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PhotoshopCS4 V Elements 7

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Mike Fewster

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I have just been playing around with Elements 7 for the first time. I am sure there are good answers to this, but I am having trouble seeing what CS4 can do that Elements 7 cant that can possibly justify all that extra money. What have I missed?
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Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
I agree as long as we are talking only non pro photo editing.

In CS4 you work by the colour, like Red Green Blue. This makes thing better, than the auto functions that Elements uses.

Elements is easy and cheep so I use it, CS4 is expensive and a lot harder to use but get pro results if you know what you are doing.
 
I find that the combination of PSE7 and GIMP meets my needs. GIMP has some of the more pro features that PSE7 lacks wrt CS4. As some others have said there are things that CS4 does that these two don't but I haven't really missed it - then again I am no expert so keep that in mind.
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Rick
 
The version of Adobe Camera Raw that comes with CS4 includes batch/multiple file editing and targeted adjustments, ("Adjustment Brush" and "Graduated Filter" for example) that are not in PSE7's version. The editor itself includes "Smart Filters" that I understand (I use Lightroom and have PSE7 just in case and have never tried CS4) allow for editing that does not requre saving to a new image file at the end of a session. Again, as I understand it, the compositing tools and other content creation tools in CS4 are more sophisticated while PSE7 is suitable for amateurs and pro's who don't need the content creation tools.

Correction: ACR in PSE7 does allow for batch/multiple file editing.
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Ken Daves
 
Should have added. I am using Lightroom 2.3 and acr. Elements works as a plug in for further editing if I wish. I also have cs3, though haven't installed it again (I am rebuilding my system after a computer crash) but so far I am not missing cs3 at all and I am wondering if cs4 is worthwhile.
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Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
One other factor, Elements 7 will not work with a Windows 64 bit operating system. CS4 will.
 
Untrue it works on my Windows XP pro 64x...
 
I'm using Vista 64-bit and currently a trial of Elements 7. Now it isn't a native 64-bit app (runs as a 32-bit app on Windows 64-bit), maybe that's what you meant. And because of that, it won't take advantage of all your RAM and it is a little slower than some of the other Photoshop apps.

I also have a full version of Elements 6 which the editor works fine but the organizer is flawed when using RAW (a known bug they didn't fix until 7).

I'm also using Bibble Pro (4.10 full version and 5 preview edition) as well as Lightroom 2.3 (using a trial at the moment and I will be receiving my full version any day now).

Between Bibble, Lightroom, Noise Ninja and Elements 7 I am able to do 99% of what I need to accomplish.

The main gripe I do have with Elements is that I can't work in 16-bit TIFFs, it down converts them to 8-bit. And it also doesn't use the ProPhoto RGB colorspace (only SRGB and Adobe RGB).

Paul
 
The new ACDSee pro5 is doing a good job. I like special the Shadow/Highlights Tool , is working like an equalizer from music system. And the price is reasonable.
 
Of course Adobe left out some essential tools to make you pay the big bucks, a usable curves tool, layer masks, ..... ( you can get these for example with Paintshop Pro, PhotoLine, ... almost any other lower priced editor; and there are some workarounds available for Elements - if you like workarounds).
 
Assumption: You intend to process both JPG and RAW (Sony ARW) files. Start with Elements 7 and upgrade later to CS4 if you find your needs become limited in E7. The investment for E7 and then a CS4 upgrade is essentially the same cost as starting with CS4. This way you only invest to the level of use. And be sure and try the CS4 30 day trial first.

I use Adobe CS4 and Lightroom 2.
 
PSE 7 works as a 32 bit app on both my Vista 64 bit machines.
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Ken Daves
 
More and more the comments from Adobe leave no doubt that Lightroom is where Adobe will put its future in terms of photographers. With each change the development process will get better.

In time, what we knew as Photoshop will be for image manipulation and digital painting.

If you are merely doing what photographers did in the dark room during the development process than LR is the future of that arena for Adobe.

More and more plugins and more and more development presets make LR a breeze to get the most out of your photos if developing raw images or tweaking jpegs is all you need. Add that to the cataloging ability and it's so easy to handle hundreds of photos in a jiffy.

I've used Gimp, PS6, CS4 and others.....I can live without any of them as long as you let me keep Lightroom. It has become that good.
 
Thanks for the info everyone.

Most interesting. I think I am going to try to run with just Lightroom 2.3 and Elements 7 for a while and see if situations emerge that I can't handle between them.

Old Pirate, I think you are right re future directions of LR.

Anyone know if E7 is capable of running the latest version ACR?
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Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
ACR 5.3 is the latest listed for PSE7.
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Ken Daves
 
Thanks Ken.

I knew I could use ACR 5.3 in Lightroom 2.3 and the general feeling is that this is worthwhile for A700 images. If this also is comapible with E7, great. Do I need to transfer ACR 5.3 into the program files for both programs, or, does it get shared?
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Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
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