cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

How much time do you want to put into learning Photoshop? If you want to open it up and proceed intuitively, you will probably be disappointed. If you're willing to put in a few hours a week with a good guide (Adobe's "Classroom in a Book," some other book, or any of many videos) for a couple of weeks, you could become quite skilled at it, if not an expert. True expertise will require many more hours, but most users I'd guess are not true experts.

cwilliams31 Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina

I have plenty of time -

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

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I am the same way about the confusion of Where I Want to store my files = And Where LR wants to store them.
I just could Not get my head around LR - I got really angry at myself for buying it without trying it first.
I move my files around where I Want them and often it is different from time to time. LR is really good (for some people) for organization of their files.... Not for me.

I ended up giving LR to my son - he really likes it.

I up-load my RAW files to where I Want - Do the edits by open in RAW from "Bridge" - Then bring them into CS-5 where I do the major edits with plugins from NIK Software (best damn "plugins" out there, for me that is)..

These are only my thoughts on this and others will - and should - have their own.

Les White

I am also 76 and still learning lots about Lightroom CC--what i would like is a very basic starter document on Photoshop CC which I purchased as a package through 500PX

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Not at all - I'm 77 and have used PS CS4 and older versions for a few years - like all have said there is a learning curve don't let that scare you - my advise is to get one of the better PS books - heck even PS for Dummies is good - after you kind of learn what all the tools symbols do and represent. move into tutorials of what you specifically want to do with the program to your photo.
I only use it to "crisp en/enhance" which is only 3 or 4 simple tasks and then resize and crop my image. 2 more very simple tasks.
Mow that is my normal use - I also have ventured into far more advanced tasks over the years but that is what is involved in the learning curve.
Go For It and enjoy the adventure.

cwilliams31 Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina

After checking it seems I have everything I need to take the place of the CS category.
It's just that it seems a photographer is always looking for a way to better himself and is afraid he's missed out on something-
You all will probably agree with that ....

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

i know i'll get flamed by some one or two for saying this, but i ignore where LR thinks about file arrangements & just export images to where ever i choose. i like LR's processing arrangement so much that i spend most of my processing time in it, with NIK adjustments when i need them, but will also use ON1 and Corel when i can't figure out how to do what i want in LR. my latest problem is with grain. adobe converter seems to be giving me more grain than i think should be there, even on images shot at 640, but especially above 1200. i really would like a better RAW converter.

cwilliams31 Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina

If it'll help you any - I usually use Corel Paint Shop and get rid of my grain - It will be under adjust then noise removal ......

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you gave up on LR, forget about PS!

PS is probably 5X more difficult to learn to use well than LR!

Get a copy of Elements instead. It borrows the most used features of both LR and PS, can do most the things most photographers will ever need and also has user-selectable interfaces: beginner, intermediate, advanced. LR and PS only offer one interface each: advanced and very advanced, respectively.

LR and PS really aren't complete, either. They are two sides of a coin, so to speak. LR is a high-volume cataloging and organizing program, with batch RAW conversion, and "lite" mostly global image editing capabilities... While PS is the world's most compete and complicated one-image-at-a-time, pixel-level-capable image editing program, with relatively "lite" cataloging and organizing features.

Someone who only shoots a few images, but edits them to a very finished product, might get by with PS alone. And someone who shoots a lot of images, but only needs to finish them to "proof" quality or make small prints or share online, might be okay only using LR.

In contrast, Elements is a stand-alone table to do both to the extent that many even most photographers require. So, I'd suggest you save your money and get Elements instead. And, if after using Elements for a while, you find you still want some of the more pro/commercial-oriented features of LR and PS, you'll actually find them easier because of what you've learned using Elements. But you also might find the Elements does all you ever actually need.

cwilliams31 Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina

Sounds like what I might need - Will check it out - Thanks ...

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

If you have any of the PP programs that are either free or less expensive you are in business for most simple/basic digital editing you may want.



:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Don't you believe it ! You are as young as you feel- just get stuck in- it will be good for you ! You can always ask questions if you need to !

cwilliams31 Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina

I love Elements 14 but it is for Mac only -

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

My age is 77, my body says 97 , my mind 57 ( age I retired )LOL.

nikonwaddy

cwilliams31..I turned 72 on the 14'th and have been using PS CC for a year, monthly subscription. Yes it is a slog and most folks will never know it all but it is powerful and amazing...!!! It is a daily or at least every few days a new learning experience if you play with your photo's most days as I do. I am retired 10 yr's now and photography is my main obsession. There are many, many free tutorials about PS CC on the net and easily found. My recommendation from a fellow geezer is Hell Yes, jump in, grab a root and growl and see what you can learn and do....

Full disclosure..I did use PS elements for a few years before PS CC, I don't use LR (a tad confusing to me), I don't use Bridge and find Windows File System good enough for me at my level. I shoot mostly art nude but also landscape and wildlife....

Bottom line..try it..but be prepared for a steep learning curve and a real reward when you reach each summit......