Photoshop or Paintshop Pro? - DPChallenge Forums

09/16/2003 01:23:37 PM · #1

I need some help / advice. I have the retail versions of both of these and since I am such an amateur often have a hard time with my photo editing. Are there any shortcuts or tips anyone could give me with these?? Thanks.

Steve

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/16/2003 01:54:27 PM · #2

well if you really have a boxed version of photoshop
the price tags should hint at which to put your effort into.

advice with either - use a certain tool - then undo it - use it again
in a different manner - undo - repeat until you know each tools in's and out's

at that point you can start using multple tools effectively

soup

C-Fox

Canon EOS-20D

09/16/2003 02:40:26 PM · #3

Photoshop elements is a scalled down version of Photoshop but will let you do 99% of the common features. There are books and I have both as well (Photoshop elements and Paintshop Pro at least) I find myself using elements more and more.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

09/16/2003 03:24:32 PM · #4

C-Fox....if I understand your reply, Adobe Photoshop Elements (is that like version 2.0???) is what you keep defaulting to for its inherent ease of use, plus the fact that is does virtually all that you need editing software to do. Not that other software (PSP 8) isn't valuable, just that for the majority of your day to day editing, elements satisfies your needs. Is this correct? If so, then this helps me alot. Having both PSP-8 and Adobe 2.0 (from my printer software/Epson 2200) plus the paint software that came with my HP media center and the software from my scanner (Epson 3200), I'm overwhelmed with tools. If I can concentrate on just mastering one, then my time will be better utilyzed. Per your reply, I should concentrate on 2.0 and worry about the rest later. Yes?

09/16/2003 03:42:11 PM · #5

I have used both programs, and they both do basically the same things. I don't own Photoshop its way overpriced when you can go out and get PSP for about a quarter of the price of Photoshop.

The price of photoshop doesn't make it a better program, the price is set by some marketing genius who knows that the general public thinks the higher the price the better so they actually scam you into spending a lot more for the same basic type of program! That's free enterprise and the only way to beat it is be informed when you make your purchase. If you haven't purchased either one check out the JASC and Adobe sites for free trail versions and try them out and make your decison on actual use.

09/16/2003 03:49:15 PM · #6

photoshop is tried and tested
when you get down to usability & functionality

it is relative to what you use it for
to crop and resize almost anything will work
to take a photo and play with it - another story

adobe elements is about equal to PSP.
i also own PSP7 and fireworks4 and just dont like them

in the long run - you usually get what you pay for.

soup

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/16/2003 03:51:35 PM · #7

Haven't used paintshop Pro in a while, so maybe some of the people who use it could answer this.

Does it handle colour profiles or general ICM colour management ?

Can you soft proof prints in it ?

Can you do duotones to get good control for B&W prints with colour inks ?

Not sure if Elements does that either - those are the 3 main things I use in photoshop that don't seem to exist in many of the free tools. Certainly not much of an issue for web based output, but critical for good quality, controllable, repeatable prints.

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 15:51:59.

09/16/2003 04:32:31 PM · #8

Originally posted by Gordon:

Those can all be accomplished with PSP 8.0 from what I am hearing, not sure if it is part of the actual package or if it is a plug in though.

Chez

Nikon D100

09/16/2003 04:34:15 PM · #9

Gordon, yes is the answer to your questions on ICC profiles and proofing in PSP .

I have Adobe PS, PSP and Elements, Elements is pretty much the same as PS except for a slightly different menu structure and a few added core functions. PSP is not a bad tool at all, depends on personal taste, It works in a different way and may go against the grain for those PS people but you can do almost everything you can do in PS including using PS plugins. If budget is your priority go with PSP it is worth it and Version 8 is out now and supposed to be very good.

e301

09/16/2003 04:34:46 PM · #10

don't know what soft-proffing is, but otherwise the answer is yes, Gordon.

For amateur, even committed amateur photographers, PSP is way better value than PS. Imagine ..., which had a deal of processing, was made in PSP, so I think I can claim some in-depth knowledge :-)

The primary advantage that PS has is the variety of selection tools that just aren't duplicated in PSP: it can still be done, but is so much harder. That's the only down-side I've experienced, and that probably only affects those who are serious about manipulated and combined images.

Ed

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG for Canon

09/16/2003 04:40:07 PM · #11

Originally posted by soup:

What you pay for huh? Well since you paid the extra $300 for Photoshop then maybe you could tell me why photoshop runs considerably slower than PSP.

I'm bitting my tongue at the moment about what you pay for.

robsmith

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/16/2003 04:48:29 PM · #12

Originally posted by OneSweetSin:

Photoshop runs slower than PaintShop Pro? Have you used version 8 of PSP, about as speedy as a donkey with a broken leg.

09/16/2003 04:49:48 PM · #13

me too ;}

learned on photoshop, seems worth it to me
psp7 is frustrating
the thread starter seems to own both as well

and wondered which should be the focus
its not really an issue of price - but ease, and preference

soup

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 16:52:39.

09/16/2003 04:59:20 PM · #14

Originally posted by robsmith:

Photoshop runs slower than PaintShop Pro? Have you used version 8 of PSP, about as speedy as a donkey with a broken leg.

I have used PSP 5, 6, 7 and I tried 8 it is as slow as photoshop and for that very reason I didn't upgrade and stayed with 7. Both PSP 8.0 and Photoshop 7.0 seemed to lag and I couldn't run other programs if I left it open on desktop. Although both were trail version neither one impressed me and I stayed with PSP 7.0

vonautsch

Nikon Coolpix B500

09/16/2003 05:00:12 PM · #15

PSP 8.0 works quite fast for me, but then I have a dual 1.0Gz machine with 1.0Gb of memory...

I have used both and I think both work great. My advice would be to learn Photoshop since you already have it. PSP is good for those of us who don't have the money for Photoshop (for me, I spent it on the computer.)

09/16/2003 05:04:11 PM · #16

build it from the old PC
www.tigerdirect.com
barebones kits
cheap and fairly easy
gateway 333cel 128M to p4 1.8ghz 512M for $300
- last year
same price but faster today...

if i could build a nice camera - ah the joy

soup

//www.bsa.org/usa/antipiracy/Piracy-and-the-Law.cfm

09/16/2003 06:40:02 PM · #17

I have both PSP 8 and Photoshop, full versions but I didn't pay a cent cause I downloaded them from Kazaa. I find Photoshop a bit easier to use however, but then again there are terms related to the after shot that I don't understand as far as editing go so I do a lot of experimenting with do and undo as I go along. Thanks gang!

Steve

Chez

Nikon D100

09/17/2003 12:13:42 PM · #18

Most Image processing software is memory intensive. I run with 1 gig of ram and can open Photoshop and PSP and Elements. Now I know not everyone has that much Ram I am just pointing out that to speed these programs up you need the memory.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/17/2003 12:39:22 PM · #19

Davenit

Canon EOS-1D

09/17/2003 12:41:28 PM · #20

Removed by me...

Message edited by author 2003-09-17 13:37:17.

09/17/2003 12:55:21 PM · #21

Originally posted by Davenit:

Originally posted by Stewan:
I have both PSP 8 and Photoshop, full versions but I didn't pay a cent cause I downloaded them from Kazaa.

Steve

Ahhhhh, I can just hear the conversation:

Caller: Ummm, hello, Justice department? Yeah some luney just posted that he downloads software from Kazaa.

Dont' think so, but thanks for your concern! Is the government so ignorant they think people DON'T download from Kazaa? Don't worry about me so much....:)

Justice department: And they stated it out loud?

Caller: Yes. I heard about he 12 year old they just indicted for downloading a $4 song. Thought that you might be interested in someone downloading a $500 software package...

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just mention Kazaa or Limeware and you might get busted in this day and age...

09/17/2003 12:57:01 PM · #22

Don't worry about it. Do you think they don't know people download from Kazaa? Thanks for your concern tho :)

Davenit

Canon EOS-1D

09/17/2003 01:36:40 PM · #23

Yeah, I also know they are busting them left and right. 1 song is a $250,000 fine. Adobe will hit you for a mil easy. They have done it TONS of times.

Just a heads up bro. Do not be cavalier. Remove your post. It is not worth the risk just to look cool. It is totally against the law. There may be some site copability also. Just an FYI - Believe me... Remove or edit your posts...

Message edited by author 2003-09-17 13:37:36.