Photoshop versions: I want to learn Photoshop. Is there just one version available? I assume the latest version Is the best. I have an HP Pavilion lap top with windows 7 which is...

maren

I want to learn Photoshop. Is there just one version available? I assume the latest version Is the best. I have an HP Pavilion lap top with windows 7 which is probably 4-5 years old. I also assume that my next computer will have windows 10 installed.
Any words of wisdom will be appreciated. Thanks

mchroust Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

These days, the newest Photoshop is "Photoshop CC" which is a subscription based product. With the subscription you will also get Adobe Lightroom which is a cataloging and developing software. The subscription is approximately $9.00 per month in US. Depends where you live. Just Google Adobe and you will see all the software they offering.

maren

mchroust wrote:

These days, the newest Photoshop is "Photoshop CC" which is a subscription based product. With the subscription you will also get Adobe Lightroom which is a cataloging and developing software. The subscription is approximately $9.00 per month in US. Depends where you live. Just Google Adobe and you will see all the software they offering.

Thank you, I will do that. I am old school, and thought I would go to a Best Buy and buy a box labeled photoshop.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Another option is to download and install Photoshop CS2, an old version. You can download it directly from Adobe. It won't cost you anything, and it has most of the basic functions found on the latest version. At least to learn how to use Photoshop; you can then switch to the latest paid version later after mastering the CS2 version. I had no problems installing and running CS2 on my laptop with Windows 10. Obviously the new version has additional functions and some improvements and changes, but CS2 offers all the basic stuff for editing and gives you the opportunity to become acquainted with Photoshop without spending money.

maren

rook2c4 wrote:

Another option is to download and install Photosho... (show quote)

Thank you rook2c4. I can't think of a better deal than that. Great!

JayB Loc: Northeast US

rook2c4 wrote:

Another option is to download and install Photosho... (show quote)

Can I say thanks, too? That was a great tip!!!

maren

I love you guys/gals in this forum. I am so very thankful that you take the time to offer advice based on your experience and knowledge to those of us just getting started or who have the desire to improve our skills. Otherwise, I would have to rely on advice from those in the retail sector or biased advice from internet sources. I hope one day to have the knowledge and experience to help someone too. God's blessings to you all

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Go on EBay and look for Photoshop CS6 It can run about 50 to $75.00 it is quite advanced and will run on your old HP,
as it did mine before it died. CS6 can do most of what the subscription service can do, of course its not updated with new features as PS creative cloud but as an amateur it will do ....

maren

bdk wrote:

Go on EBay and look for Photoshop CS6 It can run about 50 to $75.00 it is quite advanced and will run on your old HP,
as it did mine before it died. CS6 can do most of what the subscription service can do, of course its not updated with new features as PS creative cloud but as an amateur it will do ....

Thanks bdk

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

maren wrote:

Thank you, I will do that. I am old school, and thought I would go to a Best Buy and buy a box labeled photoshop.

Unfortunately, that's in the past. I have stand-alone version of LR and PS. I'll get a different product rather than subscribe.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

maren wrote:

I want to learn Photoshop. Is there just one version available? I assume the latest version Is the best. I have an HP Pavilion lap top with windows 7 which is probably 4-5 years old. I also assume that my next computer will have windows 10 installed.
Any words of wisdom will be appreciated. Thanks

The Adobe CC subscription is the way to go if you plan to continue using Photoshop for any length of time. Also LightRoom is included. For as long as you subscribe, you will ALWAYS have the latest version for no extra charge. Check out the computer requirements for the subscription, to make sure you have them on your current computer. But yes, it is a good idea to get a newer computer at some point.

You can get a 30-day trial for both PS and LR before buying. This will give you time to play around with the programs and get a head-start on learning to use them. And the transfer from trial to subscription is easy. You will also want to get a book, watch videos, whatever else you can find to help with learning them. Adobe has tutorials on its website, CreativeLive has real-time "On Air" tutorials to watch (and buy later if you want). There are tons of different places to find free sources, including the PS online help and/or the manual online.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

maren wrote:

I want to learn Photoshop. Is there just one version available? I assume the latest version Is the best. I have an HP Pavilion lap top with windows 7 which is probably 4-5 years old. I also assume that my next computer will have windows 10 installed.
Any words of wisdom will be appreciated. Thanks

If you want PS, you'll have to go with their rental software. Not a problem if you like slavery. I run it on my Dell laptop and on my I7 based desktop. It works fine on both. And Win 10 actually makes things even better.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

maren wrote:

Thank you, I will do that. I am old school, and thought I would go to a Best Buy and buy a box labeled photoshop.

That would likely be Photoshop Elements, which is a decent subset of Photoshop's features.

JayB Loc: Northeast US

I took an earlier suggestion and ordered CS6 on EBay. Maybe I'll subscribe later, but for now, I just want the box of toys. And thanks, Dan on clarifying what Elements is.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

aerides wrote:

I took an earlier suggestion and ordered CS6 on EBay. Maybe I'll subscribe later, but for now, I just want the box of toys. And thanks, Dan on clarifying what Elements is.

Just one caution - depending on how new your camera is, CS6 may or may not be able to open its RAW files, although it will do just fine with JPG's. There are workarounds if it won't open the RAW files, although they involve an extra step to convert them to Adobe DNG using a utility Adobe provides.