Can I be a Professional and NOT have CS4?

[allyanderson]

At this point in my photographic "career" I can't afford to buy Photoshop CS4. I'd love to though. Can I make do with Elements in terms of editing? I need to get something....

(my career consists of a few family portrait sessions for family and friends)

[jgomez65]

Photoshop is just a tool that enhances you talent, but it doesn't replace it.

If you are a good photographer, the program you use to edit your pictures will make very little difference.

This said, I know several people who use Gimp, the free alternative to Photoshop and they make wonders with it. As a matter of fact after using Gimp, many people would not swtich to PS even when they can afford it.

If you haven't done so, try Gimp. You can downlad it here: GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

They have plenty of tutorials and plug ins for the program..

[digirebelva]

Elements will also run pretty much all of the 3rd party plugins out there as well if you are looking to add to it. For most, elements can meet their needs, if you need more later you can upgrade and not have to relearn another program since at least with version 8 they have tried to make the 2 programs look and act (minus some editing features) the same.

Give Gimp a try as well...

[vsa]

I know a lot of people who never ever never never would use Gimp after trying it. But maybe it's for you. It's free after all.

Try Lightroom too since it's a stripped down version of Photoshop aimed at photographers.

It all comes down to what you need to do with it. I'm not a professional by far but I would think that customers don't care what software you use as long as your work is excellent.

[FoG]

Originally Posted by allyanderson

At this point in my photographic "career" I can't afford to buy Photoshop CS4. I'd love to though. Can I make do with Elements in terms of editing? I need to get something....

(my career consists of a few family portrait sessions for family and friends)

SImply put YES YES YES !!! too many people think Photoshop is the be all and end all ... there are progs out now that are just as good and easier to use they may run slightly slower but have just as much ability

[MattG]

Originally Posted by vsa

...Try Lightroom too since it's a stripped down version of Photoshop aimed at photographers.

I think technically Lightroom is a different (and complimentary) product to Photoshop - specifically designed to handle batches of images and the associated workflows more associated with cataloging. Yes, there is photo editing in Lightroom, however Lightroom has an ability to 'send' images outside for more specific work (in JPG and TIFF formats if I remember correctly) in applications such as Photoshop, GIMP, etc. Lightroom also features an outstanding print module, including 'printing' to JPG for templates created.

[dcclark]

As others have said -- give Gimp a try. The main thing it's lacking (from my point of view) is adjustment layers -- but it has layers as usual, and almost everything else you could want.

[ggilkey]

I have been photographing for many years - but only began advertising for clients this past Spring. I use PSElements. I have and frequently use several actions - some purchased - but most are free. I love using Elements! Right now - it does everything I want it to do.
I will also say that - I think PP can enhance a good photo - but it is the skill of the photogrpaher - lighting, composition, POV, subject, etc....that makes a GREAT picture!

[bethard728]

Originally Posted by dcclark

As others have said -- give Gimp a try. The main thing it's lacking (from my point of view) is adjustment layers -- but it has layers as usual, and almost everything else you could want.

What are adjustment layers? I'm trying to learn Gimp right now. It's the first program I've used with any layers at all.

[candleman]

Elements works for me... but i'll get CS3 when i can afford it.

lets se.. 85mm f/1.8 or 28-70f/2.8 ....................or CS3

its going to be a while.