PP Software?

[private]

So, I earned enough to buy a computer - now I need some software. Which do you use and why do you love it? Right now I use Elements and I like it except the issue with the Channel Mixer - cannot really do that - except in GIMP.

So should I get lightroom? I want to spend the least amount possible. but the most bang for my buck.

But If I get full blown photoshop - aren't there more tutorials and stuff out there...?

[lputman]

I think with all the additional things that you do, storyboards and such, Photoshop will give you the best bang for your buck.

[Murtasma]

If your serious about post processing I would go with photoshop. If you just want to do basic things and keep it easy Lightroom.

[fletch]

Lightroom and elements (with GIMP on standby) could work if need Lightroom for its organistation and batch processing capabilities. Use Elements for most pixel level stuff, you'll be supprised what it can do if you give it a chance. If it really can't do it then go to GIMP but this should only be a very rare last resort as the other tools are so strong. Save the additional cost of CS4

[private]

I have PSE6 and I do love it - but I like the channel stuff that Photoshop has and truthfully, what I like best is that CS3 or 4 has more tutorials - so I can leans more...

Also, why do some people have Lightroom AND Photoshop - is there something that lightroom does that CS4 cannot? And is there a difference between the regular and student edition?

[Nicole]

Lightroom is way better for organising than Photoshop for me (I know Bridge is good, but Lightroom works really nicely... I wasn't totally convinced for a long time of the need for Lightroom). It also has some nice features that CS3 didn't have, but that CS4 does have, but I still prefer to work in Lightroom for some things anyway.

And as far as the difference between Regular / Student / Education versions of Photoshop, the Student version says "no commercial use" and the Education and Standard versions doesn't. Obviously for Student / Education you need a student ID.

[private]

OK - this may be a silly question, but why is the organization in LR so much better - I am assuming the tags (don't use) but what else can it be? I am sooooo confused.

[BabetteKD]

It's too bad you're not a student: I was able to get CS3 (which has 6 programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash) for the price of Photoshop through student discounts.

[private]

I know - my step daughter is a student in college so I may have to use her... I just need to shake of the case of the guilts...

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by private

OK - this may be a silly question, but why is the organization in LR so much better - I am assuming the tags (don't use) but what else can it be? I am sooooo confused.

No, I'm pretty useless at tagging my shots in general (and Bridge does let you tag too). The main difference between Lightroom and Bridge is that with Bridge you can basically only view one folder at a time and I find it more of a hassle to move through folders, especially when I have them on different drives. Although Bridge in CS4 does have smart collections and stuff like that (I can't remember seeing those in CS3, but that's just my memory at the moment).

What I like about Lightroom is that if I have pictures stored on external drive but I'm away from the drive or I just don't have it plugged in at the time, I can still see the previews, which is useful with a laptop. And I do find it easier to deal with photos in different locations with Lightroom.

Bridge is getting closer and closer to Lightroom though