RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

I've been using PS Elements 10 with good (I think) results. But, I can't access all the features unless my files are 8 bit.

Photoshop works in 16 bit.

Would my results improve if I moved up to CS6 and processed all images in 16 bit?

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

Your color depth will be tremendously higher. If you take on the learning curve of PS well I think you would be pleased.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

Thanks, gmcase ...

I wish I could compare results of an image processed in both PSE10 and CS6.

I'd load up a RAW file if someone would like to play ...

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

Maybe consider downloading a 30 day free trial when you can get some solid seat time in. I am not familiar with PSE 10 so I cannot speak to the differences between the two programs. Wish I could helps that.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I couldn't say they'd improve if you performed the same action in each program. Actually the CS6 images would improve but not so much that you'd notice except in the histogram where you'd see more data loss in the PSE images because of the 8bit verses 16bit edits. But CS6 has editing features that PSE doesn't have so those edits would be improved.

I have PSE9 and it doesn't have the same 'Curves' adjustment that CS5/6 has. This is one of the most usefull adjustments that CS5/6 has. PSE9 has something called 'Color Curves' which isn't anything like 'Curves' adjustment in CS.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

Thanks, Jeep daddy ...Good feedback. Something to ponder.

MtnMan Loc: ID

A much less expensive option is to try Lightroom.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

I thought that Lightroom was an add-on for PS. Is it stand-alone? Is it better than PS Elements 10? Does it process in 16 bit?

I've been to webinars where the presenter, a photographer, sometimes indicated they used Lightroom in conjunction with PS.

MtnMan Loc: ID

It is stand alone but it allows you to also send files to Photoshop or Elements for additional processing. Lightroom does not do layers but has many other cool features. Many professional photogrphers use it as their only program.

After nearly a year of intensive use I have become fairly proficient at Elements. I am a great user and fan of the Organizer.

I originally viewed the Organizer as kind of a Lightroom light. It is but I now see there are far more features in Lightroom. I've only been working with it a couple of days and don't even have my book yet but I am already able to do some things I would have struggled with in Elements.

I think one of the bigger deals is that Lightroom comes with and you can create Presets that do a number of functions on a photo and then reuse those presets on groups of photos. You can't do that with Elements.

It is synergistic with Elements in that it automatically swallowed my catalog with all the tags and enabled sending pics to the Elements editor. I have a little issue with that at the moment I made another thread for but am pretty sure it is fixable...i.e. I'm doing something wrong.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

As stated here LR is a great stand alone program that doesn't do layering. You can do 90% of your editing in LR and if you need to layer or add frames and such to your image you can then open it in the PSE Editor from LR. But you must change it from a 16bit image in LR to an 8bit image when you make the transition. It's a setting in LR that you must select; or your can transition in 16 bit mode from LR and change to 8bit when you are in the PSE Editor.