Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Good Morning Hogs, A Shout Out To All Our Vets!
Does anyone have advice or suggestions on "editing software" relating to PS Elements?
I have 10 installed and haven't used it much for lack of understanding how to use it very well. Adobe is offering an upgrade to 18 for $69. bucks ending tomorrow.
I really would like to use it if it's better than "Windows Photo Gallery", what I have been using, but now not responding well at all.
I did a search on the site but didn't find a topic on this, however I'm sure there was one somewhere, sometime.
I appreciate anyone's experience with, or about the Elements 18.
Thanks Folks.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

I have stopped using Adobe PS LR and PSE 15 just because I'd sooner be spending my time not in front of a computer for long stretches of time. You sound like many who have found PSE a bit much to get a handle on. My solution besides getting to be a slightly better photographer or so says a few who have viewed my results, is to get Luminar by MacPhun.
They have a sale on now. Perhaps try this. Free trial of course.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

All photo editing software can be complex. The key to all of them is how you learn to use them. Random stabs at it always lead to painful failure. If you buy the upgrade, commit to a learning plan.

Everyone learns differently. Photoshop Elements was all but useless to me until I took a well organized course at Linda.com that cost me $25.

FWIW, the PSE upgrade does not upgrade an earlier version. It installs and runs separately from the earlier version. You can keep both or delete the old one when you want. The new one does not delete the old one for you.

The weeks around Black Friday will usually have offers for Photoshop Elements at around $45 from places like Costco, B&H and Amazon.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Don't buy more software, certainly not more PSE. It doesn't get easier to use until you learn how to use it. There are tons of free training available in the form of videos on utube.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

It seems to me that PSE acquires, slowly and over time, "features" that first appeared earlier in "big" Photoshop. But extra features that you don't use don't improve your images or your workflow, so unless and until you've run out of capability in PSE10, or think you really want to use a feature that it doesn't have but newer software does, it's probably not worth spending the money on the upgrade. And in any event, as others have suggested, wait until it's on sale at a big box place - no reason to pay Adobe retail at this particular point in time.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"it's probably not worth spending the money on the upgrade"

If one wants to shoot RAW and has a newer camera, it might be worth spending the money just to get access to ACR.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

See what 18 offers over 10. I understand later versions offer Focus stacking so if you're into a bit of macro this could be good for you. A while back there was a splurge of images with partial frames giving a semi 3D view showing the main point of interest emerging from the frame. Nice (but the trend seems to be dying off now) and easily accomplished in later versions.

As said previously the key to this learning. I have a form of dyslexia which makes most things digital hard for me to learn - I want (need) a blackboard and chalk approach (with a teacher who will hammer it into me) and that's rare these days. Just last night I found an online resource that I found easier to use than many. I needed to create a watermark in Elements 10 and what might be a 10 minute tutorial for many turned into a 40 minute session for me - but I was able to get through it.

So what I'm saying is measure up what 18 can do that 10 can't - and then decide if you want those features. Whatever you do, particularly if you find learning hard, take a look at the link. I'm not saying it's the best - just that me and my dyslexia managed to complete a task using it. And that's not often accomplished.

http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/

mikedent Loc: Florida

Would Elements 18 be comparable to Lightroom 6 for editing files, esp. RAW ones, or does it have many more features closer to Photoshop that would take up space and increase the time needed to see the results of the changes? LR seems to be an apparent gold standard for what it does. If we don't plan to eliminate distracting footprints or swap heads of subjects, would LR be easier to learn? Standalone LR6 program discs are available on ebay for $99 and up. PSE will probably go on sale soon about $45. What would be factors to help in a decision?

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thanks Guys, I appreciate your advice. As mentioned, I need to learn what I need, and if the upgrade is worth it. I need to learn the basics of the program first!! Thanks Again...

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Contrary to many of the 'con' comments against PS Elements, I have enjoyed 'growing up' with Elements since 'forever'. You can use it as basically as you wish, and when you're ready, you can grow into it and all its' wonderful capabilities. There is so much help on line too, when you need it. My personal 'go to' is:http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/ which is run by Rick Peterson, who also periodically offers various videos. He is ever so patient and willing to help - beginners all the way to pro's. I use PS Elements 15 but am looking forward to obtaining 18 soon.
P.S. I moved from the full-blown Photoshop years ago and so far, have found nothing major (for my needs), that I can't do in Elements.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Just a suggestion - maybe you have not done it? Open PSE 10, click on Help, then "Video Tutorials" or "Getting Started", or other topics. Lots of ideas in Help to become more familiar with PSE 10. Elements is much more comprehensive for editing photos than Photo Gallery. You must learn how to use it. Be patient - it takes time.
Mark

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

Elements 2018 should be a pretty good improvement over the older version 10 that you said you have. I have Elements 15 myself and it is very good. I would suggest in addition to the Elements upgrade, that you consider getting "Elements +" too. It adds in only costs $12 and adds in access to a number of features from Photoshop that are not available in Elements.

Sorry, I forgot the link to "Elements+" if you are interested in looking at it too. http://elementsplus.net

Bill_de Loc: US

If you are going to be serious about learning it, and it is one of the easiest to learn, than buy it. If you are going to come back in a year and ask if you should upgrade again because you can't figure out what you have, then don't bother.

If you start with the basics, step by step, you will soon see enough improvements in your photos to keep you wanting more. Good Luck!

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via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Isn't this sort of like saying "If I get a newer camera, I'll take better photos," even though "I have never used the old camera"???? Perhaps Elements is not the software package for you. There are so many other good software packages these days and they are all worth trying out. MacPhun/Skylum seems to be gaining ground as an easy to use software package; I don't know if the main software, Luminar, is available for PC yet (they started out as Mac only). Check their website and see what they currently offer. The answer to your question could also depend upon what your software needs are...do you want a software program that not only provides editing capabilities (like Photoshop or Elements) but also provides asset management capabilities (like Lightroom and Luminar in 2018)? Ask yourself some basic questions about these things. Also, how much are you willing to pay? I don't know the free programs but many other people have cited them multiple times in other posts. Affinity is a good replacement program for Photoshop and seems easier to use, check their website. All of these programs offer free trial periods. Try something new.

larrylee Loc: East Tennessee Mtns.

I was using PSE 15 and moved on up to 18. The new features that 10 didn't have are worth the switch. Haze removal is a must have. I am going back and even applying it on old pictures. and it works super well on under water pictures. The shake reduction works on a lot of shots, and over does it on some. PSE 18 has a pretty darn good new masking tool, that saves a ton of work in some cases. I think you would be happy with a switch to 18. It is well worth the money for what is added over your PSE 10. I found it easer to access the new haze removal tool, while in PSE rather then go into Lightroom or Topaz studio to use the wonderful haze removal tool, which as I said works wonders on cleaning up all kinds of photos: Larry