Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Elements or CS3

  1. #1
    Maurice Allen
    Guest

    Default Elements or CS3

    I am needing some advise is PS Elements going to be enough or do I need to spring for Photoshop CS3?

  2. #2
    Jeroentje
    Guest

    Default

    I have for my self PS CS2 and i like it very much and there is almost no difference between that two so..
    perhaps you have there what

  3. #3
    Robert Amoruso
    Guest

    Default

    If you want to exercise the fullest control over your images, PSCS is needed so you have access to layers, masks and the curves adjustment to name a few.

    Now what I am reading about LR 2.0 sounds interesting but is it a PSCS replacement, I cannot comment.

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Munich, Germany
    Posts
    75
    Threads
    12
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Maurice,

    I had the same question about half a year ago - and the availability of this forum persuaded me to get CS. The problem is that Elements - which I have used a lot over the last years and still use for photo archiving / sorting- can do a lot, but it is crippled in certain areas that prevents you from following e.g. the helpful step-by-step instructions you can find in a place like here. Many functions are there only in simplified form, and some are there (even worse) under a different name with different controls that will prevent you from even noticing its the same. Many, like Robert mentioned, are missing altogether.

    I bought a CS, and have learned much more about photo editing than in all the years using Elements. So if you are seriously looking into this, I'd recommend to skip Elements. Easily said, as I was eligible for a student license...

    Hope that helps,
    Christof

  5. #5
    Sid Overbey
    Guest

    Default

    Maurice, I think it really depends on how much you want to manipulate your photos. If you plan to do lots of masking to alter different layers then CS3 is probably a better answer. However, I find that using Lightroom 2 has caused me to use PS a lot less, and when I do, I feel that Elements 6.0 is adequate.

    Try the LR 2 demo and see if you like what it alone can do.

    Sid

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand.
    Posts
    1,099
    Threads
    166
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Although I think it is mostly a matter of affordability here is a suggestion.
    I have Photoshop Elements 5 but have recently bought a book " Teach Yourself Visually Adobe Photoshop Elements 6" which is the most user friendly Elements book I've seen.
    Presumably there will be another in the series on CS3.
    Maybe you could get both on loan from your local library and compare the various functions.
    Cheers: Ian Mc

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Markus Jais's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Bavaria (Germany)
    Posts
    1,677
    Threads
    82
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I agree with the Sid about LR2. Since I started using it, I use PS CS3 a lot less. But I still don't want to miss it because sometimes I need the power of CS3.
    But for 90% off all my tasks, LR2 is enough. I think this is an awesome piece of software.

    Markus

  8. #8
    Maurice Allen
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks for everyone's help I am going to download the trial of LR 2.0 and see how that works for now. Thanks again, Maurice

  9. #9
    Alfred Forns
    Guest

    Default

    Maurice You would do well with LR but still will need an editing program.

    The new version of LR does allow for local changes and is closer to being an all around program.

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    2,940
    Threads
    288
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Amoruso View Post
    If you want to exercise the fullest control over your images, PSCS is needed so you have access to layers, masks and the curves adjustment to name a few.

    Now what I am reading about LR 2.0 sounds interesting but is it a PSCS replacement, I cannot comment.
    Actually, many have already found out/developed work-around ways to use layers, masks in Elements. I used to use Elements 5 and now using CS3 (bought from Adobe with a 50% discount). Elements may not have curves but have its own way to do what curves in CS does (using sliders as in ACR). For anyone who uses Elements or want to see what Elements can do for you, take a look at this website:

    http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/

    As for LR 2, I don't think it can and will replace CS3. I don't think they are the same animal.

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I vote for Lightroom + CS3. Both are indispensable IMO. Elements is just OK.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  12. #12
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    178
    Threads
    22
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    There is nothing more powerful than Photoshop full version for image manipulation. It also presents possibly the steepest learning curve of all such applications. By most accounts I'd qualify as an image processing expert - having worked with Photoshop every day since the "wee versions" - and I am still learning how to combine things and get even better results.

    One significant improvement in CS3 over CS2 that I love is that the Photomerge (stitching) function is absolutely top notch in CS3!

    -Noel

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics