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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Photoshop - how do people afford it?
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11/30/2008 09:13:46 PM · #1
Hi all.

I am by no means on poor street, but I just can't justify spending the US$699 on Photoshop. I do have Photoshop Elements, but I feel constantly limited by the countless resources (tutorials etc) that are written for Photoshop that I can't use. I struggle because I can't use layer masks, colour curves (well the full version, anyway), and stuff like the pen tool.

Are people realistically forking out 700 bucks (and well over $1,000 for suckers like me who earn Aussie pesos) for Photoshop? I just have the feeling that there is widespread Photoshop piracy going on, which I won't do. Am I right? I just hear people complaining often on the forums about the cost of bodies and lenses, but never about software.

What alternatives are there? Do other people use other software apart from Photoshop and not feel limited? Am I missing something?

11/30/2008 09:15:09 PM · #2
BITCOMET! i jest.. i dont..i do
11/30/2008 09:18:41 PM · #3
steal it from the webz (torrents).
11/30/2008 09:21:58 PM · #4
if you know a student in college you might see if they can purchase it as a "gift" for you. You might be able to get it for around $200US
11/30/2008 09:22:23 PM · #5
The GIMP has nearly all the features of photoshop and is open-source freeware...

ETA: I've been upgrading through editions of PS since version 2.0, so it's not taking a huge chunk of change each time. I don't do them all, though; I'm still on CS3, for example.

R.

Message edited by author 2008-11-30 21:24:00.
11/30/2008 09:23:02 PM · #6
I use free stuff: Irfanview and the Gimp. You can download them from their websites. However, I don't do very much with the photoshop-like stuff in the Gimp, because I myself am limited. Other people here know how to use the Gimp - you might want to search the hardware and software threads.

(That Bear, he beats me all the time).

Message edited by author 2008-11-30 21:23:53.
11/30/2008 09:23:49 PM · #7
I don't really have any interest in bypassing the licensing restrictions, especially as I use the software for commercial purposes. Maybe I'm just being a cheapskate, but I'd just like to hear other people's opinions.
11/30/2008 09:24:33 PM · #8
There are a lot of crooked ways to get Photoshop. A lot of folks probably do it that way.

I can't justify it either. I'll probably never have it.

I use GIMP and a really old version of Paint Shop Pro.

I suspect there's a tremendous amount of Photoshop piracy.



11/30/2008 09:27:12 PM · #9
I mostly use my computer at work to edit my photos.

Have you tried looking into this? It's probably limited, but might be worth a shot.
11/30/2008 09:27:14 PM · #10
I'm downloading The Gimp now. I didn't realise it was available for Mac.
11/30/2008 09:30:08 PM · #11
Paint Shop Pro X2 is a pretty decent program. It does tons of stuff. It was really cheap too. I do have Photoshop CS from where I used to work. They upgraded us for home every time an update came out, but I don't work there any more so that's where I'm stuck.
11/30/2008 09:32:53 PM · #12
If you have anything to do with education or have kids in school who will use it at all, look into the Educational version. It's several hundred $ cheaper, if I remember correctly.
11/30/2008 09:33:29 PM · #13
How to justify Photoshop:

Well, it's hard for the average Joe who just wants to play with pictures for the fun of it.

However I justified it because it's the most powerful tool I have with which to earn money. Thats also how I justify every upgrade. I even have to upgrade my QuarkXpress (who charges much more for upgrades!) and all the system upgrades and camera upgrades, and all the other accounts such as Smugmug Pro for selling.

If you plan on trying to earn money with photos, Photoshop is a must. but, yes I feel your pain. The first time I bought any of the programs I use it was harder because it wasn't earning money yet. You gotta spend money to make money.


11/30/2008 09:38:30 PM · #14
Originally posted by smichener:

if you know a student in college you might see if they can purchase it as a "gift" for you. You might be able to get it for around $200US


I got my copy of CS3 this way, but also used it as a business purchase and could write off of my taxes as an expense. My friend is a photography/art student at at Junior College and got me a copy for $275. I paid with my business credit card and used the receipt as a tax write-off last year.
11/30/2008 09:39:25 PM · #15
Originally posted by Ristyz:


If you plan on trying to earn money with photos, Photoshop is a must. but, yes I feel your pain. The first time I bought any of the programs I use it was harder because it wasn't earning money yet. You gotta spend money to make money.


Good point. I am being a cheapskate. It's just frustrating to know that there is a good percentage of people ripping it off, and I have to fork out a painful amount of money for it :)
11/30/2008 09:40:47 PM · #16
I'm pretty sure the college/educational license says that you can't use it for commercial purposes. I'd be just as good ripping it off.
11/30/2008 09:44:22 PM · #17
You can get academic versions if you are a student, teacher, or even have a child in school. All you have to do is submit proof and you can get the discounted versions. I go through these people but I'm sure there are others. I believe you can get CS4 Extended for about $300.
11/30/2008 09:45:54 PM · #18
If people can justify spending thousands of dollars on lenses they use every day, then why is it difficult to justify spending a few hundred dollars on a piece of software they're going to spend hours sitting in front of and which is such a critical part of their workflow?

11/30/2008 09:46:39 PM · #19
Originally posted by Lonni:

I'm pretty sure the college/educational license says that you can't use it for commercial purposes. I'd be just as good ripping it off.


That's a good point; I guess this is the one time I'm happy that I don't use it for commercial purposes.
11/30/2008 09:47:03 PM · #20
Not to gloat,
but I'm pretty lucky cause my uncle works for Adobe and I think I got both lightroom and CS3 for under 200. I would highly recommend looking into student version. I have a few friends who have gotten photoshop this way. I hope you find a way, and please don't pirate it. I know it's expensive but it's also the same as someone stealing your photos... or at least that's the way I look at it.

Evan
11/30/2008 09:53:53 PM · #21
Look at it this way; Photoshop (or similar software) is an essential tool for the digital photographer. Even the world's best photographers use software to get the most from their images, and mediocre photographers would be lost without it. You wouldn't balk at paying $700 for a decent body or lens, would you?

11/30/2008 09:55:03 PM · #22
Originally posted by StOlafPhotographer:

Not to gloat,
but I'm pretty lucky cause my uncle works for Adobe and I think I got both lightroom and CS3 for under 200. I would highly recommend looking into student version. I have a few friends who have gotten photoshop this way. I hope you find a way, and please don't pirate it. I know it's expensive but it's also the same as someone stealing your photos... or at least that's the way I look at it.

Evan


I would never pirate it. That's the point of this discussion/ whinge :)
11/30/2008 09:58:07 PM · #23
Sorry, didn't mean to sound accusatory. It was meant more as an overall mantra for people to not steal, not you specifically!
Evan
11/30/2008 10:04:18 PM · #24
I got the adobe suite for $300 from my sister, who is in college.
11/30/2008 10:06:22 PM · #25
Originally posted by StOlafPhotographer:

Sorry, didn't mean to sound accusatory. It was meant more as an overall mantra for people to not steal, not you specifically!
Evan


No worries, I just wanted to be clear that I'm trying to do the right thing. I think that people here are right. I'm just going to have to start saving, unless I can learn to use The Gimp effectively.
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