Which Photo editing software program?

[Seahorsepower1]

1) Adobe Photoshop CS5
2) Adobe Lightroom 3
3) Adobe Elements 9

Now I have a Canon 60D as my camera body, I mainly take Landscape type of photos in RAW and Jpeg files. I will be using this program mainly for fixing tones/colors/contrast/brightness, converting to B&W, adding watermarks, adding a border, erasing unwanted objects.
I don't want to spend more than I have to but if I have to fork out 1K for CS5 then I guess it'll have to be. I also want to be able to print some of my pics one day if that helps. I just need some recommendations from beyonders that have used these programs mainly pros and cons from the experienced. I'm kinda looking towards one of these 3 programs and not any other recommendations as it can get into many more choices and headaches.

Thanks

[Unknown303]

Gimp

[ex1z7]

wait ..

people pay for photoshop?

[89coupe]

Originally posted by ex1z7
wait ..

people pay for photoshop?

Honest, ethical people.

[Mar]

I don't know why so many people pay for Photoshop when The GIMP is free.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Photoshop is king if you shoot Canon.

Capture NX 2 + Photoshop if you shoot Nikon.

[blitz]

Lightroom!

+ Silver Efex Pro for B&W Conversion.

Both are very intuitive, and Lightroom will help organize and catalog your photos as well.

[ottamania]

I ve been working with CS5 and I am pretty happy with results. I want to try Lightroom as well.

[Bowser]

I used lightroom for a while when I first started out. I ended up getting CS3 from a friend when they upgraded and I havn't used lightroom since.

Adobe also has a 30 trial download. That way you can see and compare the programs. This way you don't spend excessive amounts of money, if your not going to be using the features.

[dirtsniffer]

wait people pay for photoshop?

[ByTeMe]

Elements if you are new to graphics editing/don't want full control of your images.

Photoshop > Elements of course

Would definitely download the trial if I were you, especially if your going to pay for it.

[Shax]

CS5 Photoshop

Got the CS5 Master Suite on a student price, it's nice because they allow 2 years commercial use with the software even though it's a student edition.

[msommers]

Where did you pick up a student edition? I wouldn't mind getting in on that deal.

[Shax]

Um direct from Adobe actually, they made me send in a student ID and went from there. I THINK there is another Canadian site that is qualified to sell the Adobe products at student price, I would have to look for it though.

The Pre-Order student price (the one I used) was 899.00 for the master suite, ridiculous savings.

edit
I didn't have to look. I had it bookmarked. The site was studica (http://www.studica.com/) and they have the master on for $ 892.95

[msommers]

I just ordered on yesterday on Adobe and got a hell of a deal.

$302.xx USD w/ tax for CS5 Extended and Lightroom 3! I'm limited to one copy per but if someone is wanting legit copies and not for commercial use, I'd find a current full-time student willing to submit their info.

[Kloubek]

You'll be happy with CS5 - it is a very good suite... though some people might find it a little imposing to learn on their own.

[Mitsu3000gt]

What is the commercial agreement like for CS5 on the student edition? If you sell even 1 photo ever, are you violating the agreement? How would they ever know? Is there an "upgrade to commercial" option if I ever started selling stuff?

Just curious. $300 is a good price for CS5 extended.

[msommers]

CS5 extended alone was 200, lightroom 3 was 89. I'm not sure Mark, you should email them...I'm curious too now.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers
CS5 extended alone was 200, lightroom 3 was 89. I'm not sure Mark, you should email them...I'm curious too now.

Maybe I will. I'm not a student though - if they need anything from me verifying I'm a student it won't work anyways. I actually still have my student ID from last year with no expiry on it haha, so maybe it would work if they didn't require much proof. I'd probably pay $200 for a legit copy of CS5 extended though. I don't need light room as I believe CS5 does everything light room can.

[Mr_John]

Can I use my Adobe Student and Teacher Edition software for commercial use?

Yes. You may purchase a Student and Teacher Edition for personal as well as commercial use.
http://www.adobe.com/education/students/studentteacheredition/faq.html

Sounds like the student edition is ok for commercial use as well. You can also install onto a maximum of two computers at a time.

[Mitsu3000gt]

It say $109 not $199 - am I missing something? For $109 I'd pick up a legit copy in a heartbeat.

And is that a reputable site? I've never seen it before.

Definitely going to pick it up for $109 if everything is legit.

EDIT: I'm having trouble finding reviews for that retailer - has anyone used them before, or can anyone find something that suggests they are legit?

[msommers]

Where are you finding it for 109? Here is where I got it from...

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?&store=OLS-EDU#categoryOid=4529549&view=ols_prod&category=/Applications/PhotoshopExtendedSTE&loc=en_us&store=OLS-EDU

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers
Where are you finding it for 109? Here is where I got it from...

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?&store=OLS-EDU#categoryOid=4529549&view=ols_prod&category=/Applications/PhotoshopExtendedSTE&loc=en_us&store=OLS-EDU

If you click Mr. John's link above, it doesn't come up at $199 like his post says, it says $109.90. I just can't figure out if it's legit or not.

I can't get the student edition because it requires a student ID with a date on it - mine isn't dated, and it's the closest thing I have to "proof" that I am a student.

[msommers]

Shit I should have checked there :rofl: Honestly though, I'd rather send my confidential info to Adobe than some other company I've never heard of.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers
Shit I should have checked there :rofl: Honestly though, I'd rather send my confidential info to Adobe than some other company I've never heard of.

I don't think you need to send them anything other than a credit card number, as it makes no mention of being a student edition or anything.

I just don't know if it's legit or not, I've been looking around but I can't find much on it. I've been able to find people who are skeptical, and people who apparently bought Windows 7 from them with no issues. I'd like to find a bit more info on them though.

I'd rather buy from Adobe too, but if this is a non-student edition and for $100 cheaper, as long as it's legit I'll do it for sure. A non-restricted version of CS5 extended for $109 seems too good to be true, which is why I don't want to buy it from them without getting confirmation it's not a scam haha.

[blitz]

How could it possibly be legit for $109?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I did some more snooping around and I don't think it's legit. There just isn't any info around on these guys. It may or may not work, but for $109 I'm not willing to take the chance.

[Mr_John]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
I did some more snooping around and I don't think it's legit. There just isn't any info around on these guys. It may or may not work, but for $109 I'm not willing to take the chance.

They promote that they are an Adobe partner, but are not listed as one on Adobe's website.

Sounds a bit sketchy, so I've edited and removed the link.

Mark: if you want, you can use my student id # from the New York Institute of Photography (had to use up my professional development money before the fiscal year end :) )

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Mr_John


They promote that they are an Adobe partner, but are not listed as one on Adobe's website.

Sounds a bit sketchy, so I've edited and removed the link.

Mark: if you want, you can use my student id # from the New York Institute of Photography (had to use up my professional development money before the fiscal year end :) )

That is a very generous offer but it just isn't a high priority for me right now. I just don't need to be spending money on that stuff right now haha, even though I want it. I need other things worse. Again, thanks for the offer.

[msommers]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


That is a very generous offer but it just isn't a high priority for me right now. I just don't need to be spending money on that stuff right now haha, even though I want it. I need other things worse. Again, thanks for the offer.

Oh just buy it Mark, you know you eventually will anyways.

/pusherman

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers


Oh just buy it Mark, you know you eventually will anyways.

/pusherman

I was actually just thinking that my Mom is a teacher, so I could get her to buy it for me rather than use one of your guys' information to get the discount. I thought it was just for students, but it's not. At least there is no time limit on it now, because she won't be retiring for a few years haha.