Photoshop or Photoshop Elements - Which is better? I have an older Mac with Photoshop Elements 4 that I have been learning on for 2-3 years. I'm thinking of upgrading to a new computer...

susie-q-tip Loc: Mississippi/Texas

I have an older Mac with Photoshop Elements 4 that I have been learning on for 2-3 years. I'm thinking of upgrading to a new computer this fall and was wondering what the difference is between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. A new Mac should be able to use either. Is there anyone out there who can explain the difference to me?

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

Someone may be able to explain it better, but Photoshop Elements is a stripped down version of Photoshop. It is easier to use, and it works well for cataloging all your photos. Don't get me wrong, you can do a lot with Elements. Photoshop has more features, you can use Adobe Camera Raw and Bridge with it, and it is easier to use actions with it. Although, you can still make actions work in Elements!

I think, but I'm not sure, that you can edit raw photos in Elements as well. I am old Elements user, the last version I had was 4...since then I upgraded to Photoshop CS5.

Carioca

The important question is whether Elements is doing everything YOU want it to do.

If it is, then the full version is a waste of money.

You should definitely move up to a newer version of Elements, though. Getting 9 will save you a lot of money, compared to 10.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Carioca wrote:

The important question is whether Elements is doing everything YOU want it to do.

If it is, then the full version is a waste of money.

You should definitely move up to a newer version of Elements, though. Getting 9 will save you a lot of money, compared to 10.

I agree with Carioca. :thumbup:

susie-q-tip Loc: Mississippi/Texas

Thanks to all of you for responding. I thought Elements was a stripped down version of PS, just wanted to make sure. I just do photography as a hobby and now that I'm retired I want to learn as much as I can about my camera (Cannon G10) and what I can do with Photoshop Elements 4 and Photomatix. It's a fun hobby.

-lois- Loc: Oregon

Elements, I believe, is more than a stripped down PS. It was made for the general public who wants some of the cool things you can do with PS for a fraction of the cost. I have used PS for over 15 years and I love it...but after all those years, I STILL don't know all the bells and whistles of PS. A lot, but not all. Seems to me, every new version, they put more functionality in Elements and you get a lot of bang for your buck. To me, though, it does not work much like PS. I tried to play with a version of it years ago and you don't do anything the same way you do in PS. Wonder if that has changed!?

3Stripes Loc: Rocester, UK

I have both PSE9 and PS CS5 but I only use PSE9. It has everything I need for PP whereas PS has loads (too much) that I dont need.

cabby dave Loc: UK

3Stripes wrote:

I have both PSE9 and PS CS5 but I only use PSE9. It has everything I need for PP whereas PS has loads (too much) that I dont need.

The "CS" in Photoshop CS5 etc stands for Creative Suite. It is aimed at professional image creators including but not exclusively photographers. Animators and graphic artists as well as designers also use Photoshop CS. If you want to do some editing and or enhancing of your photographic images, icluding RAW processing, recomposing, stitching, cropping, layering and loads more, you'll be hard pushed to find a better value software program than PS Elements. Each version upgrade adds a little more but Elements 9 is a more than capable suite of tools and there are plenty of of third party plug ins such as "curves for elements" which make it even beter. All for less than a fifth of the cost of the full CS software package.

Donwitz Loc: Virginia Beach, VA

Now that you are retired, you may be qualified for FREE classes at your nearest community college. Check and see what is available. If you can take photography 101 (or whatever they call it), you will surely be exposed to PS. This will give you an opportunity to check it out. If you like it, you should be eligible for a healthy student discount from the Adobe educational program!

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Donwitz wrote:

Now that you are retired, you may be qualified for FREE classes at your nearest community college. Check and see what is available. If you can take photography 101 (or whatever they call it), you will surely be exposed to PS. This will give you an opportunity to check it out. If you like it, you should be eligible for a healthy student discount from the Adobe educational program!

You must live in a very progressive part of the country. Here in PA there is no such thing as free classes at the community college except for GED preparation.

Donwitz Loc: Virginia Beach, VA

Well, I Googled MSU, home of the Bulldogs, because I didn't know the name of any other schools in Miss. The have free tuition for folks over 60, and I am sure that some other schools do, too.

go to

http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/91179.html

That's what I like about the South....

I just Googled PA... go to

http://www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com/2011/09/pennsylvania.html

Who knew???

Carolyn71 Loc: In hiding.

susie-q-tip wrote:

I have an older Mac with Photoshop Elements 4 that I have been learning on for 2-3 years. I'm thinking of upgrading to a new computer this fall and was wondering what the difference is between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. A new Mac should be able to use either. Is there anyone out there who can explain the difference to me?

I am a Mac person. I have Elements 9, but I also got Aperture for my new Apple. It is different than Elements, but I love it.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Donwitz wrote:

Well, I Googled MSU, home of the Bulldogs, because I didn't know the name of any other schools in Miss. The have free tuition for folks over 60, and I am sure that some other schools do, too.

go to

http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/91179.html

That's what I like about the South....

I just Googled PA... go to

http://www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com/2011/09/pennsylvania.html

Who knew???

I live in the vicinity of Harrisburg, PA. You will note that there is no tuition waver for seniors for that area. I guess I chose the wrong part of the state to live in. :)

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

I have the Elements 10 and find it more than adequate. The CS5 --I find has more features than I need
There is certainly a big difference in price
Elements 10 here in Canada is around the $85 price and the new CS6 is in the $650 - $700 range
why not try the Elements and see if it does what you need before spending the big bucks for something that you may not need

gagirl89 Loc: SOUTH CAROLINA

personally I prefer Corel Paintshop Pro X4 - I have used elements and didn't really care for it. I bought the Corel Paintshop Pro X4 ultimate - includes the following:

75 new and enhanced features
Exciting pro-level effects
Nik® Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters
Custom photo book* from Blurb®
Free Picture Tubes

I just really like it.