Abode Photoshop vs. Photoshop Elements

[Monazwx]

I need to know which is better - Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements for my purpose, which is to make banner ads and ad prints (for advertisements on websites). Has anyone worked with both? Which would be more suited for what I want to do? Thanks in advance.

 

[SexylittleJJ]

are you doing this for yourself or professionally.

Photoshop is superior in every way.

Elements could probably do what you want tho...It is just has less tools and geared towards the average user.

Plus there is the $200 price difference

 

[Black_pantyhose]

I work as a graphic designer and image retoucher so have worked professionally with both.

Photoshop is by far the better option for your needs. Initially, Elements would be easier to use than Photoshop but as you mastered it would become restricting on your creativity.

EDIT: Some handy tutorials at http://www.good-tutorials.com/

 

[airblade]

I need to know which is better - Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements for my purpose, which is to make banner ads and ad prints (for advertisements on websites). Has anyone worked with both? Which would be more suited for what I want to do? Thanks in advance.

I have experience with both, and to sum it up "Elements" is basically a lite version of photoshop, is not as powerful, less features, but its easier to learn than photoshop.

If you don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars in software i can suggest photoshop alternatives which are popular and free:

GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/
(this is probably your best option, just as good as photoshop, and they have a great community which will be to help you out if you need problems)

Paint.Net
http://www.getpaint.net/index.html
(another good one which still gets supported constatly, a little easier to learn than gimp, but less features)


I hope this helps this helps a lot, and I wish you good luck!, let me know if you need an advice or more help

 

[ms_no_one]

The above posters definitely have the right idea.

GIMP is an excellent program, so I'll second that recommendation. I didn't find it too difficult to learn, although I had a little trouble managing layers at first.

Photoshop is great, but if cost is a consideration going to Elements doesn't seem like the best tool for a professional. For basic cropping and photo editing it's fine, but I always found it useless for anything more detailed.

 

[NHPictureguy]

I work as a graphic designer and image retoucher so have worked professionally with both. Photoshop is by far the better option for your needs. Initially, Elements would be easier to use than Photoshop but as you mastered it would become restricting on your creativity.

Besides having an awesome ID name, BP is dead-on. Photoshop is far more versatile and there's a lot under the hood but if you're not going to utilize it, the program is overkill and Elements will do you just fine.

 

[Monazwx]

are you doing this for yourself or professionally.

Plus there is the $200 price difference

I want to start a website, which needs banner ads and a few print ads every couple of months. I don't need to edit photos as such, rather create images from scratch in terms of background, text and things, so I'll probably be needing that advanced stuff. I contacted a few firms and they're charging me $250 a pop, so the $200 diff may be high, but since it's money that I wouldn't have to spend again, I'm okay with that.

EDIT: Some handy tutorials at http://www.good-tutorials.com/

Thanks for the tutorials! I'll be needing them. *nods*

 

[Monazwx]

I have experience with both, and to sum it up "Elements" is basically a lite version of photoshop, is not as powerful, less future, but its easier to learn than photoshop.

If you don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars in software i can suggest photoshop alternatives which are popular and free:

GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/
(this is probably your best option, just as good as photoshop, and they have a great community which will be to help you out if you need problems)

Paint.Net
http://www.getpaint.net/index.html
(another good one which still gets supported constatly, a little easier to learn than gimp, but less features)


I hope this helps this helps a lot, and I wish you good luck!, let me know if you need an advice or more help

I'll look into these before I purchase anything. Thanks for the recommendations!

The above posters definitely have the right idea.

GIMP is an excellent program, so I'll second that recommendation. I didn't find it too difficult to learn, although I had a little trouble managing layers at first.

Photoshop is great, but if cost is a consideration going to Elements doesn't seem like the best tool for a professional. For basic cropping and photo editing it's fine, but I always found it useless for anything more detailed.

As long as I only have to learn it once, I'm fine with any program

Besides having an awesome ID name, BP is dead-on. Photoshop is far more versatile and there's a lot under the hood but if you're not going to utilize it, the program is overkill and Elements will do you just fine.

Isn't that screen name catchy? I'm going to go through everything mentioned in the thread and let you guys know how I fare. Thanks again.

 

[NHPictureguy]

Isn't that screen name catchy? I'm going to go through everything mentioned in the thread and let you guys know how I fare. Thanks again.

Youtube is a GREAT resource for learning a program or just about anything else you want. A lot of people use it for mindless "entertainment" but I go there to further my knowledge on various subjects and it has been invaluable. I highly suggest looking for Gavin Hoey's various tutorials on what you can do in Photoshop.

As for Black Pantyhose's screen name, you are quite correct. As a lover of women in pantyhose, it always catches my attention.

 

[Black_pantyhose]

As for Black Pantyhose's screen name, you are quite correct. As a lover of women in pantyhose, it always catches my attention.

Sir likes it too

I was having a think about this over the weekend also. If you are intending to create imagery for web and print it may be worthwhile to invest in Adobe Creative Suite 1 Design Standard or Creative Suite 2 Design Standard, if you can get your hands on them. The suite is up to version 4 now but the design standard suites contain previous versions of Photoshop, Illustrator (vector graphic/text program, very useful for scaleable imagery and web graphic production) and InDesign (page layout program, used professionally for design for print, press etc).

You could probably get either CS1 or CS2 for less than the latest version of Photoshop. The only problem may be getting your hands on it since Adobe have recalled a lot of their old software. But it should still be available on Amazon.

 

[XXXlindanXXX]

I work as a graphic designer, so I used Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign on a daily basis both at work and at home. There are many times I use a combination of them on one project. I'm not sure if Elements allows this, but I know with Photoshop I've downloaded a lot of free fonts and brushes to expand the creative possibilities. If you're doing banners you could always invest in flash and fireworks for more effects.

 

[JollyMeatMan]

I have worked with both photoshop as well as elements, they are both very similar. The biggest thing are the price photoshop is in the hundreds and elements is about 70 bucks, elements is also much more user friendly. I would rather use elements.

 

[badmatt]

I have worked with both photoshop as well as elements, they are both very similar. The biggest thing are the price photoshop is in the hundreds and elements is about 70 bucks, elements is also much more user friendly. I would rather use elements.

Don't take this the wrong way but did you really say the biggest difference between Elements and Photoshop is the price?

Has nothing to do with the vast customizability of Photoshop? The wide array of effects and tools that Elements just doesn't have? The greater compatibility for pieces created in other programs using formats other than the typical image formats?


Oh, and for the OP...My $.02...

If you know you're going to be creating from scratch (not just editing existing work), and you know you're going to be doing it for a period of time to make the $250 worthwhile, just buy Photoshop. If there's any question about longterm viability?? Use one of the free programs...I'd recommend gimp. If you are going with Photoshop, and if you find that you're doing more freehand work than anything else, I highly recommend a Wacom Bamboo tablet. Will be your new best friend.

 

[JollyMeatMan]

Don't take this the wrong way but did you really say the biggest difference between Elements and Photoshop is the price?

Has nothing to do with the vast customizability of Photoshop? The wide array of effects and tools that Elements just doesn't have? The greater compatibility for pieces created in other programs using formats other than the typical image formats?


Oh, and for the OP...My $.02...

If you know you're going to be creating from scratch (not just editing existing work), and you know you're going to be doing it for a period of time to make the $250 worthwhile, just buy Photoshop. If there's any question about longterm viability?? Use one of the free programs...I'd recommend gimp. If you are going with Photoshop, and if you find that you're doing more freehand work than anything else, I highly recommend a Wacom Bamboo tablet. Will be your new best friend.

When it was first released that was true, but you can download user created elements, pieces and effects now. Normally you'll find the downloads on sites like TBP and Demonoid but it really does vastly improve the workability of the software. You're able to do a lot more and it's more user friendly than photoshop.

 

[ms_no_one]

Don't take this the wrong way but did you really say the biggest difference between Elements and Photoshop is the price?

Has nothing to do with the vast customizability of Photoshop? The wide array of effects and tools that Elements just doesn't have? The greater compatibility for pieces created in other programs using formats other than the typical image formats?


Oh, and for the OP...My $.02...

If you know you're going to be creating from scratch (not just editing existing work), and you know you're going to be doing it for a period of time to make the $250 worthwhile, just buy Photoshop. If there's any question about longterm viability?? Use one of the free programs...I'd recommend gimp. If you are going with Photoshop, and if you find that you're doing more freehand work than anything else, I highly recommend a Wacom Bamboo tablet. Will be your new best friend.

Tablets are definitely invaluable tools.

I saw a CD that came in the box mine was in and was wondering if anyone had experience with the software. It's called Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SE by Corel. Is it worth installing?

 

[NHPictureguy]

I saw a CD that came in the box mine was in and was wondering if anyone had experience with the software. It's called Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SE by Corel. Is it worth installing?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2158193,00.asp

Google, is your best friend.