Since I am primarily a travel/nature photog, I have little use for HDR ...I can hear the screams from here! I find NIK Viveza, especially, and its Efexs Pro does the job. I want natural looking photos that have been 'popped' . I can understand the use of HDR as a great tool for inside/outside, diverse lighting, etc. ,but I find it unnecessary for enhancing most of my pics. See attached...
Lions were on exhibit at Smithsonian from April til September 2011.

Snow Monkey in Japan


Thermal Pool in Yellowstone


Hunt Begins

Why do you have both? Uninstall CS4....when you download an upgrade, the whole program is replaced.
You need to trfr any CS4 plugins to CS5. Make sure all photos are in CS5 before you uninstall. Computer is working harder to run both versions. I have used PS since version 4 came out....CS5 is version 11!

If one has a 64 bit computer...just use 64 bit which is superior to 32 bit. Most all plugins are compatible with 64 bit.

I have to agree. DOF is very important. Set ISO 800 or higher...depending on camera. If Program does not give you sufficient SS...than set Shutter higher than what Program has given you if you do not like result.
New SLR cameras will not give you any 'grain' problems at ISO 800 and even higher and probably will handle your situation in Program without a problem. I always use
Image Stabilized lenses....big help.

Sorry.....it was book

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10: Learn by Video
video2brain
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I would suggest using one monitor and callibrating it.
Go online and google callibrators for monitors. There are many....try spyder3 (datacolor.com) to understand what they do. It is an instrument that you temporarily use on monitor.....website explains all. Some cheap ones are fairly useless....some have regular and pro models.
Spyder3Express is less than $100. Unless you are going to top of the line monitors, it will be very difficult to match 2 different monitors. You can callibrate each to print correctly, but they same photo will look somewhat different on each monitor.
I use one computer for all my photos (about 600GB right now) and the other computer for all other programs like Quicken, email, Word, etc.

I bought Spyder3 Elite and Spyder3 Print.....pricey, but I found it on sale.
This will callibrate monitor and match colors to printer.

Works great.....sometimes I find that I will make slight modification to exposure on lighter side, but prints are very reliable.
Epson 4800 pro printer. I make 16x20 prints just fine....
presuming you are producing large files with a camera like Canon 7D or 5D Mk II.

Amazon is selling PS Elements for 37% off right now.

You must calibrate screens. Spyder3 Elite (Datacolor.com) is what I use.
I have a 30" and a 19" screen. They are same company, but they cannot be calibrated to look exactly alike.

I use one screen for all printing and finishing....my smaller monitor is used only for Photoshop palletes, tools, etc. This leaves my big screen free for just the photo.

If you have 2 screens exaclty alike in make, size and age...you can calibrate the same.

Eleanore

If you could increase # of bracket shots, what would increase it to? under, over, 0 and what? It is impossible to change number of stops under, over automatically.
Why would you want to?

Even tho I am a senior, I was one of the first to switch to digital in local photo clubs in 2003. I took 35mm and canon 10 D to Africa. After viewing my shots upon return, I immediately gathered all 35mm cameras, lenses, etc. and sold everything to do with 35mm. My photos have improved dramatically ever since.
Jump in and you will love it....presuming you have a program like Lightroom or Photoshop for best results.

Hunt Begins

One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to enter contests...not will nilly, but local photo clubs or PSA...which is Photographic Society of America. They have contests for amateurs.
I travel quite a bit and make up shows to present to family and local churches, senior groups, etc.
I have quite a few pictures on flickr.....eleanore avery