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Post by nike on Mar 14, 2012 8:21:35 GMT
I have both Photoshop CS5 Extended, and Photoshop Elements 9.
CS5 didn't cost me much thanks to my 'contacts', and I purchased Elements 9 as a download with key from the internet at $48.00AUD, and a genuine boxed copy for Vickie's computer cost me, at student rates, just $86.00AUD.
There are a few people I know who use Lightroom, but i'm going to concentrate on learning Elements 9. From all reports, Lightroom is not up to the task as is both of the others.
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Post by Ray on Mar 14, 2012 8:45:11 GMT
I have CS5 Extended but much prefer to use Elements 9 as it does everything that I need and more. I have always believed that it's far better to learn one application well rather than have a little knowledge of several. Edited with Elements... Ray
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Post by Ray on Mar 14, 2012 9:29:53 GMT
You can improve them a bit Kev by using the burn tool, obviously you cannot do much about the sharpness due to it being down to the depth of field but the point of focus is where it should be, on the butterfly. When using the burn tool the trick is not to overdo it, set the strength to about 50% and remember less is more... See below... Sorry mate I think I deleted your reply by mistake. Ray
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Post by Skhilled on Mar 14, 2012 14:27:52 GMT
CS5 and Elements are more for artwork while Lightroom is designed specifically for photos. It does not have all of the drwing tools, etc. like CS or elements do. But there are some very nice addons for it.
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Post by vikingken on Mar 14, 2012 16:00:51 GMT
I learned with PSP 7 and couldn't get on with Elements, it worked differently. I bought Coral PSP Photo Pro x 2 Ultimate. Its got more photo tools than the Jasc versions, but the basic program works the same. The learning curve started from where I had got to and I didn't have to start from scratch. Photoshop is undoubtedly better, its also incredibly expensive. I wont be airbrushing any fashion models, I just need something that will do a reasonable repair of a photo and produce a good print. A lot of the photos I work on, anything would be better than the original.
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Post by nike on Mar 14, 2012 21:32:13 GMT
That's great Ray, now all I have to do is locate the burn tool, and find out how it works. One day, when I have nothing booked in, i'll get a chance to do all this for myself. Until then, I don't think you will see much in the way of edited photo's from me.
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Post by Skhilled on Mar 15, 2012 14:59:19 GMT
I used to like the JASC Tools and Corel years ago and used them a lot back them.
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Post by Ray on Mar 15, 2012 16:07:16 GMT
The next time you have time on your hands Kev give me a call on Skype and I will talk you through a few things to get you on your way. Here's a nice couple of edits... Reflections... Ray
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Post by vikingken on Mar 15, 2012 17:52:55 GMT
Reflections are my favourite subject Ray, not that I'm any good at taking them. I particularly like the second one with the gnarled old tree in the forground and the reflections going off into the distance. Two subjects for the price of one.
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Post by Ray on Mar 15, 2012 20:15:18 GMT
Hi Ken, I like reflections too but you have to have the right weather and also the venue. I was lucky with both when I visited Marwood Hill gardens which are in North Devon and got these pics...
Steve, Photoshop CS5 and other previous versions is a dedicate graphics application with a multitude of functions which includes photo editing, whereas Photoshop Elements is a dedicated photo editing application. Just so we don't confuse other members who may be considering purchasing photo editing software.
Ray
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Post by nike on Mar 15, 2012 21:36:36 GMT
We have had these discussions on Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Lightroom at the camera club last year.
When a person signs on to do a course in Photography at a local TAFE college, (Technical And Further Education) they are taught the use of Photoshop CS5 above all the others. There are courses available to teach Elements, and Lightroom, but the membership was encouraged to learn the full CS5 (or CS4 or whatever) because it does so much more. There were a few that used Elements, and only one that used Lightroom.
Personally, i'm going to be learning Elements 9, and Ray has offered to help me via Skype. Vickie on the other hand is learning CS5, as her online craft guru's teach that, and she has heaps of plug-in's that work with CS5, that don't work in elements.
She picked these up from here. www.kimklassencafe.com/ You only need to see the home page there to see what Vickie is interested in.
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Post by Skhilled on Mar 16, 2012 14:23:56 GMT
You are right, Ray.
Actually, I use PS CS5, Paint.net and Lightroom for editing photos. It depends on what type of editing the photo needs. Some something like resizing, adding text or quick color or brightness changes I'll use paint.net. For just enhancing a photo I use lightroom. For adding other elements into a photo I'll use PS.
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Post by Ray on Apr 3, 2012 18:20:43 GMT
Another example of the use of the RAW editor and the use of layers... Before edit... After edit Ray
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Post by Ray on Apr 4, 2012 8:30:14 GMT
This is a photo of a Chaffinch which I took recently, if you look at the pic as shot you will see that the subject is underexposed whereas the background (sky) is over exposed, a common problem encountered when shooting against the light, in fact' I didn't give this pic a second glance at first. But after using the RAW editor and one layer mask I ended up with a lovely photo which I am well pleased with... As taken... After edit... Ray
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Post by vikingken on Apr 4, 2012 8:58:30 GMT
Anyone who hasn't got RAW, shouldn't dispair. You might not be able to achieve Rays superb standards, but you can improve your photos a great deal by using a similar method with Gif layers.
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