Photoshop vs Lightroom vs Elements

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Smiddy

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Kaiser Soze
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Ok folks, so I'm new here and to digital photography in general. I've enrolled on a digital photography OU course which meant that a brand spanking new copy of Elements 8 was posted through my letterbox to play with....which was nice.

I've seen a lot of differing opinion on the relative image processing packages out there and I really don't know what Photoshop CSxx has over Elements and I'm keen to light the blue touch paper and ignite that little debate again.

So what does Photoshop have over Elements and is it worth getting Lightroom if you've already got either of the other packages.....

I know you're going to say it depends what you want to do with it but my answer to that would be "show me what it can do and I'll let you know if I want it" alternatively, "which is cheapest - I'll have that one"

Thanks in advance...
Smiddy

p.s. The first TV Burp reference wins a Blankety Blank Chequebook and Pen :D
 
Elements will fulfil almost all of your needs whilst you are just starting.

Once you've used it for a while you'll know which extra features you need and be able to make a much more informed decision.
 
I use Lightroom 3 for 90% of my work - weddings and portraits. I use elements 9 for the other 10% which is mostly cleaning up white floors, cloaning etc.
 
if you want image cataloging with some photo manipilation then lightroom is for you, if you want much much more tweeking ability (probably more then youll ever use/need) then photoshop is for you.. which version will depend on your budget.
 
I use Lightroom 90% of the time for everyday use. Elements will do 99% of the rest, but it can be annoying when you need something that's in CS5 and not in elements. Having said that CS5 is lots harder to learn.
 
I use Lightroom a LOT for most of my work, almost 95% of my pictures, the other 5% is really just major corrections or specialist layering.

If you are still a Student, you can get a deal on LR and PS I think?

To give some examples, Lightroom detects when I insert my CF card into the Reader, automatically imports the RAW files, where I can easily apply some presets like sepia or BnW to the images.

Editing the images in LR is very simple too, the brush and gradient tools are very powerful, When it comes to exporting, with some presets established you can be ready for anything, full size TIFF's, special sized jpegs for uploading to Flickr, PSD files, and even files that are watermarked already.

LR for me just makes everything so much easier. The way it storees the files too and remind me to back up - that is useful :clap:

Rich
 
As an OU student you qualify for academic pricing. That means you can get Lightroom 3 for just £64 and CS5 for £187 - Link. Personally, I'd go for Lightroom with PS Elements.
 
Thanks for the input. Looks like I'll stick with Elements and look at Lightroom with my studie discount...

Cheers
Smiddy
 
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