gmbrandon Loc: Tennessee

I am new to digital processing and I am running trial versions of Elements 15 and Photoshop CC. One of my interests is Sky/Star field photography and I know I will need to stack multiple images in order to bring out more detail and filter out noise. Can this be done in both Element and Photoshop? Also, I am interested in Macro photography and have seen articles about stacking several photos each with a different focus point in order to result in a final photo with a larger in focus area. Again, can this be done in either software package? I am leaning toward Elements 15 as a starting point with thoughts to graduate to full Photoshop CC with Lightroom sometime in the future as my capabilities increase. I would like to hear your opinions and recomendations. My equipment is a Nikon D5500 with an 18-55 and a 70-300 lens.
Thanks
The new guy.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

I know Photoshop can do stacking for both Macro and Sky photography, I have Elements 12 and I'm not aware that it can do stacking, but there are software options that can. My suggestion is to look carefully at the 8 bit in Elements vs. 16 bit in Photoshop.

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

Not sure why you would want to learn two software packages. Your goals are very specific, at least at this point. Focus Stacking and using different stackmodes in layers that have been converted to smart objects. Since PSE does not have a full implementation (at least not the last time I looked at it), I suggest you just start with those two goals and read up on how to do it.

BTW, this is the secret to learning Photoshop. You don't have to know 100% of all of the commands to start using it productively. Learn what you need to learn, and as you do that you will begin to uncover other neat things about it.

Lightroom is extremely easy, with the biggest stumbling block is understanding the difference between a file browser (Adobe Bridge and most other programs), and a catalog-based filing system. When you unlock that key, and learn where things end up by default when you import them, as opposed to telling LR specifically where you want things to go, the rest is easy. But it does not have the editing focus that Photoshop does.

I also suggest you join a local photo club. There is usually a wealth of information among the membership, and people are usually happy to share what they know.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

With socks one size fits all. Overhaul your car with a Swiss Army Knife. Take differential equations to learn how to add simple numbers. Do any thing photographic with Adobe.... NO!

To remove noise, use a plugin or standalone specializing in noise removal such as Topaz deNoise. For stacking use a stacking specialized program such as Zerene and for editing check out Affinity.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Elements is a good editing software
But
To realize all of your raw power go to Photoshop

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Might be worth asking the question on the Astronomical forum.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some articles -

https://photographylife.com/photoshop-vs-photoshop-elements
https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/tech-tips/which-do-you-need--photoshop-elements-vs--photoshop-cc
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/f/elementscompare.htm

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

I have used PhotoShop for many years. I started with a DOS program. I have used Elements for the last few years and it does everything I need. Use it and see if there is something missing. I don't think so. The commands are the same and I often use the old commands to save time. CTL-A is all, CTL-C is copy ect. David

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I use Elements 14 and have not even begun to use it as fully as I could. When I merge star trails in Elements I go into the "Guided" mode; photo merge; then photomerge exposure. The drawback is that you can only merge up to 10 photos and there is a gap in the star trails.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I teach advanced Photoshop and don't know what you mean by "stacking".

don26812 Loc: South Bay of Los Angeles, CA

Starting with Photoshop Elements and then at some point moving up to Photoshop/Lightroom has been a path that many have successfully followed. Additionally, others have ultimately found that staying with Elements continues to serve their needs, even as their expertise grows. From teaching all three programs, I have observed that students become productive much quicker using Elements than using Photoshop and Lightroom if they are brand new to digital processing.

Regarding your more advanced needs and interests in focus stacking etc, it appears to me that Elements might very well serve your needs from the get-go, since it supports layers/masks. I have never done focus stacking, but I did a quick search on YouTube and found several relevant videos listed using Elements. Searching on Google would probably produce many more tutorials. Try this with your trial of Elements.

Finally, photoman022 (I think) indicated that he was able to do stacking with reasonable success using a couple of Guided Edits - simple steps that lead you by the hand that generally can be greatly improved using the Export mode of the program.

FWIW.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Focus stacking, HDR (stacking exposures for high dynamic range) and Stacking in Bridge (panoramas, etc.). All different operations.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

If you are serious about focus stacking, I would recommend you forget about Photoshop and get either Zerene or Helicon Focus. They will work much better and much faster than Photoshop.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I would go immediately to Photoshop/Lightroom CC if that is a plan for the future. I have used Elements, but only because it was for a course I taught, I have been using Photoshop since CS3 and was at CS6 when Potoshop CC became available. I like the integration of Lightroom and Photoshop using CC

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Helicon Focus works better at focus stacking than Photoshop, but that's because it is a one-trick pony at it. I've found that if you give enough raw shots for Photoshop to process, more intermediate focus points than you think you should need, Photomerge in Photoshop does it well too.