hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I've been using Elements since version 1 that came with my first Windows computer. Now on 15. Still learning from it. Kept 11 because of an edit that was dropped in later versions. Unfortunately I don't remember what that edit was. Senior memory.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Elements would be fine.

Not sure if you should buy last year's, though. Adobe updates it annually, and when they do the previous version is no longer supported. Elements 2020 was rolled out in October 2019.

If you want to work with RAW files, your version of Elements needs to be up-to-date enough for your camera.

If you plan to purchase a new camera before next year, you will probably need to get Elements 2020 to be able to work with it's RAW files. If you don't plan to buy a new camera any time soon and have one that was introduced prior to October 2019, the older version can work fine.

You can check versions vs camera models on the Adobe website.

If you need the newest version of Photoshop Elements 2020, it's not all that much more expensive: $100 (was on sale for $70 until recently, but probably won't go on sale again until late in the year).

If you also want to work with video, get the bundle with both Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 2020, for $150 (separately they each cost $100, so you save $50 buying the bundle).

If you are a student or teacher, there's an academic/download version of Photoshop Elements 2020 with Photoshop Premiere 2020 available for $80.(https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1511736-REG/adobe_65300321_photoshop_elements_2020.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB-y5JyvnkWxniL0DolDnqBLzBMAxs7rRl1lP3gFc_RIr2UfAkm_D0IaAj5SEALw_wcB and https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-Premiere-Student/dp/B07WPW7QXX/ref=asc_df_B07WPW7QXX/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=390230470066&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9604343122781232140&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061323&hvtargid=pla-835219447111&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=75115104890&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=390230470066&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9604343122781232140&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061323&hvtargid=pla-835219447111)

Here's a comparison of the most recent versions of Elements: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buying-guide.html

If the 2019 version will work for you.... sure, save a little money, $50 is reasonable. But be careful buying off Craigslist. First, only meet with people in a safe place. Inside a coffee shop or bank, or even in the lobby of a police dept. Also be sure the copy of Elements 2019 you're buying is not already in use by someone. It should still be sealed up in it's original packaging. I wouldn't buy an opened package. I think it's single user license, so might not be possible to use if someone already installed it on another computer.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

PSE 19 works just fine with Catalina on my iMac, it would not function with Catalina on my MacBook Air.
I had to uninstall everything and go back to Mojave. Mr. Google said I am not alone in this.
For now PSE does more than I need, I hope to get good enough that I yneed something more powerful.

MJAbe Loc: Wisconsin

Here is how it turned out. It was a huge hassle and Adobe has a 30 minute wait time on the phone and so I went ahead and bought it. Turns out it is Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements. It all installed and works well!!!!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Absolutely

Randle

Wish I knew how to use layers. Have tried several times with no luck!

MJAbe Loc: Wisconsin

I kind of get it. I’ve only used Photoshop two or three times now so I think it will come but it is still a bit to grasp.

Brian45 Loc: Melbourne, Australia

I'm still using Elements 10 together with Nik and Topaz add-ons. Does a great job.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

the way it was explained to me years ago that made everything click is that it's like using clear plastic to edit your original.

Your original is on paper, each edit above that is on clear vellum. If later, you don't like something, you can just remove (delete) that sheet from the stack.

Eventually, when you get into masks, just think of them as more sheets of paper, with cut outs so you can see part of whatever is underneath.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Elements is a great program. It is missing some of the bells and whistles on the real Photoshop, but for processing my photos it has everything almost that I need.
If you want to expand it a bit, try Elments+. The sample download allows you to use a curve adjustment lawyer. The rest is only $12.