Discussion
Hi all,
I don't usually stray far from the Pie + Piston or General Gassing, but maybe posting here is the right place for this question.
After a few years of digital cameras (currently a Nikon D70) I would now like to "improve" my photos a little using a package such as photoshop. This would be just for my own pleasure, no commercial aspect - so I was shocked by how much it costs! I was ready to pay around £150, but Photoshop CS2 seems to be more like £450...
So, am I looking at the right thing? Is Photoshop "Elements" worth considering? Is CS2 the latest, or likely to be replaced soon? And is there any other software around that I should look at?
Cheers
I don't usually stray far from the Pie + Piston or General Gassing, but maybe posting here is the right place for this question.
After a few years of digital cameras (currently a Nikon D70) I would now like to "improve" my photos a little using a package such as photoshop. This would be just for my own pleasure, no commercial aspect - so I was shocked by how much it costs! I was ready to pay around £150, but Photoshop CS2 seems to be more like £450...
So, am I looking at the right thing? Is Photoshop "Elements" worth considering? Is CS2 the latest, or likely to be replaced soon? And is there any other software around that I should look at?
Cheers
PS is the industry standard that most advice and tutorials are based on. However, from what I've heard, PS Elements is fine for most if not all of your needs.
I was looking at my latest collection today and there are only two 'straight' photos in it!
www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/gallery.htm
I was looking at my latest collection today and there are only two 'straight' photos in it!
www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/gallery.htm
Paint Shop Pro X offers most of the functionality you'll need and has a downloadable demo. (about 70 quid)
Microsoft Digital Image suite is also good if you're not looking for the full creative thing and a just a simpler tweaking tool (and most photoshop plugins work as well). (about 50 quid)
But everyone else will offer other opinions as well...
Microsoft Digital Image suite is also good if you're not looking for the full creative thing and a just a simpler tweaking tool (and most photoshop plugins work as well). (about 50 quid)
But everyone else will offer other opinions as well...
I suspect Elements is a good, no GREAT, starting point. I'm still on PS 6 (which still does more than my talents can stretch too! 
), haven't updated yet because - partly of the cost, and unless you really need to do more than manipuating photos, I suspect three quarters of your money buys some bl00dy clever stuff that you might never use!!!!
Spend the difference on some more RAM for your PC!
), haven't updated yet because - partly of the cost, and unless you really need to do more than manipuating photos, I suspect three quarters of your money buys some bl00dy clever stuff that you might never use!!!! Spend the difference on some more RAM for your PC!
simpo two said:
PS is the industry standard that most advice and tutorials are based on. However, from what I've heard, PS Elements is fine for most if not all of your needs.
I was looking at my latest collection today and there are only two 'straight' photos in it!
www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/gallery.htm
Love the site John, some amazing work there!
Do PH's get any discounts?
Greg
simpo two said:
PS is the industry standard that most advice and tutorials are based on. However, from what I've heard, PS Elements is fine for most if not all of your needs.
I was looking at my latest collection today and there are only two 'straight' photos in it!
www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/gallery.htm
Nice pics, exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to achieve!
So you are using the full PS software to achieve those effects? I particularly like "old boat" - can things like this be done with Elements? These are the kind of things I want to do. The other Elements features like redeye reduction and file management aren't really important, and the Elements demo on their website focuses on these rather than what effects etc it has.
v-spec said:
So you are using the full PS software to achieve those effects? I particularly like "old boat" - can things like this be done with Elements? These are the kind of things I want to do. The other Elements features like redeye reduction and file management aren't really important, and the Elements demo on their website focuses on these rather than what effects etc it has.
I use CS 99% of the time, but probably only know 2% of it... 'Old Boat' is basically just spot colour, so if Elements can do b/w and has a history brush, you're away.
I hate demos and tutorials; I would rather just poke things about, see what happens and try to remember the ones I like
NB It's the starting point that's most important; PS is just the final step which stops them being 'just another photo'.
>> Edited by simpo two on Monday 21st November 09:15
I have been keeping an eye on this thread as I need to venture into Photoshop and I must admit I don’t know where to start! I only embraced digital technology about 6 months or so ago and I have made the step up to Rawshooter Premium. I have Photoshop 7 but I really need to sit down and play with it. Is there an idiots guide to these things to get started?
HankScorpio said:
Paint Shop Pro X offers most of the functionality you'll need and has a downloadable demo. (about 70 quid)
I use PSP X, great program.
The cheapest way to buy it is the way "a friend" did - download the trial version, register the trial with them (it was PSP 9 at the time) - they were then emailed by Corel that "the friend" could upgrade to PSP X for about £30, so "the friend" paid, expecting to get rumbled at any time that "the friend" was paying the upgrade price without buying a version first, but downloaded the full version aand all activation codes - works perfectly.
Great value for an excellent program.
Chris
threeracers said:A usual recommedantion whenever this gets asked is The Photoshop Book for Digial Photographers, Scott Kelby, pub. New Riders - available from Amazon. I've used Photoshop since version 1 and learned stuff reading it.
I have Photoshop 7 but I really need to sit down and play with it. Is there an idiots guide to these things to get started?
threeracers said:
I have been keeping an eye on this thread as I need to venture into Photoshop and I must admit I don’t know where to start! I only embraced digital technology about 6 months or so ago and I have made the step up to Rawshooter Premium. I have Photoshop 7 but I really need to sit down and play with it. Is there an idiots guide to these things to get started?
You might find the following site useful:
http://luminous-landscape.com/
It has several tutorials and articles on photoshop and other aspects of digital photography.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff