charles brown Loc: Tennesse

I currently have and use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021. My dilemma is do I upgrade to Elements 2022 or is it worth switching to Adobe Lightroom? My primary photographic interest is landscape, flowers and occasionally birds. I recently switched from a DX camera to full frame and shoot in RAW. Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Elements seems to have all the controls I need for editing my photographs but not sure if Lightroom wouldn't offer even more useful editing tools. "Useful" being the key word. Would like to hear from those who are familiar with both programs.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

There is no need for you to upgrade to the latest version of Elements unless they include some new thing you just have to have. I am still (happily) using PSE2014 because it still meets my photography needs. I, too, am primarily a landscape shooter.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Have you considered Lightroom?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If your camera RAW is currently supported by PSE-2021, there is no reason to change your software. Period.

LR is subscription only, so you'd get the full-power of PS (not PSE) in your monthly subscription too. The subscription software gives you an entire 16-bit workflow, with a better / more intuitive / more powerful LR interface replacing ACR. And, no forced change to 8-bit when working in layers in PS.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Do you think I would benefit that much switching?

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

You do realize that to 'switch' from PSE to Lr means that (at least potentially, and if you're smart) you can likewise 'switch' to (the full version of) Photoshop at the same time. That's because opting in on the subscription ($9.95 per month) version (as opposed to some antiquated version, like Lr 6.xx) allows you to simultaneously run (your choice, or both if you want) the full version of Ps and/or (the latest version of) PSE AND and Bridge and ACR, too. Right?

There are those who go on and on about hating monthly subscriptions, and for their purposes they might be half-way right. Assuming, that is, that they do little more than straighten a horizon or adjust a white point or such, and more likely than not only shoot jpgs. More power to 'em, if that's as far as they want to go. But now that you're shooting a full frame camera and in raw, do yourself a favor and go for it. Get the package subscription.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Who are you asking? Use your <quote reply> button.

If you're asking me? I don't know. Your needs are met today, it seems, by PSE-21, both technically and functionally. No hiccups with buggy releases. No new learning curve. No new lifetime, ongoing subscription payment. You'd have to look at your use of layers (frequency and complexity) and decide if that 8-bit workspace is limiting / negating your 12-bit original RAW results.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

If you are looking for more features look into Elements + (A $15 add on to PS Elements).

Red6

Lightroom was the first photo editor I learned to use and it is great. The controls are intuitive and easy to use. I have no issues with the subscription plan because I see a lot of advantages to having software that is always up to date for such a small cost. I spend more than $10 per month on coffee each month.

However, I switched to PSE Elements 2020 several years ago from LF/PS due to one reason, PSE is so much simpler and does not use LR’s catalog system. For busy pros that shoot a lot of images and need that level of complexity to catalog and edit their work it is great. But for those of us that us that are hobbyists that shoot for fun and want to touch up a few images it is overkill. I am computer literate and have used computers and software for years but still found the LR catalog system difficult to use effectively.

Again LR is a great editor but be ready for the learning curve pain. There are simpler alternatives that will get the job done and PSE is one. It does not have all the capabilities of LR but it gets the job done without being overly complex.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Before leaping to new software or feeling agitated that you might be missing "something," perhaps you'd find it useful to share some recent photos and discuss your current editing workflow? There is a post processsing section on UHH, and you could set up a free Dropbox account to place your raw files for others to edit, then compare with your own result.

However, if you're someone who enjoys spending time learning new software, might as well go with the big boys! (I'm an Elements user. The more familiar and easy, the better )

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

In the responses you are getting everyone so far is ignoring one of key reasons why Lightroom (LR) exist. When you edit in LR, you create changes in an image via instruction only. This means you can go back at any time and change the image as your knowledge grows. When you edit in PS, the changes you make are forever. This is why in LR you Import\Export and in PS you Open\Save As an image. Need more proof - why do both exist?

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

I would stick with what you have and know. Others will disagree, but Lightroom is unnecessary.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I’m an advanced amateur, use Elements14, and see no need for LR. The learning curve for Elements was steep enough for me. If anything, the Elements + add on might be useful to you.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I think you’ve answered your own question. PSE is doing everything you need?