Would you recommend purchasing Photoshop elements or downloading and renting the full Photoshop program?
What processing software do you use today? If none, both versions of Photoshop require a significant investment of time for training to make either purchase effective.
I currently have elements 10. I am a retired graphic designer and used the full Photoshop at work.
ChiefEW wrote:
I currently have elements 10. I am a retired graphic designer and used the full Photoshop at work.
Then let's say you know what you're doing relative to either PS version. The argument for the rental at $10 / month is that's a reasonable fee for having always updated PS with immediate access to new capabilities released in the software. The same fee also provides Lightroom. The fee approach is much different than a 1-time purchase or a 1-time purchase every few years and versions where over a few years, you'll pay a lot more in total via the fee model.
One of my editors was updated in 2012, after about six or so years of use of the original install. Since it and Elements 14 do what I need, I have no reason to keep up-grading. I compared Elements 14 and 15 to see what is new in 15. There's nothing in 15 that I HAVE to have - pass.
Coming from film the $10.00 a month is cheap compared to what I had to pay for film, processing and chemicals. In my book the $10 is well worth the price.
We can tell you to try this an that but its what works for you. Most software has 30 day trial try it, if you like it go for it.
Have any of you used GIMP?
ChiefEW wrote:
I currently have elements 10. I am a retired graphic designer and used the full Photoshop at work.
If you were to get PSE 15, and with it purchase "Elements +" <
http://elementsplus.net/ >
for US$12.00, you'd have many of the features of full PS, without the continuous cost.
Now retired, I worked in technology for 30+ years. I learned early that technology truly races forward. Current lifespan is about 9 months. So, my approach to this thing called digital photography is that a commitment must be made. My initial purchase for a PS/LR bundle (PS 5 and LR 3) cost over $900. Then, the upgrade fees every year were well over $200. Needless to say, when the Creative Cloud came along, my reaction was "What a deal!!".
I think it's easy to believe that once we get all the photo equipment we need, which would include a computer and software, we're good to go and never consider the upgrades that are a constant event. After a mere couple of years, the software is outdated. (Notice I didn't say unusable.) Each new release of software presents new features that we may not immediately need, but somewhere in our efforts (assuming we are committed to the craft) that new feature from a few months ago will be required by what we want to do.
In my opinion, the Creative Cloud is the best deal since sliced bread. It's just another marketing method, and it works extremely well.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
ChiefEW wrote:
Would you recommend purchasing Photoshop elements or downloading and renting the full Photoshop program?
I recommend the subscription. More options, 16 bit workflow, better raw conversion, 100% of anything you'd ever what to do to an image is covered. Downside is the learning curve on Photoshop. LR is considerably easier, but not a program for image finishing, any more than ACR is.
If you are looking for software that you don't have to replace every 12 months in order to keep current. Then PSE = CC as far as cost is concerned. There are those out there that believe that by purchasing a license for PSE they somehow "own" something. They don't. All they own is use license, which is no different than "renting" or subscribing to CC. If you are uncomfortable with paying $10/mo, then just pay for 12 or 18 months in one lump sum. In the meantime, the updates and upgrades just keep on coming. In fact, I just checked, and this morning, updates are available for PS, LR and Camera Raw. I don't even have to think about whether I want to do this or not. Downloading now as I write. And each update and upgrade is an improvement over the current version. If $60/yr ($5 a wk) makes that much of an impact on your finances, then I don't know what to tell you. That's almost the price of a single Caffee Mocha at you know where. I'd certainly shift my own priorities away from that cup and towards better software to make better images with. But that's me.
Edia
Loc: Central New Jersey
Why bother with Adobe altogether? I use paintshop pro ultimate that does everything that PS does for the same price as PSE. It does 16 bit layers and uses most of the addins of PS. It has a much easier interface and learning curve than PS.
ChiefEW wrote:
Would you recommend purchasing Photoshop elements or downloading and renting the full Photoshop program?
Neither. I recommend abandoning Photoshop and trying Affinity Photo. I have been a hard sell, but am falling in love after many years of a terrible marriage with Adobe.
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/
Until anyone has experienced the capabilities of the Photoshop for photographers at $10 /month , as far as I'm concerned it's a "GIFT" from Adobe..The sheer number of new features it is constantly adding is not only for the most part VERY useful apps, along with Lightroom (which I rarely use)..I figure it's less than a meal for 2 at "Micky-D's" once a month..I honestly don't understand why ALL who are wishing to grow with their photography. are even considering Elements, which cannot do full 16 bit editing and output...What one needs to know in full Photoshop is miniscule relative to what it offers..BUT that "sector" is worth exponentially more than the $10/month..Throw in NIK by Google (FREE!!), and you've got yourself a mind-blowing set of tools that you just cannot come close to imagining....No..I'm not on ADOBE's payroll..Just an avid photographer who could NOT manage my work without its capabilities!
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