bbqsfarm Loc: Oregon

Ok I have been struggling with an old version of photoshop. Not getting anywhere. I did google but it is such an old version (5 premier and elements) I can not find much. So I am looking for something that is easy to use that I can remove unwanted items from the picture and blur backgrounds that is easy to understand.

If some one can point me in a direction.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There are quite a few previous topics of "Lightroom vs Elements," if you're interested in reading.

I have Photoshop Elements 12 and really like it. I find it fairly easy to use, especially for the basics. There's also a dummies book if needed :)

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

Look at Lightroom; it's easier and more intuitive and user-friendly than Photoshop or Elements.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

LR5 is my weapon of choice.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Look at Paint Shop pro its cheaper than Adobe and easy to use and will do all you will ever require of a post processing program. You will be up and running with it in a few weeks.
Loads will shout Lightroom at you. If you wish to have a nice catalog of your photos and give them all dandy little flags and key words that part is great. The part of Lightroom devoted to photo editing is absolutely useless.
Its a very much cut down version of Photoshop and I liken editing using it to like taking a dump wearing an overcoat.
I use Photoshop and always have but if was starting out again would go for Paint Shop Pro

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I have Paintshop pro X7 and love it, have you ever tried ACDsee pro?

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Personally I am a Photoshop user and very comfortable with it after years of using it. However I would look further than Adobe if I was stating out on the editing road today. There are some excellent products out there with the power of Photoshop without the ridiculous price tag.
I have never used ACDsee but heard good things about it.

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

99%+ of my portfolio since mid-2010 has been post-processed only in Lightroom - please look at some of my images and tell me "LR is useless for photo editing".

I daresay the useless part in any equation between you and Lightroom isn't Lightroom.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

ya not sure I would classify Lightroom 5 as useless, more people use LR than any other photo editing software. I looked at your photo's, very nicely done and especially like the capture of American kestral Heron's Head Park with his mouth wide open :)

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

oops sorry wrong section lol

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

The bit of your portfolio I looked at is very pleasant indeed. Do I think they would be improved with some of the features that are available in Photoshop as compared to LR then the answer is probably yes.
LR has no layers facility so layer masks blending modes use of color channels is not available. Maybe Im dumb but beyond minor enhancements I do not see how you progress without layers. I also post work here and maybe its because I heavily process that I find LR of no value at all.
f your happy with it and satisfied with with your work I would and could not fault you personally. I still however maintain the software you choose to use limits what you could achieve. Like I said taking a dump whilst wearing a coat.

What is of interest as student of all humanity is why you took my opinion of a commercially available product as a sleight on your work?
As far as Im aware we are strangers and your work is new to me. Could it be that you are aware the tools in the LR editing suite will only get you to 90% of where you could be? What makes an individual, who should be answering this post with a view to helping the OP, throw his toys out of the pram and infer another member forms the useless part of an equation? Is useless a referral to me or my numerous posts I ask myself before scratching my nuts in a bored fashion!

I believe the catalog part of LR is very good indeed but really do not need tags flags or pretty stars to file away what I keep. As a database for a pro it must be invaluable but not convinced the weekend shooter needs it. I have had every version of LR since it came out and have 5.7 installed on my PC. I keep trying it but within minutes of opening an image hit the brick wall which its not equipped to climb.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Lightroom is great software - but it doesn't do what the OP has asked for. Removing things, blurring, etc is best done in a pixel level editor, not a parametric one.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Change "cheaper" to "gives more bang for the buck"... and I will agree 110%. With the saved money buy Topaz deNoise, Detail, Clarity and you can work magic in a moment while the Adobe people are slaves... :thumbup:

LukesBeach Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

I use PS Elements and Premiere 12 and love how easy they are. As a matter of fact, I have an opened, sealed pack of disks that came bundled with a recent camera purchase, should you want to save a lot of money.

LukesBeach Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

"UNOPENED" (typo)