russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

If you want the power of Photoshop but not the price, try Corel PaintShop Pro X4. I've been doing comparison work between the two (as well as Corel Photo-Paint X5 and Lightroom 3.6) for the last six months. I have not yet found anything that, as of 1/7/12, Photoshop does that PaintShop Pro doesn't. They just do them in different ways and often witih different names. Since PSP is about 18 months newer than CS5, I find that it actually does a few things much more easily than Photoshop does. The two programs, like Canon and Nikon, leapfrog each other when new versions are released.

PSP X4 is currently on sale for $49.99 with a 30-day money back guarantee. Additionally, you can try Photoshop CS5, Lightroom, and PSP X4 with a free, 30-day trial version that is fully functional.

I had been renting CS5 for six months (another way to get CS5) but for my new year's present to myself, I terminated the lease. It's Lightroom for quick & dirty (and easy) work, and PSP X4 and Draw X5 for the dastardly stuff.

Disclaimer: Corel did not pay me or provide any other inducement to endorse their product, but if they find this post, they should feel free to send me a few dollars.

DavidT Loc: Maryland

[quote=Roger Hicks]

Not to get off subject too much, but I also have an old version of Photoshop (7) and recently bought Elements 9 and Lightroom 3. I find the combination of Elements 9 (10 now) and Lightroom 3 complements each other very well. I rarely use the "big gun" anymore. Photoshop CS5 has evolved considerably from the older version and appears to be geared more towards the graphics artist than the photographer. It can create spectacular images, but seems to go beyond the realm of traditional photography. If creating digital graphics is your preference, then I agree it is a powerful program. But, for the majority of photographers, Elements is no wimp. IMHO

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I have been told that LR is an "image editor" vs. PS which is a "pixel editor". Can someone explain the difference assuming their is any?

SteveH Loc: Putnam Valley NY & Boynton Beach, Fla

I use Literoom which is a fairly simple way to edit both raw and jpeg photos. It is much more sophisticated than the editor in Snapfish and Shutterfly. It doesn't allow you to do the major things that Photoshop does.

I havent had the need or inclination to get involved with Photo shop because of the expense and time it requires. I did try elements and thought that much of it is an overlap of literoom.

Maybe I will start a separate thread on this topic alone?

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

I am an old confused professor, so be gentle, critics--even though I can handle it. I do UHH everyday and have learned a ton in spite of being a past Photoshop 7 guy who now uses Lightroom3 and PSE9 (up from 8). CS5 is tempting, but I would seldom need it.

Now for my question: (Oh! A PH.D. never asks questions; he researches the answers from respected sources. So far that has not revealed any satisfactory result. Since this site has gained my respect here goes:

How do I start in ACR first (I shoot mostly RAW)? Sometimes I can find it by accident in PSE9. It seems to be more hidden in LR3. What are the paths to ACR in each Adobe program or by itself?

I will copy and print the results to replace the many books and files I have that have failed my old brain thus far.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I find Elements awesome but challenging to learn. Although perhaps not as difficult as some of my college courses (like partial differential equations) I wouldn't call Elements "idiot friendly". But then I only have two Master's degrees, one in Engineering.

Elements comes with Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). I think it is a slight downgrade from what you get with Photoshop but definitely slick. Compared to the editor in Elements it is simple.

The Nikon View NX2 software that comes free with the cameras also has a good basic RAW editing capability.

I also got one with a GIMP disc. I forget the name of it but it was free and similar to ACR. It's hanging out on my computer so I can find it if someone wants to know.

DavidT Loc: Maryland

I believe what this means is that LR does not permanently alter the original image (i.e., pixels), but only processes software steps and saves those steps to reach a final image. It's hard to explain and difficult to understand without actually using LR. PS alters the original image (i.e., permanently changes the recorded pixels).

MtnMan Loc: ID

Why Lightroom?

I ask because I have only recently learned the power of the Organizer in PSE 10. It is awesome.

I can't imagine why I'd ever want Photoshop. It is going to be several years before I feel competent in PSE 10...and they'll be up to 12 by then.

I may purchase some of the add-ins from Topaz some day. People in my camera club seem to use it a lot. Most Photoshop add-ins work in Elements.

[quote=DavidT]

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Thanks to DavidT for the explanation.

dustywing Loc: North East WI

I still agree with DrDave. Hicks lives up to his name.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Trying to pull the discussion back to the original comment:
CS5 Raw allows non destructive and bulk editing of Raw files. These edits can then be bulk saved in a variety of formats (Tiff, jpeg, etc.) while the default is to maintain it in Raw along with a file that records all the modifications made. The raw file(s) can be exported directly to PhotoShop for further editing. I find I can do most of my editing, on what I call "average savable" shots in Raw, but those that are "special" I bring into PhotoShop for final detailing.
Black and white conversion is another matter entirely. Yes, Raw will convert to B&W but I personally find the results lacking. I use a filter (Topaz) in PhotoShop to do this sort of work.

DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

I'm not at all familiar with Lightroom, but in CS5, all I have to do is open a RAW image from whatever folder it's in(right click "open with..." ) with CS5 and it automatically opens in ACR.
I hope that was clear.

jwrawlinson

Most of my needs are quite simple compared with my many years as a professional photographer. I simply need to clear up some of the wrinkles, crop images, enhance skies, and do some other basic alterations in my photographs. I am not interested in contest winning efforts. Sometimes I want a special image for myself and I go to a competent store for enhancement so I can have a
metallic print. I find my use of Aperture enough for me for my basic needs. Photography is like dancing; as long as you are having fun you are doing it right.
JR

jwrawlinson

Most of my needs are quite simple compared with my many years as a professional photographer. I simply need to clear up some of the wrinkles, crop images, enhance skies, and do some other basic alterations in my photographs. I am not interested in contest winning efforts. Sometimes I want a special image for myself and I go to a competent store for enhancement so I can have a
metallic print. I find my use of Aperture enough for me for my basic needs. Photography is like dancing; as long as you are having fun you are doing it right.
JR

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

I would not argue for an instant, because I cannot: we can only judge what we have tried, and I have not tried Paintshop. After reading your recommendation, the only reason for me NOT to try Paintshop is that I don't want to learn yet ANOTHER bloody program. I'd rather take pictures...

Cheers,

R.