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 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/stude...ition/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.