Which Photoshop is best for editing photos?

(watersun) · (watersun) **Join Date: Jun 2009** 11-29-2009, 1:20 PM

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!

(lfrider92) · (lfrider92) **Join Date: Sep 2008** 11-30-2009, 9:27 AM

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...

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

(eubanks01) · (eubanks01) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 11-30-2009, 1:45 PM

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

(steezyshots) · (steezyshots) **Join Date: Feb 2008** 11-30-2009, 2:23 PM

CS4 is the best

(bigdad) · (bigdad) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 11-30-2009, 3:36 PM

Right back at ya..

Elements - $65
CS4 - $350

How much do you love your family member?

On a serious note. It's a question on how skilled and what your family member wants to do.

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.

(richd) · (richd) **Join Date: Oct 2003** 11-30-2009, 7:17 PM

What AP said! Upload

murrayair 12-01-2009, 10:58 AM

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

(watersun) · (watersun) **Join Date: Jun 2009** 12-01-2009, 11:18 AM

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

(lfrider92) · (lfrider92) **Join Date: Sep 2008** 12-01-2009, 12:28 PM

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

)
elements for sure though. it does a ton and is very user friendly.

(Message edited by lfrider92 on December 01, 2009)

(eubanks01) · (eubanks01) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 12-01-2009, 1:38 PM

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

(lfrider92) · (lfrider92) **Join Date: Sep 2008** 12-01-2009, 2:01 PM

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