 free ones, though most you'd never use).

09-06-2010, 11:23 AM	#12
Jill Carpenter aka Avenuegirl War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Right where I want to be... Posts: 5,683 Blog Entries: 24 Thanks: 1,456 Thanked 2,093 Times in 1,185 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which Photo shop? This is all going to depend highly on what type of photography she is expecting to do and just how fancy you are going to get with your headers. I own Photoshop CS3 - have also used photoshop 6 in the past. Both did much of the same stuff - but CS3 moved some stuff around visually, and became more suited for more recent web requirements. I have a client who I recently went to visit who is using Elements 3. I have to say I was quite impressed. She sends in photos for a local paper. She actually uses Iphoto to do some minor edits ie color adjustment - but you can do it too on elements. What she needed help with was learning how to properly tag the photos and fill in all the commentary and details - and this was all on Elements. She was also in need of a watermark to put over her pictures and I was even able to create a transparent PNG file to create the watermark using Elements. As for making some simple headers I'm confident it can handle that. I will warn you though - while I can create banners with CS3 I find I'm not really a graphic designer. The time it takes me is very time consuming and for 10 bucks or so I can just hire someone to make a professional looking one. Unless you are looking to do massive amounts of graphics or really get into design, the Photoshop CS versions will likely be great overkill. I do recommend you check out the free downloads to try. Also, when I first got into photoshop I found a weekend class at a community college which gave me a massive jumpstart to getting a handle on the program - so if you do go pro you might want to look around for this.