What is the best photoshop edition for me?

[nike_shoe]

I am a beginning amateur digital photographer and want to know what/where I can find the best photoshop to meet my needs for a decent price. I want to be able to enhance my images and do some creative digital alterations. Any advice?

[frleal70]

I think it really depends on how deep into 'digital alterations' you want to go, and what you mean by a decent price. Photoshop element will get you started, and at the same time give you the basic understanding of how photoshop works. But, if you want to do some of the more advanced digital manipulation, it might be better to go with CS or greater. I think I saw CS2 going for a little over $100 on ebay.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[Didache]

Bottom line is that PS Elements is likely to have everything you need, and it's a lot cheaper and easier to use than CS etc. Elements was designed for amateur photographers and includes 95% of what you will need. The higher end programs are mostly designed for specialists and will have an awful lot of features you (or me!) will ever need. Sure, if you can get CS cheap on Ebay then go for it - but otherwise I would recommend Elements highly, especially as you are a beginner.

Mike

[mjs1973]

I too would suggest Elements.

You could also try Photoshop Express. It's a free online Photoshop tool. I have never used it so I can't comment on it, but it could be something to look into.

https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html

[freygr]

You can always download GIMP for windows. It's a free ware Linux program that is as powerful as photoshop CS but with a steep learning curve. Then for a like more than Elements and less than CS there is PaintShop.

But I have to agree with the others that Elements would be in most cases more than most photographers will ever need. I use Thumbs Plus, and it has some built in photo editing, and all but 2% of the photo editing I do is inside Thumbs Plus the other 2% is in PhotoShop 5LE (getting long in the tooth, predecessor of Elements)

[Medley]

I generally go against the grain of most advice on this issue, largely because I came to Photoshop by a wholly different experience than most. I bought a used computer that came with a full (albeit outdated) version of Photoshop already installed.

So let me draw a bit of a parallel here. Say you want to be an auto mechanic. Would you rather learn by using one toolbox with a set of basic tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver, etc.) or would you prefer to learn how to do it using all of the equipment available to in a mechanic's garage?

Either way, there's no wrong answer to that question- it's simply a matter of personal preference. IF you're sure that's what you want and IF you are willing to spend a little more. then the second option becomes available.

As to the lowest price, if you or someone you know is a student or has teaching credentials, then I would advise looking into the education version of Photoshop. CS3 extended retails for $649.00 in the US, but the education version retails for around $275.00. So what's the difference? None, except that you are not allowed to use the education version commercially for profit, and you cannot upgrade. Still, with the money you save, you can afford to buy the next education version, if so desired.........

Food for thought,

- Joe U.

[mjs1973]

Thanks for mentioning the educational version of PS. Joe. I got CS3 Extended for $200 with my wife's student ID. Also, I was able to upgrade my student version of CS to CS2 when it came out.

[Medley]

Thanks for mentioning the educational version of PS. Joe. I got CS3 Extended for $200 with my wife's student ID. Also, I was able to upgrade my student version of CS to CS2 when it came out.

Interesting. I had always heard that education versions were not upgradable. Never tried it though. Good to know.

- Joe U.