Photoshop?

[Photographer557]

I am looking to purchase some photo editing software for my macintosh. I am in the process of switching over to a digital format and have, until now, done all processing of negatives at the lab. I would really like to be able to put watermarks or my name on the digital pictures. Does anyone have suggestions for what software to buy? I was looking at photoshop but there are a lot of different versions and I am not sure which versions have what features.

Thanks,
Greg

[samn]

There are many advantages to Photoshop, I do not mean to put it down in any way. I use it all the time. It has a wonderful set of features that give you many options in whatever you try to do in or to an image.
However, I also own Adobe Elements 4. For most of all my work it is as good as Photoshop. I find that I use it instead of Photoshop. It all depends on what you want to do with your software. If you want max options on image editing and do not mind the dollars, by all means buy P/S C/S2. If you want software that does the job in almost all situations, buy Elements 4 for a quarter of the price of CS2. Elements 4 has a good organizer and is rock solid. IMHO.

[Photographer557]

thank you for your input I was unaware of Adobe Elements 4. I will research that option.

[mivy00]

I use elements and photoshop..... Why ? because I like the elements album better than photoshop bridge...... I use photoshop cs2 because it is a little more powerful than elements. The biggest disadvantage is in elements there is no layer mask. ( which can be a big disadvantage if you know how to use it )
As far as which version
Anything above version 7 is probably good.
That leaves.
Version 7
Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS2

In CS or CS2 photoshop also added a liquify filter that can come in very handy.

If you need more info let me know thats my 2 cents

[Digital Prophet]

I am full blown CS2 user and I love it. And I would in fact be lost without my layer masks. But if you are just getting into digital imaging and will be learning I suggest you save your dollars and go for Elements. This isn't to say "you're too stoopid to learn you nut'tin new". It just means that if you aren't going to use all the bells and whistles then don't pay for them.

Now alot of people will tell you that Elements is too limited. But those people are most likely very experience PS verterans who use the more advanced features in PS. But a beginner won't use 75% of what's under the hood so I think it's very appropriate.

Prophet out.

[PeteQ]

Sorry, I have to say that although PSCS2 is expensive it's well worth the money, moreso if you are planning to do much professional level editing. Yes, Elements has it's place, but layer masks alone will make it worthwhile once you get the hang of those. Plus Smart Objects is fantastic if you do layout work.

Part of the answer to your question depends on what you need to do. If you start with Elements and end up buying PSCS2 in a few months you won't be saving anything. Here's a link to a comparison. Like it says, there are workarounds for a lot of the differences if you go that way. You can also look at educational discounts, etc. to help offest the cost.

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