Time to Upgrade PS?

[Loupey]

Got laughed at yesterday

While talking shop with my helpful local photo friends yesterday, the topic of PhotoShop techniques came up. Upon seeing my puzzled expression, I was asked which version I use to which I humbly replied, "five"

I guess Adobe went up to version 8 or 9 before they went CS and CS2. "They" seem to believe that going to V.8 would be a very helpful move whereas going to CS2 might be over-the-top. "They" tell me that the tools available in 8/9 and up will change my life. I have my doubts as I do generally mild post processing (mostly nature). However, I have been doing more and more hired stuff so I suppose the additional tools would be worth it in the end.

My question is whether I would be able to find the CS version (let alone versions 8 or 9) in stores anymore.

Does anyone have experience using some of the older versions from which to draw some comparisons to the new generation?

Just checked my About Photoshop screen - it is dated 1998 - has it been that long!

[Asylum Steve]

Hi Loupey,

Photoshop snobs. Don't you just HATE THEM?

Hey, it's important with my work to always have the latest version of PS, but I have never tried to make someone else feel inadequate because they haven't done the same.

Ok, bottom line. PS CS is version 8.0. PS CS2 is version 9.0. IMHO, if you're serious about digital imaging, even if it's just the basic editing tools and capabilities, the minimum version of ps you should have is 7.0. Sure, you can get by with less, but that was generally considered a significant upgrade.

Don't get me wrong. CS and CS2 have some dynamite features and very powerful pro tools (if nothing else, the support of up to 32 bit images and the Adobe Bridge file browser with advanced RAW converter), but the real benefits (and neccessities) of these upgrades are for people who make their living from photography...

Either that or dweebs who like to hang out at camera stores and brag...

[Loupey]

Thanks, Steve

I think the most helpful tool for me would be direct RAW processing. Currently, I have to use Canon's FileViewer utility to convert RAW images into a temporary file then use PS 5.0 to process them. Can 7.0 perform that from within PS? Or, as you mentioned, is the advanced RAW converter only available with CS and CS2?

Is the Rubber Stamp tool in version 5.0 the same as what everyone refers to as "cloning"? If not, how different are these tools?

Thanks again for your help.

[Asylum Steve]

PS's RAW conveter was not a standard feature until CS. Before that, it was available as a seperate plug-in for version 7.0, but I don't it is any longer (it's not listed as a download on Adobe's website). So yeah, with version 7.0 (unless you could find a legitimate copy of the plug-in somewhere), you'd be forced to use your camera's RAW utility.

And yes, the Clone Stamp Tool is the same as the older Rubber Stamp Tool, only improved...

[mjs1973]

Hey Loupey,

I have used PS 5 for years. I still have it on my desktop PC and use it for some minor stuff. I upgraded to CS2 last year and I love it. The RAW converter and the Bridge are worth the upgrade IMO.

[Peter_AUS]

PS CS2 is much more stable as well and uses memory better as well, for $149 US upgrade is it really worth not upgrading.

[Stillsky]

I'm a Photoshop junkie myself.

Photoshop 5 isn't bad. But if you're curious as to whether or not you should upgrade, you should ask yourself "Does Photoshop 5 do what I need it to do?" "Can I create stunning images with Photoshop 5?" "If so, is the process long and tedious, or do I have it to the point where I can manage good workflow?"

If you can answer yes to the first two questions, and have a good workflow, then I would say stick with 5. The photographer in my area that does all the school photos still uses Photoshop 2 (which didn't even support layers) and he's content with it. It's really all about preference and comfort.

[Loupey]

Thanks, guys, for your input. I just finished installing CS2. Panicked a little there as it kicked me out saying I needed version 5.5 or above. But, after a couple minutes with Adobe, they were able to unlock it using my original version 3.0 registration information

I can say right off the bat that CS2 opens my old, large TIFF files in a fraction of the time it used to take. The RAW converter seems very straightforward and powerful.

Stillsky, you did raise a good point and I did consider it before purchasing CS2. And although I considered the final images using version 5.0 to be very good, I felt that many of the steps were repetitive and inefficient. However, without ever using CS2 to compare that feeling, I couldn't prove it nor could I see any other benefits without buying it.

I should be proficient with CS2 by the time CS7 comes out

Thanks again, everybody.

[Loupey]

HOLY CRAP!

I should have done this months ago! Just finished processing a bunch of RAW files that I shot this afternoon. Done in record time (for me, at least). Meeting with the client was for next week, but I will try to move it to tomorrow (better to under-promise and over-deliver ).

I LOVE the RAW processor, the shadow/highlight adjustment, and the warp feature (to remove the lens distortion). Haven't been this excited about a software before!

Thanks again, everyone!

[Loupey]

Steve, I read your recent post elsewhere about the Merge to HDR feature so I investigated that. Man is that cool!

I watched the tutorial CD that came with it. I had no idea it was that powerful and flexible. The Lens Correction, the Smart Objects - all so powerful.

I was just about to buy some wide angle primes because of the distortion of the 17-40mm zoom. Now, I'm thinking that I will just correct for it in PS.


New Problem: I'm now going back to re-post process images that I thought were finished. I can see this problem getting out of hand - constantly going back to apply new features or enhancements. How do you handle that? Just forget about the old stuff and apply new knowledge going forward?

Anyway, having fun.

[Peter_AUS]

Loupey, just do the ones that really matter and move on. By the way, I think the number for Photoshop CS2 is Version 9.