Photoshop ???

[bradzo66]

Ok I'm about ready to take the plunge and buy Photoshop , I have no real knowledge of it, which is the latest or where I should look at buying it , any tips or suggestions ?? Cheers .

[AGoldenTouchPhotography]

I am sure there are better places to get it, but I purchased mine on Amazon ( I had a sizable gift card at the time).
As far as user friendliness if you have used Gimp you have an idea of what its like.
I love youtube as a resource for tutorials when I want to learn how to do something, as well as this forum.
I had Paint Shop Pro X prior that I loved, so I am still learning PS everyday but I am enjoying it so far.
Kate

[bradzo66]

Thanks Kate, I have been using Gimp to PP HDR images . I also used you tube when I bought the 40D in Jan and found it quick and very useful so will probably do the same with this , which photoshop are you using ?

[waffles]

I'm still using 7.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by bradzo66

Ok I'm about ready to take the plunge and buy Photoshop , I have no real knowledge of it, which is the latest or where I should look at buying it , any tips or suggestions ??

Hmm. If you don't have any real knowledge of Photoshop, you might want to get some to decide if you really want it or need it.

Photoshop is a very powerful piece of software, but it is expensive and complicated. In addition, you'll find yourself having to pay to upgrade it regularly. If it's what you need, then you need it (my wife does, for her graphic design business). But it sounds like you don't know if it's what you need.

These days, photographer-focused tools such as Adobe Lightroom or (for Mac) Apple Aperture are overtaking Photoshop as the premiere tools for the photographer. They add a number of tools that photographers need, and leave out the complications that graphic designers need but photographers don't. They're considerably less expensive and a lot easier to use.

Personally, I don't use any of them so I don't have a horse in this race. But as a photographer, I would think long and hard before getting on the Photoshop train.

[fletch]

Originally Posted by bradzo66

Ok I'm about ready to take the plunge and buy Photoshop , I have no real knowledge of it, which is the latest or where I should look at buying it , any tips or suggestions ?? Cheers .

How do you know you need it then? Its a big purchase to just splash out on becuase you think you should have it. Download the trial version from Adobe's website before you spend any money. Its free and you will have 30 days to asses whether you need it or not.

I would sugest using the trial version as much as you can during that time. Then once the trial is over take a break. Go back to the Gimp or try downloading trials of cheaper software such as Lightroom or Photoshop Elements. If you don't find yourself missing things the full photoshop could do then you have just saved yourself $800. If you do decide to get full photoshop you can do it in the knowledge it was the correct decision.

The latest version is CS4.

[private]

I bought CS3 extened for very little, I think it was like $150 or something like that. I did get it on ebay. I chose a vendor with 99% positive feed back and was on the east coast. And I have had no problems what so ever - it was brand new and not an upgrade I did not bid - it was buy it now. I just looked for you and I see nothing close to that right now, but I would keep an eye on ebay...

[OsmosisStudios]

I have the CS4 Web suite, which includes flash, dreamweaver, illustrator, photoshop, and more. Cost a fortune, but it's all school related.

[Saralonde]

I have CS3 and I love it, but I'm sure I don't use it to it's full potential. I have also used Elements (ok, but far from my favorite), Paint Shop Pro X2 (great inexpensive editing program, but little online help), Picasa (still use it for image orgainizing and simple editing) and tried Gimp (I was not ready for it and felt confused).

As fletch suggested, you might want to download a trial version. I think you can use it for 30 days which will give you an idea if you really want to spend the money.

[dcclark]

I highly recommend trying and perhaps getting used to Gimp. It can be a bit intimidating, but so can Photoshop -- and Gimp is free. I use it all the time. I'm getting a new computer soon, and I considered buying Photoshop at the same time -- but I like Gimp so much (and it does everything I want) that I'm just sticking with the free software.