Photoshop 6, 7 CS2, CS3 - whats the difference ?

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stevewestern

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So what is the difference between them all - why would you spend hundreds of pounds on upgrading..?
Can anyone tell me, as a very basic user of any sort of processing software why I should even think of getting something better than Elements 6 ?
 
ok, from what i can tell, cs3 is the latest version of the program, and the most common from what i have seen. i know you have kids that i assume go to school, you can get this for a seriously reduced price as the student and techer version(look on there website). it doesnt have to be a photography course they are doing to have it.

cs2 is the older version of cs3, which some updates arent available for. (one or two of the new cameras wont be available)

elements 6 & 7 are a stripped down version, with the core items untouched as far as i am aware. it doesnt have all the power of cs3 but most of the basics for a cheaper price.

there is also Corel Paint Shop Pro, bout the same price as elements, works well, i think i saw Jo and CT use it, but not sure. basicly works the same, but different if it makes sense.
 
While the kids do go to school, they do so in Spain, and the eldest is 9, so I doubt they'll qualify, but I'll take a look fletch !
I had sort of worked out the order, but am more curious as to what the newer ones can do in terms of how it will affect a basic user like me. If Elements 6 does most of what CS2 or 3 do, then what makes the upgrades worth so much money ?
 
How about price! and they get slower and slower as more facilities are added.
shadow/hiligh is a new addition at cs2 + some more - and then there is the whole RAW world if you get into that.
I'm still more than happy with PS7 and use it in preference to cs2!
 
Cs2 and Cs3 are very similar (although the interface has changed) Cs3 has some new features but most photographers won't use the extra features very often, except the black and white options (excelent).
If I had Cs2 and had to pay the upgrade personally I wouldn't bother, I'd wait for Cs4 (not far away) Elements is a slimmed down version, in some ways better for photographers as the full versions aimed at pros' and graphic designers, elements lacks some things that are usefull like layer masks though.
If 6 does what you need I wouldn't worry about upgrading, if your at the stage where 6 is limiting what you can do then maybe it's time to start saving. Wayne
 
So what does CS3 do for black and white that makes it so good ?
What about photoshop 6, rather than Elements 6 ?
I can't afford to but CS3, but have been offered photoshop 6 - is it worth trying, or is there little difference over my Elements 6 ?
I don't need more complicated, but I often feel I ought to try to learn something about processing.
Why do so many here seem to have CS3 when it costs so much - have they all been able to take advantage of student discounts or do they use the facilities that it has over Elements 6 or even photoshop 6 ?
 
Cs3 has a great B+W palette offering easy and quick ajustment of your black and white shots, it will also save your own presets if you have a setting you like.
Photoshop 6 (the full version) is very old now and not supported at all, theres no raw support. Although it will do most of what the later versions will do (in a roundabout way sometimes) Personally I'd rather a new version of elements than an old version 6.0.
You can download a trial version of Cs3 from Adobes site, why not give it a try and see if you can work with it first, before parting with your hard earned cash.
If cash is tight check out Gimp, it's freeware and supposed to be something similar to photoshop, although I haven't tried it, it does had a pretty good reputation, one Pro tog I know used it for the first two years of his wedding business with no problems.
Theres also Paint shop pro for around the same price as elements you get something pretty compatable to the full version of photoshop. Wayne
 
I got Elements 6 a little while ago, and it does me. :thumbs:
I did buy a book though, to help get started with it.
 
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