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02/01/2006 02:38:26 PM · #1
I have been reading so much on the post processing. I had intended to ask if I should upgrade my Photo Elements (using v2.0) or get photoshop.

Nevermind, I just looked at the price for Adobe Photoshop CS2... There will NEVER be that software on my pc.... :-(

Guess it is Elements 4.0 for me!
02/01/2006 03:01:00 PM · #2
If you are using Windows, the GIMP is free, and reportedly has most of the functionality of Photoshop.
02/01/2006 03:02:54 PM · #3
never heard of the GIMP...I'll have to check that out....is it better than my Photo Elements??
02/01/2006 03:06:30 PM · #4
Originally posted by dassilem:

never heard of the GIMP...I'll have to check that out....is it better than my Photo Elements??

If it has Curves (like Levels, but way better), then it is. I don't know myself -- I use an eight year-old version of Photoshop myself -- and have not played around with GIMP.
02/01/2006 03:07:58 PM · #5
You will find that PE4 is a very stripped down version of CS2. There are features of CS2 that I'd love to have, but can't see shelling out $700 (or whatever...) for them. I'll save that money for lenses.
02/01/2006 03:15:34 PM · #6
Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you are using Windows, the GIMP is free, and reportedly has most of the functionality of Photoshop.


The functionality probably is there, but GIMP has some quirks that make it frustrating to learn. One has to be fairly well committed to the "free software" idea. Personally, I get a lot more accomplished just using Elements, especially when compared to GIMP. GIMP frustrates me because it's so close to being good but not quite.
02/01/2006 03:31:34 PM · #7
Originally posted by _eug:

You will find that PE4 is a very stripped down version of CS2. There are features of CS2 that I'd love to have, but can't see shelling out $700 (or whatever...) for them. I'll save that money for lenses.


B&H Photo sells it for about $100 less then you can purchase it at other retail outlets, like CompUSA.
02/01/2006 03:32:50 PM · #8
Originally posted by nards656:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you are using Windows, the GIMP is free, and reportedly has most of the functionality of Photoshop.


The functionality probably is there, but GIMP has some quirks that make it frustrating to learn. One has to be fairly well committed to the "free software" idea. Personally, I get a lot more accomplished just using Elements, especially when compared to GIMP. GIMP frustrates me because it's so close to being good but not quite.


I have the GIMP on my PC, but find myself using Elements 2.0 far more. The GIMP is a great asset, but it's learning curve is steep, probably much like CS2 is. I need to force myself into using The GIMP more and figure out curves and all that.
02/01/2006 03:37:56 PM · #9
Originally posted by Nelzie:

Originally posted by nards656:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you are using Windows, the GIMP is free, and reportedly has most of the functionality of Photoshop.


The functionality probably is there, but GIMP has some quirks that make it frustrating to learn. One has to be fairly well committed to the "free software" idea. Personally, I get a lot more accomplished just using Elements, especially when compared to GIMP. GIMP frustrates me because it's so close to being good but not quite.


I have the GIMP on my PC, but find myself using Elements 2.0 far more. The GIMP is a great asset, but it's learning curve is steep, probably much like CS2 is. I need to force myself into using The GIMP more and figure out curves and all that.

I think someone's previously posted links to some 3rd-party interfaces which make the GIMP look and work more like Photoshop -- probably some links at the GIMP site.

As noted, I use old software myself. Another option would be to find the 3rd-party book/CD for Elements 2 which added Curves funtionality to PSE 2 (and there's a version for 3).

02/01/2006 04:23:20 PM · #10
Just got a newsletter from cNet.com noting that the GIMP is also available for Mac OS X.
02/01/2006 04:35:11 PM · #11
I use PSE3 as well as MS Digital Image Pro 10 and between them I can do quite a bit. DIP has levels and curves and also uses some of the plug-ins from PS. PSE3 does a better job of resizing and saving for web, much cleaner.

What I'm really waiting for is the next generation of imaging software that is coming from Adobe, Microsoft and Apple. They are all in BETA now and from what I have read they will be much more user friendly and as powerful as Photoshop.
02/01/2006 05:49:33 PM · #12
I was having this very same delima yesterday...whether to go from:

elements 2.0 -> 4.0 (~$80 @adobe)

or

elements 2.0 -> cs2 (~$499 @adobe)

...but my main question was does elements 4.0 have curves and layer mask functionality? I could not find this out on the web site without jumping through a dozen hoops. Anyone out there know the answer?
02/01/2006 06:08:39 PM · #13
Originally posted by MayaMoody:

I was having this very same delima yesterday...whether to go from:

elements 2.0 -> 4.0 (~$80 @adobe)

or

elements 2.0 -> cs2 (~$499 @adobe)

...but my main question was does elements 4.0 have curves and layer mask functionality? I could not find this out on the web site without jumping through a dozen hoops. Anyone out there know the answer?


Curves, no. Layer Masks, Yes.
02/01/2006 06:23:09 PM · #14
Originally posted by MayaMoody:

I was having this very same delima yesterday...whether to go from:

elements 2.0 -> 4.0 (~$80 @adobe)

or

elements 2.0 -> cs2 (~$499 @adobe)

...but my main question was does elements 4.0 have curves and layer mask functionality? I could not find this out on the web site without jumping through a dozen hoops. Anyone out there know the answer?

The cost of upgrade to Elements 4 is $80 and difference between Elements 4.0 and CS2 is an additional $419. Ask yourself some questions:

Am I using elements 2.0 to its full potential?

Do I believe that my editing software is inhibiting my creativity and do I encounter it regularly with mot every image I process?

If the answer to both questions is "yes" then you are ready for an upgrade. The question is what to upgrade to. Now get on the web and read everything you can find on the feature set of Elements 4 vs. CS2. That is much easier said then done since there have been so many intervening upgrades since Elements 2 to each product that each have their own unique new functionality.

You might try reading anything you can find about the Elements 2.0 to 3.0 upgrade and anything you can find about the Elements 3.0 to 4.0 upgrade. That will give you a good idea what Elements 4.0 can do.

The tough part is finding out what CS2 can do that Elements 4 can't THAT YOU NEED. What is most important about that is that it must justify a $419 price difference. Research, research research to find out.

It gets even worse... dang...

CS2 is no lightweight program either. If you have an older model computer with a slow chip and a small amount of RAM then you have to figure equipment upgrade into the cost of CS2 as well.

I have CS2 on a current Windows XP machine with only 512 meg of RAM and a 1.39 GHz Intel processor and 5 Gigs of free hard disk system work space.

Mine runs but I have to tell you that is the absolute minimum configuration you should try. I have to jump through hoops for some activities.

Consider all those things and that should help you to decide what you should do.
02/06/2006 03:07:58 PM · #15
Originally posted by dassilem:

I have been reading so much on the post processing. I had intended to ask if I should upgrade my Photo Elements (using v2.0) or get photoshop.

Nevermind, I just looked at the price for Adobe Photoshop CS2... There will NEVER be that software on my pc.... :-(

Guess it is Elements 4.0 for me!


I bought Elements 4.0 this weekend...havent loaded it yet. Probably will wait until I am done with my pictures for the Photo Restore Volunteer program.
02/06/2006 03:27:48 PM · #16
Elements does not have:

VECTOR masking

no pen tool(I think),

you cannot fade an effect like you can in CS2.

No channel mixer for making duo/tri/quadtones legally in basic.

No High Dynamic Range feature.

Less powerful stitching program for panorama's.

RAW functionality is very limited to non-existent.

there's others. I forget.

edit - no curves.

Message edited by author 2006-02-06 15:29:27.
02/06/2006 03:48:36 PM · #17
Originally posted by dassilem:

I have been reading so much on the post processing. I had intended to ask if I should upgrade my Photo Elements (using v2.0) or get photoshop.

Nevermind, I just looked at the price for Adobe Photoshop CS2... There will NEVER be that software on my pc.... :-(

Guess it is Elements 4.0 for me!


don't get photoshop elements, got with CS2. if you know a college student, or have a friend or family member who is a techer, you can get Photoshop CS2 at www.academicsuperstore.com for about $300

just have your friend/family memeber buy it and get the student/teacher discount, and then you can pay them back

and with regards to other software, not just photoshop, academicsuperstore.com is a great place to buy. they sell everything significantly cheaper

charles
02/06/2006 04:17:51 PM · #18
You might also try EBay. Just be sure to investigate the seller.
I purchased CS2 for $369
02/06/2006 04:37:06 PM · #19
I just picked up a Photoshop 6 off ebay for $112 and it was legitimate! Also...if you by any chance bought a wacom intuos3 or higher tablet you can pick up the photoshop CS2 for $299.

BTW....Photoshop Elements 3 comes with the tablet.

Colette

Edit to Add: Here the site: CS2 for $299 with SN


Message edited by author 2006-02-06 16:52:33.
02/06/2006 04:59:55 PM · #20
Perhaps it's not the best solution, but I use Paint Shop Pro for some of the things Elements can't do - channel mixer, curves, (yet to try) pen tool etc. I've got the gimp on my computer, but have found it difficult to work with.
02/06/2006 05:06:35 PM · #21
Don't forget that PhotoShop CS2 you can get it through most on-line sellers at education discount approved by Adobe. There are several sites that at strickly for educators. If you fax themn proof of student it will save hundreds. If you have a kids a in any grade level or you are a student or teacher that will work. The entire Adobe Crative Suite is less than $400 that way.
02/06/2006 05:06:59 PM · #22
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

... curves, (yet to try) ...

Please do ASAP -- they are one of your most powerful and flexible tools to control tone, contrast, and colors. It's like using levels, but better : )
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