Photoshop CS5 is cost prohibitive.

[jwbryson1]

I bought LR thinking it would give me everything I need to edit my photos. I understand now that LR is limited in its capabilities and is best used as a companion to Photoshop CS5.

A lot of people seem to use CS5, but it is really expensive for a photo-hobbyist.

I also own PS Elements which was much cheaper but does not do what CS5 does.

So my question is this -- do amateurs really spend $600+ on CS5 just to have one more way to work with their photos? Before you flame me, I realize it may be the best way to get complete control over images, but it's just so expensive.

Is it worth the investment for a hobbyist?

 

[Ballistics]

Just have a family member (or yourself) who is a student purchase it.

http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/education_pricing.html

It's $200 that way.

 

[tirediron]

I'm sure many do; there are lots of hobbyists out there with the money to spend, as well as those who have to have the best of everything. My opinion is that while nice to have, it's not necessary. Far more important is a good RAW handler (Lightroom). There are some things that you need a Photoshop type of application for, but I think for most people, including about 99.95% of hobbyists, Elements is more than sufficient.

 

[redessa]

I have a family member who works for Adobe. He's allowed a certain number of products each year at next to nothing prices so that's how I got it. Otherwise no, I would not have spent that kind of money on it. I'd have gotten Elements and probably been happy enough with it.

 

[MTVision]

I'm a student that's how I got cs5 but I had elements before and it worked perfect. Lightroom and elements together is just as good for a hobbyist as long as you aren't wanting to do huge photo manipulations!

 

[DisasterDan]

There is always the option of being a pirate. Although it is quite illegal and frowned upon these days.

 

[jwbryson1]

There is always the option of being a pirate. Although it is quite illegal and frowned upon these days.

That's because it's illegal and drives up the cost of everything. I would never risk my law license for a free copy of PS.

 

[spacefuzz]

Start with what you can use and what the level of your photography demands. I started with elements and used that for two years until I wanted to raise the quality of my work a notch and shelled out the money for CS5. Then I used bridge for a year until my growing library required more organization and I got lightroom....etc etc etc.

Start small and when your skill starts bumping into the limitations of your equipment, upgrade.

 

[Rafal]

Cheapest way, if you're not a student, is to join an online course at your community college so you can be considered a student. Such online course at my local college cost $125 and by doing that I'm able to get the student discount and get it for $194.95 so my total cost would be $320. And since you're signing up for the course you might as well take advantage of it and learn basics of CS5 They gave me this website to buy the software from:
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended Student and Teacher Edition (Win) for $194.95 at Academic Superstore

Hope this helps

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I'm curious to know what specifically the OP is missing from LR in their PP process or what Elements is not giving them.

 

[lyonsroar]

Arrrrr me hearties. Yo ho.

 

[Kbarredo]

Moderator
*original content removed*
The forum does not condone nor support the theft of software

 

[subscuck]

Nice. :thumbdown::thumbdown:

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

.

So you are pro theft?

So, having your camera stolen didn't bother you?

Did you just steal a new one?

 

[subscuck]

So, having your camera stolen didn't bother you?

Did you just steal a new one?

If software companies losing $51 billion a year isn't a real crime, I guess stealing a camera wouldn't be either.