Photoshop?

[Jan100]

I would like to know witch program is the best for fixing photos? I have got Photoshop 7.0 and Photoshop elements 2.0, they both look very similar and has got the same layout but I find it a bit easier to work with the elements 2.0. Is there different reasons for each program or can I use either one?

[Darren]

Hi Jannie. You can use either one, but there is no doubt 7.0 (and now CS) is the far more powerful version. I believe one of the big differences is that with 7.0, you can work in layers, which is hugely advantageous in readjusting changes you made much earlier in your processing. I could be wrong, but I think Elements doesn't use layers. There are also quite a few plug ins that you you can use for 7.0 that might not be useful in elements. Plug ins can include almost anything you can imagine; color effects, black and white conversions, arty effects. etc, etc. etc. Probably Elements is more easily understood, as it doesn't allow for all the options of the full version.

All this being said, I am sure both programs offer great enough flexibility to satisfy even quite talented amateurs. However, if you already have 7.0, I would recommend learning that. Why not use the best, even if you only use a tiny portion of what it offers?

I use 7.0 myself and to be honest the vast majority of it goes way over my head. It is kind of comforting however to know that I will likely never outgrow its capabilities.

Hope this makes sense in some way, it is late here and I should have been in bed an hour ago.

[cdewet]

Jannie
Nog 'n jong frikaner in die koue klein eilandjie?
PS is the big daddy, elements the affordable one.
The most important feature is that elements does not allow you to fade tool applications, PS does. Get Photo Digital or one of those magazines, there are many in HW Smith, and start reading. They have mega info on PS each month. Forget elements, I have two sets curtesey f my scanner, but I use PS. Still trying, but learning.
Groetnis
Callie

[BobTrips]

I wouldn't suggest forgetting Elements for those who are looking for an editing program and who don't have deep pockets (or are not willing to steal a copy). Elements is just fine for the vast majority of what one needs to do with photographs.

PS - the full version - has a lot of graphics tools that aren't really used for photography.

[sengir]

Photoshop elements doesn't have curves - very useful tool for professional graphics.
It doesn's support CMYK also, that is color space used in professional printing.
That
It has though layers, unsharp masks and so on, and has some more automatic tools (like fill-in flash) that are useful for amateurs.
That means - it's a version of Photoshop stripped of tools not so important for beginners but essential in professional photo editing, and with some automation extras added (all effects achievable with those extras is obtainable in full Photoshop, but in more complicated way)
To summarize, you can use Photoshop Elements without any problem, it's cheaper and easier, and if you don't feel the limitations of it don't care about them :)