Adobe Photoshop and CS

[DueyDooDah]

I have Elements 4.0 but have tried CS3 and am switching next payday. After using levels and since 4.0 does not work properly on Vista, I am hooked.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I use CS2. I think that a better question would be "what do you do in Photoshop that you can't do in Photoshop Elements." When I compared them several years ago, there weren't that many differences. They carefully picked the functionality to leave out of Elements so that a typical hobbyist wouldn't miss much, but a pro couldn't get by with only Elements. That lack of Actions (like macros) in Elements was the killer missing feature for me.

 

[AndrewWG]

I use CS2. I think that a better question would be "what do you do in Photoshop that you can't do in Photoshop Elements." When I compared them several years ago, there weren't that many differences. They carefully picked the functionality to leave out of Elements so that a typical hobbyist wouldn't miss much, but a pro couldn't get by with only Elements. That lack of Actions (like macros) in Elements was the killer missing feature for me.

Mark,

As I am a somewhat newbie to photoshop (I have elements 5), I have to ask. What are macros and what do they do for you? I can't exactly justify the cost of a full Photoshop program at this point, but I am considering it in the future.

 

[SharonLowe]

I've used PS for years and am now on CS3. Couldn't do without it and love the new features in CS3 and Bridge.

Actions - like little programs to do repetitive tasks for you. CS has some built in ones and you can create your own. I have a number of them that create various layers for portrait work (eg., whiten the eyes or teeth). REally speeds up the process.

Does a hobbyist need the full version rather than elements? Not likely.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I've got CS at home and at work I use CS2 and CS3 (depending on where I am working and what machine I am on.)

I have elements 4.0 but I am so use to full photoshops I cannot stand using elements.

I agree, My hubby and I are so spoiled by the full version. He was a graphic artist before we became business owners and I of course love photography and find it so valuable as a tool.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I use CS2. I think that a better question would be "what do you do in Photoshop that you can't do in Photoshop Elements." When I compared them several years ago, there weren't that many differences. They carefully picked the functionality to leave out of Elements so that a typical hobbyist wouldn't miss much, but a pro couldn't get by with only Elements. That lack of Actions (like macros) in Elements was the killer missing feature for me.

My husband worked as a graphic artist for many years untill we ventured into another business. He is still an artist that does work on the side for other companies and he has taught me so many things that Photoshop can do. I really have never used elements, but I would think that it was a watered down version of PS. The only reason I ask, is because I am now helping with our school yearbook in the photography portion and they have elements and I was wonedering If I was going to be limited.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Now just to throw something else in the pot, I also use Painter to get some results or effects that I cant in PS... btw I need to upgrade to CS. I may do that today. Does anyone else use Painter. I do understand about the cost of these programs. As for the average user spending 500.00 to 1000.00 is not an option for a program. But I am blessed in the fact that I have been able to get these programs.

 

[Nikel]

I use CS2, upgrading to CS3 next year, after Disney is out of the way.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I use CS3 and previously used Elements 4.0. I find that my workflow is so much quicker and easier in CS3 than in Elements. I, too, love making actions that speed up my workflow.

 

[lonegirl]

Hi. I am currently using the 30 day free trial of Photoshop CS3, and I took and enhanced (auto color, auto contrast, auto levels, then a shapen filter. I also patched some crow's feet and blemishes) some photos for my sister-in-law, saved the photoshop corrections and then posted them on Flickr for her. From there, she sent to Snapfish and is getting a message that they will all be blurry due to low resolution. Do photoshop CS3 enhanced pix not print well on Snapfish and other similar sites? Should I save to CD and have her take to a camera/photo store for better prints? Thanks!

 

[SharonLowe]

Hi. I am currently using the 30 day free trial of Photoshop CS3, and I took and enhanced (auto color, auto contrast, auto levels, then a shapen filter. I also patched some crow's feet and blemishes) some photos for my sister-in-law, saved the photoshop corrections and then posted them on Flickr for her. From there, she sent to Snapfish and is getting a message that they will all be blurry due to low resolution. Do photoshop CS3 enhanced pix not print well on Snapfish and other similar sites? Should I save to CD and have her take to a camera/photo store for better prints? Thanks!

What size were the files that you used? It has nothing to do with CS3; it has to do with the file size of the image you received and what file size you uploaded. I'm guessing you were working with 72 dpi images and a small pixel count. She won't have any better luck at the camera store either. Also, you want to make sure you are working on raw or tifs (or psds) rather than jpegs. If you only have jpegs, save them as tifs for working and then convert that finished tif back to a jpeg for Flickr.

 

[brack]

I use Photoshop CS2 on my business laptop. My DW's business laptop has Elements 5 installed. Our home computer has Elements 2 installed.

 

[boBQuincy]

Now just to throw something else in the pot, I also use Painter to get some results or effects that I cant in PS... btw I need to upgrade to CS. I may do that today. Does anyone else use Painter. I do understand about the cost of these programs. As for the average user spending 500.00 to 1000.00 is not an option for a program. But I am blessed in the fact that I have been able to get these programs.

I use CS3, with a lot of use of layers and masks. I really like how Adobe Camera Raw has been enhanced for CS3!

I don't use Painter but I do use Illustrator, as you mentioned, to get effects that can't be done in PS. After looking at some of Bert Monroy's work I figured that was all I needed.
That, and a lot more talent!

 

[WillCAD]

I use both; I have CS2 at home and Elements 5 at work.

 

[cryssi]

CS2...can't wait for CS3!

 

[jann1033]

i use pse5 and i guess ignorance is bliss cause right now it is fine for me...except the stinky batch processing( which if any other pse5 user wants to look at my new ? i would be very appreciative,( excuse shameless plug for my ?? ))

i don't really understand what actions are either really I guess but i've got my hands full without fooling with them right now i read you can get some of them at www.panosfx.com that work with elements so if anyone gets them show me how they work please. truthfully i don't do a ton of pp anyway, probably i should do lots more.

and since the topic is photoshop,,,if anyone doesn't know, you can get a free sub. to aftercapture that is a great mag imo that gives lots of info for pp.

 

[jenbeat1]

I'm looking to buy a book on Adobe Photoshop CS3. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Master Mason]

Scott Kelby's book.

 

[Gdad]

Scott Kelby's book.

Yep

 

[tchrrx]

DH & I have been discussing purchasing PhotoShop. What are the main differences between the $90 Adobe PhotoShop Elements and the $650 Adobe PhotoShop CS3?

Obviously, I want to purchase the cheaper one, just b/c it's cheaper . DH wants a good one though. What do you think?