What is better for a "newbie" to use PS or PS Elements?

[myapronstrings]

I usually use Microsoft Picture It but since getting a new laptop I was hoping to do a "trial" or either PS or PS Elements but was unsure which might be best before purchasing.

Any suggestions? TIA!

[schock77]

I'd try them both- you can do a trial of each... PSE is easier in my opinion for newbies (I'm still using my dinosaur version 5.0) and less expensive while still doing most anything you need.

[Angie4b1g]

PSE is definitely more user friendly. And far more affordable. And you can always upgrade later if you want.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Because I've never used Elements, I can't say which is better for a newbie. However, you can get free trials of both here: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

Just go to the drop down menu about half way down the page, and choose which you want to try first.

When I have friends who want to start, I tend to send them towards PSE. It's cheaper, it's more user-friendly to those not familiar with photo editing programs,and its' cheaper lol

[myapronstrings]

Thank you all so much! :thumbup:

I didn't know I could try both out. I think I will start with PSE and go from there...maybe that can help me meet one of my New Years scrapping "goals" ;)

And cheaper is always nice..lol

Thanks again!

[mariewilcox]

PSE 9 has several features now that only PS has had in the past, which is nice, since PSE is much more cost effective :thumbup:

[deepounds]

As a relative newbie myself, I'd definitely recommend Elements starting out. It's soooo much cheaper & easier to learn (even at that, it can be daunting at first) . . . obviously Photoshop is more powerful, but I plan to take that plunge after I've at least "sort of" mastered PSE.

Having said that, since you can get free trials of both, why not check 'em both out?!

[g8rbeckie]

go PSE, definitely. Unfortunately they work totally different (PS and PSE), so it's very confusing to try and go back and forth between the two programs. So if you're just getting started out, 30 days trial probably won't be long enough for you to even make sense of their differences!

There are some things you can only do in PS, not PSE, but there's usually some type of "work around" to achieve a similar effect in PSE. (Like text on a path, for example. you can't create text paths in PSE, but you can import them so you can buy them!).

For scrapping alone, PSE would be fine for me. However, I do a lot of photo editing and would just die without the ability to create and use actions, another capability in PS only, not PSE. An action is a way to "record" a series of steps and repeat them with just the click of a button. But the cost is HUGE for PS. :(

[profiler_mar]

I say PSE definitely. I LOVE photo actions but I have tons of them for PSE. ;) And the only thing I have been really sad I can't do in PSE is manipulate shadows more. But there are several great shadow layer styles out there that make this no big deal as well. The ease of use and the low cost make PSE a newbie's BFF!