Up to this point I've been relying on Graphic Converter and iPhoto for my editing tools, but I think I'm outgrowing this software. Most photo-editing tutorials are based around Photoshop, so I'd like to be able to use that software.
I can't afford Photoshop right now, but was considering getting Photoshop Elements. Is it worth it for someone planning to use Photoshop in the future but unable to afford it now? In particular, can I use it to learn more advanced techniques that take advantage of my SLR's capability, or is it too "dumbed down" for that?
Depending on your budget, you might take a look at, or trial Lightzone. It's a really good editor with zone system/film development tendencies. It's 20% off through the end of the year.
http://www.lightcrafts.com/
Basic will run about $120 and the full version ~$200 with the rebate.
Also, Bibble Light is $79 and Bibble Pro $129
http://www.bibblelabs.com/
If you shoot a lot with ultra-wides, Bibble's distortion correction rules. If you get Pro, you can run it on OSX, Windows or Linux.
You can trial them both and see what you think. They won't help with the PS tutorial issues, but they're both great pieces of software. I have CS3 and Capture NX and Bibble. If Lightzone had been ready in time, I'd probably have a copy of that too.
I haven't used it since the 1.0 version that came bundled with an old digital camera so it might have changed since then. I recall it only having a few limited functions when I used it.
*Cough* "might have changed?" *cough* You'd
generally expect someone who wants people to read & respect their opinions to at least be aware of the subjects they're opining on. It's been five years since Elements 2.0 was released, even with the Mac version trailing by two, you're looking at three major releases of differences and spouting an opinion on an outdated 1.0 release that's
six and a half years old is a significant disservice to the original poster.
It also makes me seriously question the validity of
any opinion or review you'd post. Even version 1.0 of Elements wasn't all that bad- especially if you compare it to Photoshop LE! Ron Galbraith's review at the time[1] had the following "What's missing" list between the full Photoshop 6 and Elements 1.0[2]:
Actions
Curves
Selective Color
The ability to view or apply corrections to individual channels.
16-bit file support.
Lab or CMYK support
I'm curious about what PS wizardry you were trying to do with your P&S "Free copy of Photoshop Elements" camera's files that was so feature-limited.
Paul
[1]
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-3911-3920
[2] That doesn't include what's different, just what doesn't exist in Elements 1.0 that did in PS6