Which photo editing software? LR4, PSE, CS5?

xraychick · Mar 11, 2012

Hello. I'm new to the forum. I have an old version of PS Elements. I just purchased a Canon S100...it arrives Thursday. I'm thinking about upgrading and am not sure which to upgrade to. Can anyone explain the differences between Lightroom4, PS Elements, and Photoshop CS5? They all seem very similar to me. Thanks in advance!

chuasam · Mar 11, 2012

If they all seem very similar to you, then you don't really need to upgrade to any of them.

photo_joe · Mar 11, 2012

If you are looking for full editing then CS5 Photoshop is great if you are looking to do more touch up then Lightroom could work out well for you. I guess it's all going to depend on how much editing and what you are planning to do.

xraychick · Mar 11, 2012

photo_joe said:
If you are looking for full editing then CS5 Photoshop is great if you are looking to do more touch up then Lightroom could work out well for you. I guess it's all going to depend on how much editing and what you are planning to do.

Thank you. Mainly just touching up but I also like to play around with adding effects and such to my photos. I like my PSE, but it's many years old. I wonder if it's changed much over the years? If not then I guess I'd be better off to just use what I've got.

photo_joe · Mar 11, 2012

Then you might want to look at doing an upgrade to photoshop elements to the most recent version and maybe look at buying Lightroom 3 since it's one sale since Lightroom 4 was just released.

xraychick · Mar 12, 2012

Just looked at my version of PSE...it's v2.0! Think it's time for an upgrade!

KmH · Mar 12, 2012

I would say get Elements 10.

CS5 and Lightroom 4 are professional grade software and a pro really needs both of them.

Kombipete · Mar 12, 2012

I'm really happy with PSE10.. does more than I know what to do

xraychick · Mar 12, 2012

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I will be going with PSE10

rajforever · Mar 13, 2012

well conrats for your new camera .. and for photo editing Photoshop CS5 is best ..

___________

xraychick · Mar 13, 2012

rajforever said:
well conrats for your new camera .. and for photo editing Photoshop CS5 is best ..

___________

Thank you

I've had several point and shoots and I also have an older Rebel that I haven't used for a while. Need to dust it off again lol. I will check out CS5 a little more.

KmH · Mar 13, 2012

Well, CS5 Extended is best ($999 full retail)

tommyboy · Mar 18, 2012

Devoted hobbiest; PS Elements

Serious or obsessed photographer who wants control over everything; CS5

KmH · Mar 18, 2012

I wish CS5 gave me control over everything, but it doesn't even come close. :er:

webrotate360 · Mar 19, 2012

Voting to start with Photoshop right away as it gives the opportunity to grow. You can probably get CS4 on ebay which is still pretty good for a pretty reasonable price.