photoshop $$$

[landon9720]

a year after seriously getting into photography, i finally downloaded the photoshop trial. wow. so this is the tool i've been missing. i'm amazed how fixing the exposure, saturation, and running various filters help me to achieve the vision i had when i took the picture. i'm not sure i can ever go back to being happy with my "undeveloped" pictures.

now comes the sticker shock. $700. wow. that's a lot for software. obviously this is priced for companies, not individuals. but maybe i should bite the bullet and get it?

my wife is in college. i was thinking of having her get me an educational copy, but i worry about what limitations i may encounter in the future, for example, when it comes time to upgrade.

anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Mad Aussie]

Photoshop is indeed great. But look into Lightroom 2 (or 3 if it's out) as well. At a recent seminar my wife went to on Adobe products they admitted that they are going to develop Lightroom as the premium software from Adobe for photographers. It already does some things better than PS.

However, for photo manipulation of any kind (over and above the usual colour, level type adjustments) then PS is still king.

Far as I know the education copy doesn't limit you in any way for future upgrades.

[Greg_Nuspel]

With the educational copy you do not get upgrade pricing to the new version like CS3 to CS4. If you wanted to upgrade you would need to buy the new version.

[tomorrowstreasures]

if you are not wanting to spend money right now, look into gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) - it is free and a wonderful, wonderful tool!!!

[landon9720]

thanks all.. so as far as you know, if i get the educational license, will i be able to upgrade it to CS5 when someday that comes out?

[zenon5940]

I just bought CS4 from a guy advertising it on www(dot)lespac(dot)com for $200. Original fExtended version of Photoshop CS4. It came in a sealed box with original CD and serial number. I installed it and registered it with ADOBE all OK.
His ad is still up there, so I would think he has more copies....

[zenon5940]

Sorry... forgot to mention the ad number which is 9075565

Clement

[kat]

I use Lightroom and then if need be I go into Photoshop. Now that I've used them both..I couldn't go without.

[Barefoot]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned PSE7. It does most of what a photographer would need from its bigger brother and comes in at less than $100. Savvy shoppers can find it closer to $50. It integrates nicely with ACR and can make use of many of the actions built for Photoshop. Nik Software’s Color Efex and Silver Efex install themselves within the program as filters and although they are pricey additions they make PSE7 a super tool.

I have both CS3 and PSE7 and find myself opening the little brother more often than not.

[JAS_Photo]

I use Lightroom and Photoshops Elements. They are a nice combination. But if I had to pick just one, I would go with the Lightroom first. Basic editd are quick and easy.

[AntZ]

I use lightroom almost exclusively. I use the Gimp for about 1 in 20 photos that I process. There are heaps of free add-ons for both.

[landon9720]

another option not mentioned is ebay.. they tend to go for less than $200. here's one from a reputable seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTOSHOP-CS4-EXTENDED-WINDOWS-XP-VISTA-FULL-VERSION_W0QQitemZ300344997147QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS _Software?hash=item45edf4f51b&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14

[Bambi]

Photoshop is indeed great. But look into Lightroom 2 (or 3 if it's out) as well. At a recent seminar my wife went to on Adobe products they admitted that they are going to develop Lightroom as the premium software from Adobe for photographers. It already does some things better than PS.

However, for photo manipulation of any kind (over and above the usual colour, level type adjustments) then PS is still king.

Far as I know the education copy doesn't limit you in any way for future upgrades.

yikes, how to decide: PS, PSE, lightroom?

[Greg_Nuspel]

And if you shoot Nikon there is Capture NX, I saw a seminar on it and wow, now I wish I would have spent my money there instead of Lightroom.

[Mad Aussie]

yikes, how to decide: PS, PSE, lightroom?
Right now for me it's a combination of both PS and LR.

[JAS_Photo]

I attended the seminar on the Wacom tablet with Craig's actions for Photoshop and that was cool as well.

But I am using LR and PSE with the topaz plug-ins. I have been trying out the Nik Silver Efex and Color Efex as well and they integrate very well with LR. They are quite expensive as well so I do not know if I will keep them or not.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I was told if you buy Capture NX the plugins for photoshop come with it and Capture NX is less than the plugins alone.

[Marko]

I use Pshop and bridge for now. I've been wanting to play with lightroom but haven't gotten around to it yet...