roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca

I need to step up to a more advanced editing program. I think Adobe Photoshop Elements would do it ($100.00).....or is it necessary to get the actual Photoshop( $250)? I want to learn RAW, layering, HDR etc. I know that I will need to get some training programs to go with it. Any suggestions?

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

i would suggest adobe cc, $10.00 per month and would include new upgrades as they happen. Program includes photoshop and lightroom plus other programs. With new cameras coming out all the time, you will never need to buy a new program because your stand alone program will not read the raw files.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

And, with the $10 CC plan, RAW, layering and HDR are all built in.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Many programs will most likely do what you want in some fashion, from Luminar to MacPhun to Adobe and On1 and Affinity, and, as you stated, Photoshop Elements. You must now be using something other than Elements that you have "outgrown" based on what you've said. Why not just take the leap over Photoshop Elements to the Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop package, or to Affinity, or to On1 or one of the other programs. Since you have to learn a new program why not learn one that will most likely "grow with you" since you are wanting to broaden your photography knowledge. Lightroom is a great digital asset management program that will help you keep your images in order and easy to find and will meet most of your processing needs, including HDR and panos, and will allow you to use other programs directly from within the application, programs such as Photoshop, On1, Topaz, Nik, focus stacking programs, and others. On "learning RAW," contrary to what some people seem to believe there really is no actual learning needed for RAW, you just shoot, import, and process; the knowledge needed is for processing the images, but I assume some people do re-process their JPEG images, too, so would most likely have some idea of how to correctly process an image. Processing is learned by doing, you just start seeing what sliders and levers do and learn from that; having said that, I am a believer in reading up on these things as well as on taking classes of any kind. To use Lightroom I recommend that you first read up on the Library Module and this will allow you some understanding of the program, essentially import/export/arranging images, and save you from making major mistakes as you import.

Maik723

Yup,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,one word,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,AFFINITY.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

There are several very good Photo editors other than Adoble. If you wish to go with Adobe you can currently get the latest version of PSE 18 you can download from the Windows store for $70 for the next 28 days.
You do need to be on Windows 10 though.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/adobe-photoshop-elements-2018/9pnh63vfkmv5

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

$10.00 a month equals $120.00 a year (I was a math major), year after year after year. Elements for still images can be found for $70 or so and you own it. I usually skip 2 editions (9 to 12 to 15 etc). Being intended for the consumer, Elements has features consumers like, but pro's would never use. Keep in mind that few people have much experience with more than one program, and will always recommend the one they use personally. Read professional reviews.

Bill_de Loc: US

If your aim is to tweak your images, not transform them into something else, Photoshop Elements will be more than enough. If your intent is to only use your photograph as a starting point in the goal of becoming a graphic artist, Photoshop may be a better choice.

If you start with elements you pay once and use it for years. With Photoshop you pay for as long as you want to use it. When you stop paying it no longer works as an editor, so you then need to buy something else.

Get what is best for your situation. Many folks are paying every month for features they either never use or don't even know exist. They are happy knowing they have the best.

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camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Adobe Photoshop Elements should be enough for your editing needs. I believe for little money they sell more features to add to the program improving its capabilities. Cannot discuss more of it because I do not use this software.

Bill_de Loc: US

It's a third party supplier that adds the features. Actually they don't add, but unlock features that are already there but blocked by Adobe. It's called Elements+ and sells for $12. I learned about it here a short time ago and consider it $12 well spent.

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markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Many programs are available. I suggest you take advantage of Adobe's free 30 days trial offer and give them a whirl. There is a learning curve, but tons of online help - youtube,
tutorials, ... http://www.adobe.com/downloads.html
Mark

Bob Boner

My understanding is that PSE works in 8-bit rather than 16-bit. Not something I would be interested in.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I upgraded from Elements 11 to Elements 14 and like both of them. They suite my needs and I'm no aficionado by any means. The Editor has Quick, Guided, and Expert modes with an easy learning curve. Lots of free YouTube stuff, some of it pretty good. I think you can get it to do HDR when you learn your way around in layers but there are dedicated HDR programs out three that should be much simpler to use.

Bill_de Loc: US

Raw adjustment are 16 - bit, after that most has to be done in 8

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cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For me, you can't beat Lr CC for ten bucks a month! Best of luck.