Photoshop Elements: Would love feedback on your experience with Photoshop Elements as there seem to be a number of versions. Looking specifically for background image change options.

plansker Loc: Nassau County, New York

Would love feedback on your experience with Photoshop Elements as there seem to be a number of versions. Looking specifically for background image change options. Have photos from an important event with undesirable backdrops. Appreciate any and all responses.

Leigh

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Elements has a number of versions because Adobe doesn't do updates. They issue a new version at $80, which drops to about half price around Black Friday. To upgrade from an earlier version costs the same. So if you're going to try Elements (30-day free trial), just as well go for the latest and greatest, Version 14. :)

BTW, I'm still using Version 12, but may update to 14 when the price drops.

plansker Loc: Nassau County, New York

Purchased 14 from Amazon.com for 70.00, will have it by Saturday. Eager to begin using it. Thanks for the info!

cmoroney Loc: Pasadena, California

I upgraded from PSE 10 to 14 and am really pleased with the latest/greatest. The interface has been redesigned and is so much nicer, and makes it a lot easier for a complete novice like myself to work with it.

Granted I know next-to-nothing about PSE and the big daddy of full-blown Photoshop, but PSE gives me all that I can ever see needing.

Catherine

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

Been using PSE since version 6. I now use version 13. It is a powerful PP program. My only gripe is that it works with 8 bit layers and not with 16 bit layers (I shoot Raw). I also work with Paintshop Pro X8 Ultimate. It is not as elegant as PSE 13 but it has more editing tools and works with 16 bit layers. I bought Paintshop from B&H for $50.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I've used PSE for a number of years now and am still tapping into its potential. I am presently using Elements 14.

Be sure to download Google's Nik Software bundles (they are now free); I did a few weeks ago and am learning something new every day -- they will take your photos to a whole new level.

Caribou Loc: St. Louis, MO

PSE is a very good program if you don't want or need the full Photoshop program. I've enjoyed using it very much. Get a good instruction manual. I found the Missing Manual series to be very helpful. I've been using PSE 10 for a long time and I'm still very happy with it. With each upgrade they tweak it a little so you should probably get the latest version. There is also a good magazine available called Elements. I learned a lot from that.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

plansker wrote:

Would love feedback on your experience with Photoshop Elements as there seem to be a number of versions. Looking specifically for background image change options. Have photos from an important event with undesirable backdrops. Appreciate any and all responses.

Leigh

Leigh, I had to full version for many years. I discovered Elements and see no reason to go back. It does anything (most) photographers can use. The different versions add very little each year. I have 11 and the newest ones have nothing I need. Each version is the same with a small amout of tools added. By the most recent that is less cost. Usually $69 instead of the 14 or 15 version which is $99.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

OddJobber wrote:

Elements has a number of versions because Adobe doesn't do updates. They issue a new version at $80, which drops to about half price around Black Friday. To upgrade from an earlier version costs the same. So if you're going to try Elements (30-day free trial), just as well go for the latest and greatest, Version 14. :)

BTW, I'm still using Version 12, but may update to 14 when the price drops.

I think Adobe had it on sale at $39.99 a week ago; check their site.

BobbyT Loc: Southern California

Does Photoshop use 16 bit processing of Raw files?

Caribou Loc: St. Louis, MO

Photoshop does. Not Elements

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Caribou wrote:

Photoshop does. Not Elements

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

pghend Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I use PSE 13 but would like to know the significance of only being able to work with 8 bit vs. 16 bit. Hadn't crossed my radar so far and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

pghend wrote:

I use PSE 13 but would like to know the significance of only being able to work with 8 bit vs. 16 bit. Hadn't crossed my radar so far and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

The more editing you do on a 16-bit image, the more detail you retain without degrading the image. As far as just shooting a picture and doing a little minor editing, you won't ever see the difference. It's only when you want to do more major editing that you will see the difference. Also, when you see banding in pictures, (usually blue sky pictures), a 16-bit image will usually prevent it.

See this web article about this: http://www.photoshopessentials.com/essentials/16-bit/

PS - PSE does very little 16-bit editing where the full blown version of Photoshop does 95% of it's editing to 16-bit images. Photoshop CC also does some 32-bit editing.

pghend Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Thanks so much for the clarification.