I am not real familiar with Photoshop, but a family member wants it for xmas for editing photos. There are a few different photoshop software out there...which one is the best for the money for editing photos? Also, where is the best place to purchase it? Thanks for any help!

depends how much you want to spend. at home i have photoshop elements 7. and it gets the job done. in my photo class we have CS3 and cs3 is 100X better. but CS3 is also a few hundred dollars more... <BR> <BR>if you have the money. i recomend CS3 (i havnt used CS4) but if your looking to spend 100 or less. photoshop elements is pretty rad

I'm assuming Elements would be more than sufficient. What would he be doing in CS3/4 that he can't do in PSE?

CS4 is the best

Right back at ya.. <BR> <BR>Elements - $65 <BR>CS4 - $350 <BR> <BR>How much do you love your family member? <BR> <BR>On a serious note. It's a question on how skilled and what your family member wants to do. <BR> <BR>If he is completely inexperienced get the elements. It will be more than enough. If he has a really good understanding of PS and photography, he is going to want CS4 or maybe even lightroom.

What AP said!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87667/749486.gif" alt="Upload">

^^+2. Elements is all most people need, but make sure you know what he wants to use it for.

Thanks for the help. She is just starting to get into photography and editing, so I think Elements will be just fine.

if she is just starting. elements will be awesome. thats what i started with. and when i got to use CS3 i already knew what i was doing for the most part. ( i like to think so anyways <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>) <BR>elements for sure though. it does a ton and is very user friendly. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by lfrider92 on December 01, 2009)

So what are you guys doing in CS4 that isn't available with Elements?

i havnt used cs4. but i use cs3 quite a bit. and i dont know the difference between cs3 and cs4. but i like cs3 more then elements mainly because of the layout. cs3 has more buttons on the tool bar. and i think that the magic wand tool and functions like that work much better on Cs3 then elements. when using the magic wand tool in elements. most of the time i cant get it to select what i want. while in cs3 most of the time it does. and i said i have elements 7 at home, i was wrong. i have elements 6. just realized it while i was opening it to use it today