billybob40

Start with the best Adobe photoshop element 10 try it for 30 days free. You can see how to use it on videos at adobe TV and youtube.com

jbert Loc: Texas

Nik72,

I have to say this, but why would you ever need Photoshop. If what you are using with Elements 10 and your great understanding of your gear, produces the kind of images I see on flickr ---- why in the world spend more money for PS.

Going Digital Loc: MidWestern IL (Near StL)

Anybody know anything about the editing software that comes with the Canon? Digital Photo Professional 3.10 ? I have it, have seen it, haven't used it yet. Don't really know how yet?

Prisca Loc: Maine

I have been using various versions of Photoshop since version 6 and now have been using Photoshop CS3 for three years. I just bought Photoshop Elements to put on my husband's new computer. It seems to me that if you can do it in Elements, you can do it in full Photoshop without a steep learning curve. A lot of the stuff in Elements is really easier in Photoshop. But with everything else, practice, practice, and more practice! The computer shortcuts are mostly the same in both programs. Hope this helps.

Going Digital Loc: MidWestern IL (Near StL)

I'll check it out. Price is right!

tripsy76 Loc: Northshore, MA

Hello,
PS Elements is a program designed for both hobbyists, and photographers who tend to get by with the minimum required post tools. It's a pretty solid software package for relatively little cost.
Photoshop is a more extensive program where you have a larger arsenal of tools that begin to venture into painting, restoration, and web.
Photoshop Extended is the package I use, and it contains everything listed below, plus it includes heavier multi-media tools. This is the package that also includes 3D capabilities, and tools for motion graphics. It's the most expensive of the lot, and I wince whenever I have to upgrade! Most needs of a professional photographer can be met with the tools in Photoshop Elements, it's once you begin to venture into areas like restoration and other things that you need to consider the cost. And as far as shortcuts go, many are the same, and you do have the options to assign and reassign shortcuts as you see fit.
Hope that helps!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Nikonian 72
Elements and the full program are the same with all comands. I too had full version of CS8 and lesser versions. I now use Elements. It will do anything you want.

gessman Loc: Colorado

There are several programs that come with the purchase of a Canon and they work together and form a pretty strong team of programs to post process your images. I use it for that. I don't have Photoshop but have looked at it and do have an older version of Elements that came with a prior purchase, a 20D. I would estimate that you can do about anything with the Canon software that you need to do unless you want to get into the artsy stuff that some folks do with other programs. Canon software does not do layers but it is powerful software for dealing with RAW and exporting that to .jpg or .tif. There is a later version than the one you have and you can download the upgrade at http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/ clicking on your camera model. When you move to the page about your camera you'll see a selection for "drivers and software." Click on that and it'll take you to a list of all the updates of the various modules and they will usually be at the top of the list. There's also a chance that there's been a firmware update for your camera. It will show the latest firmware version and you can look on your camera's menu to see what version you have on your camera now. If the firmware patch that's on the site is later than yours, download the firmware file and the instructions as to how to apply it. One thing I do want to caution you about is to make sure your battery is fully charged or your camera is plugged into a usb port. Having a battery die while the firmware update is being done will leave your camera unusable and will require that you send it into Canon to get functionality restored. If you have any more questions about this, feel free to pm me and we can talk about it.

That firmware patch, if there is one, will be further on down the software list, probably close to the bottom set of to itself in a box.

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

I use FastStone viewer all the time as well as FastStone Resizer with great results. But for real enhancement it's hard to beat LightRoom these days for speed and agility.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

I'm not familiar with the Canon software, which may fit your needs very well at this point. There's a "However," coming up, but you knew that, didn't you? If Canon's software doesn't do layers, you'd be missing out on one of the major benefits of Photoshop or PSE. Layers allow you to do non-destructive editing, i.e., your original photo is in the bottom layer, you can duplicate it in a new layer, and layers allow you to combine effects. Without layering, your changes have to be done one after the other, and they permanently alter the image you're working on. You may be able to step backwards through your changes, but that's it.

gessman Loc: Colorado

I have PSE but as a non-pro, most of my photography is about getting into the outdoors and observing and capturing wildlife shots. If I have an ounce of art in me it isn't with the camera, I'm afraid. I have my camera settings maxed out and really don't have the time or inclination to sit at the computer and do that much stuff. Canon's DPP has curves, levels, sharp, and many other procedures and I do those things when going from raw to jpg and I'm pretty happy with it. I'll take an image into PSE to use the stamp on occasion but that's about it. I really don't have an interest in layers. Maybe in the future. Thanks.

Going Digital Loc: MidWestern IL (Near StL)

Sounds like good advise. I've got A LOT to learn. Working a 55-60+ hr job a week, it's going to be LONG learning curve. From what I've read, it sounds like the "layers" feature is something that is needed. I'll look into it.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Whether or not you need layers will depend on what you want to do with your images. Nobody can tell you one way or another - just another part of your discovery. I hope you're an easy and fast learner. I don't care to alter my images such that layers are needed. It's an individual thing. I can do it, I just don't choose to. If you manage everything just right on the front end when you take the pictures and if you're not into fantasy photography, you may be able to get by without layers. I'm sure you'll find out for yourself but expert photography and expert Photoshopping are two different things, just as photography and photo lab work were, and you can do one without the other, especially can you do photography without Photoshop. Some form of image adjustment like sharpening, adjusting color, contrast, etc., may be desirable but you can do all of that in Canon's DPP or the other software Canon provides. I will say this, if you know you are headed to Photoshop eventually, I would not spend my time learning other software - I'd invest the time in what I was going to wind up in. They are not all the same, close, but not the same. It is difficult to know where you want to wind up when you're just starting on a road you've never been on before without a map or solid advice in the way of directions. Nobody can tell you where you want to wind up and for anyone to tell a new person to "just buy Photoshop because it does layers" is kin to assuming it is known where a person is headed. It isn't possible. Good luck to you in your journey. There'll be moments of abject frustration and complete jubilation but on balance it will be a very rewarding journey.

Coops Place Loc: Chicago Area

Paint Shop Pro has the same features of the menus that snap from the margin of the screen. Yeah, this is a great feature in that it frees up the screen for the picture you are working on.