Dumbest Photog Question...Ever!

[trtlrock]

Ok...so I want to get Photoshop so I can save to tiff properly, crop properly, play with channels, cloning, fix exposure problems, etc.

Do I need the Photoshop Elements 5.0 bundle for about $100...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HLT4TU/ref=wl_it_dp/002-1418132-0790429?ie=UTF8&coliid=I6VJY1CPRKC50&colid=GXJFS3NZKJF2

[woop-woop-woop supermegalong url link alert!!]

Or do I need the CS3 package for about $650 <gulp>.  BTW this would cost more than the 2 cameras we currently own combined.

Told ya...

dumbest

question

ever.

[Al]

Unfortunately the full version of Photoshop is the $650 version.  Elements is the light version.  You might want to compare Elements to ACDSee and some of the other products out there.  I have an old version of Photoshop which will do virtually anything you need to do.  I use ACDSee because it does most everything I need and is MUCH easier to use.

Al

[BigBendHiker]

There are no dumb questions on this board.  The only dumb question is the one that is not asked...

There are several on this board who are power users when it comes to photo editing software.  They will know about this one....



BBH

[Casa Grande]

Ok...so I want to get Photoshop so I can save to tiff properly, crop properly, play with channels, cloning, fix exposure problems, etc.

Do I need the Photoshop Elements 5.0 bundle for about $100...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HLT4TU/ref=wl_it_dp/002-1418132-0790429?ie=UTF8&coliid=I6VJY1CPRKC50&colid=GXJFS3NZKJF2

[woop-woop-woop supermegalong url link alert!!]

Or do I need the CS3 package for about $650 <gulp>.  BTW this would cost more than the 2 cameras we currently own combined.

Told ya...

dumbest

question

ever.

I don't remember as it has been a really long time since I've used Elements, but I think Elements does not support TIFF.  You might want to go to Adobe's website they'll probably have a side by side comparison.

Obviously, the full version will give you everything you want and more of what you'll probably never even knew you needed....LOL

[trtlrock]

Hi Al.  Thanks for the advice...but for inscrutable stubborn unknown reasons I want to invest in some form of Photoshop  

Will the Photoshop-Lite for about $100 do the basic things I listed?

[trtlrock]

Thanks David...I'll see if it does tiffs; if not maybe that's just the rationalization I need to get a better camera, thereby creating a justifyable ratio of camera price to editing software price  ](*,)

In all seriousness, it seems like everyone has Photoshop.  Is it really that omnipresent?  What percentage of DSLR-users on BBC probably use it?  Just curious...

[badknees]

If you can pick up an older version of Photoshop, either 5 or 6, you can buy a CS2 Upgrade for about $159 or maybe even cheaper.

http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=cnet&sku=ADPSCS2

[Casa Grande]

In all seriousness, it seems like everyone has Photoshop.  Is it really that omnipresent?  What percentage of DSLR-users on BBC probably use it?  Just curious...

I have no idea how many people acutally use the real photoshop on the board.  I use it, but not the current version. I'm about 2 versions behind.

You might also consider some pretty hefty alternatives.  One program I used to use several years ago was "Paint Shop Pro."  I haven't used it since version 6 but it was quite a good program alternative to Photoshop for a fraction of the cost, about a $100.  I think the version is up to 11 or so now, plus it has been sold from Jasc software to Corel software so I'm not sure what it's like anymore. Definately worth investigating.  Much easier to use than Photoshop.  PS has a very large learning curve. There is also another nice program I've used in the past that is relatively inexpensive called PhotoImpact by Ulead.

Here are the links.....

Paint Shop Pro: (my personal favorite alternative)
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1155872554948?trkid=psppxi

Photoimpact:
http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm

They both have free trials.

[Al]

Paint Shop Pro is a very cool program and will do more than ACDSee including inserting text on a picture, if my memory serves me.  I did check and ACDSee supports more file types than I have fingers and toes including *.tiff files.  It's about $80.

Al

[Sotol Vista]

you really dont need photoshop. Photoshop is the premiere image editing software, but there are programs out there for WAY less money thei will do the same thing.

there are even free programs available (GIMP is free)
gimp for windows can be found here
http://www.gimp.org/windows/

I have been using Ulead Photoimpact since version 4 and it has served my photo needs very well. and its under $100 it does about 98% of what photoshop does, but at a fraction of the price.

as others have mentioned if you want photoshop you can find version 5 or 6 on ebay or somewhere, just make sure you can REGISTER the product. I had version 6 from a friend (legit version) and upgraded to CS2.

then you can properly use the upgrade of CS2 or CS3

I got version 6 from a friend (legit version) and upgraded to CS2.

James

[trtlrock]

ok - I may be stubborn, but I'm not obstinate.  

I'll pass on PS & get one of these other suggested programs instead...

Seems like a good way to save money -- which I can then invest in a better camera!  Woo-hoo!

[badknees]

Another option to look at might be the new Adobe Lightroom V 1.0


http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom

The program will do exposure, and WB corrections on RAW files and utilizes the same process to a lesser degree to apply to JPEGs. TIFFs are supported, however your best bet is to shoot in RAW .Cropping, highlight recovery, red eye reduction, sharpening, curve tone conrol and other tools are available. Layers are not available, but the program integrates a robust DAM (Digital Asset Management) system that provides for well organized archiving of images and allows them to be saved in the Adobe DNG (digital negative) standard.

I believe Adobe offers a free 30 day trial. They just had it on special for $199, but have since jacked it back up to full retail at $299

I actually use Lightroom as an addition to Photoshop CS2 and there isn't a whole lot I can't do with that combo.

[Al]

I wouldn't feel bad about saving the money.  I just walked through some info on PaintShop Pro and the Ulead product.  Both are VERY powerful and will do amazing things.  Forget ACDSee.  I am going to buy one of these programs.  Ulead not only supports *.tiff files but RAW, too.  I haven't been able to find the info on the PSP website.  It's not as intuitive, at least to an Aggie.  Let us know what you decide.

Al

[badknees]

Below are 2 photos of Ernst Tinaja from the same RAW capture


The 1st &nbsp;one was sucked into Photoshop,cropped, and edited to bring up some shadow recovery using layers , masks and various other techniques. Selective Unsharp mask was applied in Photoshop and the file was exported as was the 2nd photo. Amazing what a few tools will do.

The 2nd one is saved from RAW straight from the camera, No WB or tone corrections, no sharpening and exported to sRGB from PhotoPro RGB in JPEG


Ensure that whatever you do end up buying has the ability to work with layers and layer masks if you ever want to effectively salvage any pictures that look like this.

I'm comfortable with Photoshop, but there are lots of options out there as listed by a bunch of knowledgeable people on the forum.

You can probably pick up a lot more user opinions in the "Retouching" forum on the DPReview site

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/

Best of luck

[Al]

dpreview is on my short list of sites I use when deciding on photo-related stuff.  Another good site is:

http://www.dcresource.com/

Al