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Explain Photoshop products to me like I'm a second-grader

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007.

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  1. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I thought I might use my student discount to get photoshop for someone for Christmas and I'm trying to navigate between what is needed, the cost and the discount. But, not being much of a computer-nut myself, Adobe has me confused on what their various products are meant for. So, please someone help a brother out.

    * There's Photoshop CS3, which seems to be the main product. What the 3 is that the name refers to I'm in the dark about.
    * CS3 Extended seems to be CS3 with video stuff added in.
    * Photoshop Elements is what?
    * Photoshop LightRoom is what?
    * What am I missing?

    The person I'm buying for is into photography and takes tons of pictures and now some video too. I don't think he'd want to do any heavy image manipulation, just tweaks on photos and maybe editing of video.
     
    #1 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  2. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    be a friend and buy them all
     
    #2 chow_yun_fat, Dec 21, 2007
  3. Yonkers

    Yonkers Member

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    CS stands for Creative Suite. It includes Photoshop and other products too like Illustrator, etc. '3' just means it's version 3 of that product line. Back then they sold Photoshop and others as separate products. Now they are bundled.
    Elements is the product that comes bundled with cameras etc. It's their lower-end consumer product. Does very good work but does not have all the features professionals might want.
    Lightroom is a workflow type of product. Helps professionals go through their photos quickly and organize them etc. Not really for regular consumer.
     
    #3 Yonkers, Dec 21, 2007
  4. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Alright, I think I'm starting to get it straight. One more question: he had mentioned Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro at the same time. I understand that Paint Shop Pro is the less expensive and less sophisticated competitor. Is it decent or a piece of garbage?
     
    #4 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  5. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    If it is for someone who really wants to get into using graphic software professionally etc., then don't even bother with Paint Shop Pro.
     
    #5 MR. MEOWGI, Dec 21, 2007
  6. Yonkers

    Yonkers Member

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    If you want cheap you can use GIMP for free. http://www.gimp.org/
    Otherwise, stick with the industry standard Photoshop. I love that application.
     
    #6 Yonkers, Dec 21, 2007
  7. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Free software is not much of a present. Actually, I think he probably uses Gimp now.

    Meowgi, he isn't someone who is that serious the software. He's an avid amateur photographer. He's too old to take it past that. Do you think Paint Shop Pro is not a good product for someone who would use it regularly but not need deep functionality?
     
    #7 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  8. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    And why can I only find CS3 Extended for a student discount? I can't get the standard software with a discount. Annoying.
     
    #8 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  9. Yaozer

    Yaozer Member

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    These are grown up toys.. you should go play outside with the rest of the second-graders ;) :D
     
    #9 Yaozer, Dec 21, 2007
  10. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    I would think Photoshop has more add-ons for photography. It is the industry standard.

    Here are a bunch of photo plug-ins:
    http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-plugins/Photography-plugins/Most-popular/1/

    I'm sure Jeff would know a bunch about this.
     
    #10 MR. MEOWGI, Dec 21, 2007
  11. Mango

    Mango Member

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    It is probably the same concept as other selling opportunities in the world:

    clothes
    electronics
    food
    etc

    If they are working on percentage for profits, they want to maximize their sale to you.


    Is the video editing going to remain a minor part of what he is doing or will it eventually become equal or dominant over the still photography work?
     
    #11 Mango, Dec 21, 2007
  12. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I don't know how much video -- or more specifically video-editing -- he'll do. He just got a new camera for high-res video so I imagine he'll do more video in the future than in the past.

    In any case, I went ahead and dropped the money on CS3 Extended based on this thread and my brother's advice. Now I'll suffer buyer's remorse until it's cleared from the credit card. Thanks for everyone's help.
     
    #12 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  13. Rockets Red Glare

    Rockets Red Glare Member

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    How much of a discount did you get on it?
     
    #13 Rockets Red Glare, Dec 21, 2007
  14. TraJ

    TraJ Member

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    I'm glad I read before I posted.
     
    #14 TraJ, Dec 21, 2007
  15. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    It was about $300. Adobe's site lists it at $1,000. Do most (honest) people actually pay that much?
     
    #15 JuanValdez, Dec 21, 2007
  16. Kam

    Kam Member

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    I think most people download it.
     
    #16 Kam, Dec 21, 2007
  17. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Member

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    #17 JayZ750, Mar 5, 2008
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2008
  18. LegendZ3

    LegendZ3 Member

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    Be like rest of us and just go download it off a torrent site. I don't know anyone besides the professionals has shell out 1000 bucks for a piece of software.
     
    #18 LegendZ3, Mar 5, 2008
  19. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

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    Revived thread. :)

    Now we're here to enjoy the online image-editing software.

    Those look like they will work had you left your laptop somewhere or were not at home to work on your images, and you had access to the interwebs to download some files online. Thanks, BTW, JayZ750. Nice!
     
    #19 SwoLy-D, Mar 5, 2008
  20. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    Well, Meowgi, thanks a lot. You've made me a feel like a douche for owning Paint Shop Pro 9. I'm now going to throw a puppy off a cliff just to spite you.
     
    #20 RunninRaven, Mar 5, 2008
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