[JakeJ]

My Fellow Photographers,

What are the differences between Photoshop SC6, Lightroom, and Elements?  The pricing differences are fairly dramatic.  Are there any affordable alternatives that compare?  Yes, "affordable" is a relative term but I would like to keep it under a couple of hundred bucks

[RDavidson]

There aren't really any truly comparable programs, that I'm aware of. Photoshop is very much "the standard." Each package is designed for different uses. If you're a pretty serious photographer, you'd want the version with Lightroom. If you're a more casual photographer you'd want elements as I believe it is made to be more user friendly for the non-graphic designer / non-pro photographer. Of course, basic Photoshop is quite powerful on its own, but to get the most out of it and likely Lightroom, you need to know what you're doing. It would be worthwhile to take a class on it, if you're serious about it.

[geowak]

That is a great question for photographers interested in using the software. I have used both Adobe Elements, CS6 and Creative Cloud. Not saying I am a pro at any of them..ha ha

First off, Elements is marketed toward the casual user. It will do 90% of what the novice will want to do with the job of editing a digital photograph. Someone taking pictures at a wedding for a friend, will find this program can fix many pictures if taken in the RAW format. So.. you can do some surprising things with Elements alone.

Secondly, Adobe CS6 is the program for professionals who need maximum control over images. There are many, many kinds of editing that can be done to an photographic digital file with CS6. The possibilities can overwhelm someone who does NOT want to spend time to learn the program, or edit images for any length of time. Website design, Magazine print, Advertising and any kind electronic or publishing print of photographic and graphic design images can be enhanced with CS6. CS6 and Lightroom are often used in tandem as a compositional tool.

Finally we have Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe has changed it's marketing philosophy and practice recently. They are not actually selling software that you buy. Creative Cloud was born for professionals who need EVERYTHING or SOMETHING... Adobe has engineered through software. Some of these are Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Fireworks, Bridge, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, etc. The idea from Adobe is that the user pays a monthly fee and has ALL the programs under the Creative Cloud umbrella to use. So probably Adobe will not provide updates or customer service for those who own older programs such as Photoshop CS6 after a certain period.

There is one other photo editing software that is very nice. It's called Perfect Photo Suite 7. It does sound generic, but it's pretty intuitive to use and works with Elements or CS6, if needed. Also one can use it on it's own. There is face detection software written into the program, which really helps with people pictures. I went to a Photoshop seminar and one of the software developers was there from onOne Software demonstrating the use of it. I bought it on the spot, it was so good.

Lastly, one needs to pay attention to your HD space, total RAM and processor speed on the upper end Adobe programs. You should have a computer that meets the minimum requirements for the software you will use.

Hope this helps, maybe others can chime in.....

[dB Cooper]

Photoshop is oriented around editing, Lightroom is organized around… well, organizing and cataloguing. Elements does much of what PShop does, minus some "pro" capabilities, at a fraction of the price.

Most casual users don't begin to use the full Photoshop feature set and would be just as happy with Elements. If someone is really strapped, the GIMP is quite capable and the price is right (free). Many Mac users like myself who don't need esoteric features like being able to swap somebody's head from one pic to another are going to Pixelmator, an increasingly popular and capable competitor.

[srb]

Here is a little more specific comparison on some various tasks performed in Photoshop, Pixelmator and GIMP:
GIMP vs Photoshop vs Pixelmator – Graphics Editor Shootout

Steve

[RDavidson]

Photoshop is oriented around editing, Lightroom is organized around… well, organizing and cataloguing. Elements does much of what PShop does, minus some "pro" capabilities, at a fraction of the price.

Most casual users don't begin to use the full Photoshop feature set and would be just as happy with Elements. If someone is really strapped, the GIMP is quite capable and the price is right (free). Many Mac users like myself who don't need esoteric features like being able to swap somebody's head from one pic to another are going to Pixelmator, an increasingly popular and capable competitor.

What's funny is that "swapping heads" can be very difficult especially if you want the outcome to look real (which definitely requires Photoshop and training), but I love how they make stuff like that look so easy in commercials and TV shows. I also love on CSI and in movies how a photo can be "enhanced" and suddenly have more resolution than it had originally.

[rooze]

Check this out - pretty neat:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu-HR7xRtvU

[Jon L]

I noticed a pretty significant increase in processing time and RAM use when I went from Photoshop CS5 to CS6, a pity really.  The only reason I "upgraded" was due to the fact Adobe refuses to support newer Camera's RAW files with older photoshop versions, so I was forced to get CS6.  I also hate the new monthly subscription model Adobe is trying to force us into; did I mention I hate adobe? 

Having said that, I use Photoshop because of the multitude of third-party Photoshop plug-ins I use, e.g. Nik Silver Efex, Anthropics Portrait Professional, Imagenomic Noiseware Pro, etc. 

[JakeJ]

Gents,

I want to thank you all for the input it is very much appreciated.  A special thanks to JonL for the info about Creative Cloud.  All the cloud stuff has me concerned about privacy and copied materials.

I just need to figure out how to fund a purchase of PS CS6.  I have played with it at a friend's.  Here are a couple of my artistic endeavours.

[toocool4]

JakeJ if you want CS6, you better get a move on as I think they will stop selling it soon.

They are moving everyone on to CC, they don’t want to sell you software anymore they just want you to rent it off them. We have moved to Creative Cloud at work, you sign up for a year’s subscription if you decide not to re-new after that year you will no longer be able to use it. So basically you don’t own the software anymore, just leasing it.

[BobM]

Those who already have Photoshop installed locally are not necesarily going to lose it, but the creative cloud concept allows them to push out updates and bug fixes on a more frequent basis, and will soon outstrip the old versions. According to my daughter, studying digital media in college and using Photoshop a lot (among other programs),  that is the way it is going to be going forward.

She also says that there will likely be a licensing breaker available within days of any release, which may be an option for amateurs and students, but not for licensed professionals.

[geowak]

Adobe gave me a big break in price on CS6. I am a subscriber to CC since I have taken a few classes at the local University. Since I took the three class certification prep for CS6 and it is not offered as part of CC, Abode sold me a copy for $370. So taking the class helps one learn the program and get a discount on the price...

BTW Photoshop CS6 is a very comprehensive program, it takes a long while to understand color, layout, layers, masks, print vs digital production, and all the tools which took over 20 years of development to weave into this program.

One more thing to throw in, one of the best training tools on the market is lynda.com. For someone dedicated to learning the program, and does not want to do the university route, this is a great place to start. IMHO

[JakeJ]

Again, thanks for the info, gents.  Right now Amazon has CS6 for a bit over $600 and like JonL I am not real hot on renting it a year at a time.  Even if they eventually stop supporting it as long as it works I'll be happy.  I need to do more research too as I might be just as happy with Elements or even Gimp.  Maybe Paint Shop Pro would be a viable alternative.  I just need to do my due diligence to find out what will work best for me.  I am just an amateur photographer and have no major aspirations towards a graphics based career.  I'm just one who like having all bitchin' tools I can. 

[zybar]

Another avenue (if you qualify) is to get an educational discount.

Have a family member, child, sibling, etc...in any level of school?  You can get a very substantial discount on your license.

George

[bside123]

I use both Lightroom 4.4.1 and Photoshop CS6. I only use the Photoshop for advanced editing, i.e., final edits to output for print in large format, graphics, gif and very detailed corrections. I've never even begun to touch the power and capacity of Photoshop CS6. I am able to do about everything I need to accomplish in Lightroom. Lightroom's basic photo processing and editing is extremely good. Lightroom is also convenient for non-destructive edits and folder organization. Again, it is more powerful than I generally need, as I do not perform a lot of photo manipulation and rendering. You've all seen my photos... almost all Lightroom! Hope this helps.

[gnuyork]

I use both Lightroom 4.4.1 and Photoshop CS6. I only use the Photoshop for advanced editing, i.e., final edits to output for print in large format, graphics, gif and very detailed corrections. I've never even begun to touch the power and capacity of Photoshop CS6. I am able to do about everything I need to accomplish in Lightroom. Lightroom's basic photo processing and editing is extremely good. Lightroom is also convenient for non-destructive edits and folder organization. Again, it is more powerful than I generally need, as I do not perform a lot of photo manipulation and rendering. You've all seen my photos... almost all Lightroom! Hope this helps.

I do the same mostly as bside. I have shifted my photo post work primarily to lightroom rather than photoshop, especially RAW conversion. Like, bside. I still use Photoshop (cs6) for more advanced work like making selections with the pen tool, or using multiple layers etc. I also do all of my final sharpening and printing from Photoshop, but mainly because of the excellent print plug in I use that works with my printer.

I have come to enjoy lightroom so much more lately. Once you understand it, the workflow is very efficient, and fast -and non destructive. If lightroom could incorporate layers and the pen tool, I would almost never need to use photoshop again. I have not upgraded to 5 yet, but probably will soon enough.

[geowak]

With CS6 one has to be very careful and should have a base knowledge of how the program treats files. For instance if you don't save a file under a new name straight away and start to make changes with the menus at the top of the program window, you can easily degrade your file andnot get the original pixels back. CS6 is designed to use layers to alter the image appearance. That is where temporary changes can be made first.

[gnuyork]

With CS6 one has to be very careful and should have a base knowledge of how the program treats files. For instance if you don't save a file under a new name straight away and start to make changes with the menus at the top of the program window, you can easily degrade your file andnot get the original pixels back. CS6 is designed to use layers to alter the image appearance. That is where temporary changes can be made first.

right

Always save a copy from the original... and try to work in adjustment layers as much as possible.

[ThuanDB]

I noticed a pretty significant increase in processing time and RAM use when I went from Photoshop CS5 to CS6, a pity really.  The only reason I "upgraded" was due to the fact Adobe refuses to support newer Camera's RAW files with older photoshop versions, so I was forced to get CS6.  I also hate the new monthly subscription model Adobe is trying to force us into; did I mention I hate adobe? 

Having said that, I use Photoshop because of the multitude of third-party Photoshop plug-ins I use, e.g. Nik Silver Efex, Anthropics Portrait Professional, Imagenomic Noiseware Pro, etc.

+1

I just stayed with CS5 and LR5.  When I need to deal with raw files that both can't read, I use Adobe DNG converter to make them readable.

[JimJ]

Still on CS3