Photoshop (for Less)

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Ron Eggers

Ron Eggers

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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Photoshop is the premier photo editing and image preparation software. That being said, most of us don't need to spend the $600 or so to purchase the full version or the dozens of hours needed to master even the basics of Photoshop.

I own it. I use it. I probably don't need it. 90% of what I do with images - resizing, color correction, preparing for posting to the web, some retouching - I can do with Adobe Photodeluxe (for about $60.) I can also prepare files that open directly into Photoshop if I need something more.

There is also a fairly new Adobe program (Photoshop Elements, I think) that gives you the most commonly used features of Photoshop at a fraction of the cost and with a much shorter learning curve. This replaces the old Photoshop LE. There are even a few friendly features that are NOT available in the regular Photoshop.

Just because you use a scanner or a digital camera, don't let anyone talk you into Photoshop.
 
Hi Ron – thanks for thinking of me!

I believe that is very good advice, But since you have it, I have it, and I’m sure many others for what ever reason have it, it would be nice to turn this thread or another into a place where people who do use it can share helpful tips.

The person who helped me build my website, let me use a copy. Since hard drives seem to be the weakest link in the computer, I decided to get my own copy. Sure it’s way above my head, but I like a challenge. I was able to acquire an Academic (full) version 7 for Lessa than $300. Yes, you’re right I probably don’t need it, but I do own it.

Are there any features in your Photo Shop that you currently know of, that the others do not? I use mine to edit photos, help maintain my website, design gallery postcards and high quality color adds. I also, on occasion get involved with large Giclee printmaking.
 
Less, for what you are doing, Photoshop 7 is probably best for you. Is it right for everyone? No, but if you are doing graphic design, or printing, or need to do very precise photo manipulation (like I do) then it is the best choice. For anyone just wanting to scan their photos and put them on the web or in a brochure, with a need just for the basics, Photoshop Elements will probably do. Heck, you may not even need that, many publishing programs allow you to scan and do basic resizing, etc. right in them. We have both Photoshop 7 and Photoshop Elements (which came with our scanner). I never use the latter, cause I need way more than it offers for what I do.
 
I love Photoshop and have used the last 5 or so versions. Photoshop 7 is sitting here now, waiting to be installed tonight. Can't wait to see what they changed!

Everyone is right: You'll only use 10% of it's abilities. I learn something new every day.

Mike
 
Hi Mike, What the heck are we doing here on a Sunday night, and I'm at the shop? ? ?
 
We spent the day fighting the back-to-school crowds at Wrentham Factory Outlets in Massachusetts. Trying to find some new threads for upcoming vacation. We're closed Sundays, thank God


Just relaxing and unwinding. The internet is part of my daily routine before and after work. I'm addicted to my daily news, emails, and of course the Grumble.
 
For most people, there is no need to spend that much money on Photoshop. You will never use more than about 1% of its features.

I have been using Micrografx Picture Publisher 8 (Version 10 now available) for many years and it will do everything I need and a squillion things I don't need. It is much easier to learn too. For digital photography, I use "tone balance" more than anything else and sometimes "unsharp mask".

PP10 is probably around one sixth of the price of Photoshop.
 
There are 110 bazillion things you can do in photoshop, the possibilities are practically endless. Using different combinations of tools and whatnot will result in all kinds of different things. I am somewhat of a novice, but I have learned a few tricks (I can make fire). Photoshop is by far the most expensive and most powerful graphics editing site you can get. For anything less than making absolutely beautiful pictres from scratch with lots of practice, other programs are less expensive and easier to use. One of the best is Paint Shop Pro, about $99 list price, still qite powerful but much less expensive. You can also use a program called GIMP, which is a free download from www.gimp.org its a large download though, close to 40 megs?
 
jvandy88,

Welcome to The Grumble. You just can't have too many 14-year-olds on a forum like this!

You may want to change your Grumble screen name, though. Many of us have developed the habit of ignoring any posts from the other jvandy and may end up accidently missing a valuable contribution of yours.
 
I'm taking my BALL and going HOME!!!!!
 
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