Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

[Jon_Are]

Help me understand post-processing software...

I own Photoshop Elements; is this enough for my (very basic) needs? For instance, I doubt I'd want to do much beyond adjusting color saturation, sharpness, and other minor tweaks.

As I read the forum, though, I see much discussion about Lightroom. is this generally considered a tool for serious amateurs and pros? What does it do compared to what I already own (PSE)? I was a bit surprised by the cost of it.

Also, once I get my DSLR (soon), I expect I'll be shooting mostly in RAW; not sure if that makes a difference with regard to my questions.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[tirediron]

Photoshop Elements is an excellent program; it contains most of the most-used functionality of the full version at a fraction of the price. You can also look at PaintShop Pro, and The Gimp (Free, but a little less user-friendly some might say). In short, yes, I would say that PSE will meet your needs in the near term.

Lightroom is a RAW handler, meant for doing the initial processing of RAW files. If you're shooting in RAW, you will need a RAW handling utility, but there are free ones out there, as well less expensive commercial ones. Lightroom is however, one of the best.

 

[Montana]

Might I take this question a bit further...I too own Photoshop Elements 6 and not only had the same questions as the OP, but also if one was to buy lightroom in the future, is elements no longer needed? Meaning, are all of the tools/features in elements also in lightroom?

Derrick

 

[jg123]

You should both download lightroom 2 beta so you can try it out. I am a beginner and am finding it pretty easy to understand.

 

[Alfred D.]

There are dozens of photo editors that can do what you want, Jon. All of them cheaper than Photoshop or Lightroom. Look here for a line-up. Shareware applications typically cost you $ 30 to $ 40. Freeware apps are, well... free of course.

Have fun!

 

[Overread16 4]

Well lightroom is (from what I understand) good at doing batch processing and organisation - batch work is something that elements does not do (though I have read that it can be done somehow).
Elements contains all that a new person will need and will work very well for many years to come. There is not only a good amount of info on using it,but there is also a host of downloads and upgrades you can add to it to get some functionality that the full photoshop has (all are 3rd party updates).
Some people consider lightroom better for batch work whilst elements offers some more specific work options.
Elements will convert RAW files so there is no need to get lightroom to do this -- most people that get lightroom do so because they are takinga lot of shots (work) and need to get the post processing over quicker

 

[Jon_Are]

Great answers, everyone.

OK, a very specific question:

I want to avoid washed-out colors, boring pale skies...I want colors that pop.

Will Photoshop Elements (and, I guess, an appropriate (polarizer?) lens filter) accomplish this?

Jon

 

[Antithesis]

Photoshop elements is capable of producing some wonderful results in the right hands. Don't expect to do some crazy tweaks with it, but for getting good color, sharpness, etc., it's an amazing utility for the price.

I use lightroom just about every day and it's miles ahead of photoshop in terms of batch processing. I mostly use it for basic exposure tweaks and color correction, and it does it's job wonderfully. If I had to do color correction in Photoshop, it would take me atleast twice as long.

 

[Montana]

But when Jon (the original poster) buys his first DSLR, the camera software allows batch processing....doesn't it? My Canon came with DPP, however I never batch process anyways. I usually get 3 keepers per 100 shots. LOL Do other brands of cameras come with a similar type of software?

 

[Overread16 4]

But I suspect that the camera software is weaker than lightrooms - things like sharpening, noise reduction and such would be considerably better in something like lightroom

 

[husky_mom]

WOW!!....*picks up jaw from floor*.......WOW....

what a great capture...

btw... the "thing" in his mouth was a seal... in some pics you can clearly see the fins ("feet")

 

[Overread16 4]

you lost?

 

[Montana]

LOL ^^ thats about the great white breach photo. thats a long ways from here. Forums Rock!

 

[Alfred D.]

!

 

[ISI_Stang06]

what exactly is batch processing? is there a benefit to this and is that why most go w/lightroom?

im in the process of getting my 1st DSLR and will need a software also. elements has the ability to really have the subject stand out w/blurry background, like a macro lens