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Home: Video University Forums: Adobe Photoshop for Video:
Photoshop

 
 


STOUTHEARTED
User


Mar 13, 2005, 11:54 PM

Post #1 of 10 (2517 views)
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Photoshop Can't Post
I've been trying to expand my photo montage skills lately and have been really handicapped by my image editing software. I'm currently just using Microsoft Picture it! 7 that came bundled with my aging computer. I am desperately in need of an upgrade here. What am I gaining by going with PS 8.0 as opposed as the significantly less expensive PS Elements 3.0? I really don't want to buy more than I need here. Just looking to get more creative in Vegas...I'm not a still guy.


gl
Veteran

Mar 14, 2005, 12:34 AM

Post #2 of 10 (2502 views)
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Re: [STOUTHEARTED] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
I would definitly go with PS CS. There is so much more you can do. If you are interested, I can get you a copy of pretty cheap. PM me if so.

gl

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” ~ Abraham Lincoln


ppatton
User

Mar 14, 2005, 6:43 AM

Post #3 of 10 (2464 views)
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Re: [STOUTHEARTED] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
Like GL said photoshop CS does considerably more than elements. But elements 3 does consideragly more than what you are using we have both.


Laura K
Veteran


Mar 14, 2005, 8:09 AM

Post #4 of 10 (2440 views)
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Re: [STOUTHEARTED] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
It's worth it to buy the CS. Once you have made the initial investment upgrades aren't to bad.
L
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"... it seems that if you're passionate about something, it freaks people out. You're considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are." - director Tim Burton


Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.


RustyB
Veteran


Mar 14, 2005, 11:25 AM

Post #5 of 10 (2391 views)
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Re: Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
Other than removing red-eye, and cropping(if you're not just doing that in the montage editor), what are you guys doing to the pictures that requires CS? I don't do a LOT of photo montages, but when I do, I normally just fix red-eye, or the rare color correction using the automatic settings. Photo montages just don't pay enough to spend hours on. I really doubt I could charge more by putting more work into them, but who knows.

If I scan the pictures myself, there's no need for cropping/rotating. If I receive the pictures in digital, then I do have to crop/rotate them sometimes. And on some of the really old childhood photos, I'll remove stains from pictures, but even in Elements that only takes a few seconds.

I've played around with trying to make "3-D" stuff by layering still images in Vegas, but haven't done anything that came out right, and couldn't imagine doing it for a whole photo montage. Not at my current prices and workload anyways. Maybe when I make the big cash and start making over $7000 a year in wedding video. LOL! Tongue

Elements also does a great job with DVD case cover inserts, DVD surfaces, DVD menus, etc. If you've got the cash to buy professional by all means do it. If all you can afford is Elements, you'll still be okay; it's way better than most of the other freebie image editors.

Good luck!




the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production


Stoney
User


Mar 14, 2005, 12:58 PM

Post #6 of 10 (2371 views)
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Re: [STOUTHEARTED] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
If you can afford PS pro, then go for it because there is so much you can do with it. If Elements will work for you, then why spend the extra money unless you think you might want to go further than Elements can take you. If its just down to money, then there are a couple of free "photoshop like" programs out there. I think this one does a really nice job http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/...hotoPlus/default.asp
for a free program. Also the makers of DVDLab, www.mediachance.com has a "PS" type program that is called Real Draw Pro. It has got some great reviews and is only $55. I use their DVDLab program and love it.
Just some alternatives. Good luck.
Stoney
LE 6.1, DVC-80, GL-1 & TRV900


Laura K
Veteran


Mar 14, 2005, 8:34 PM

Post #7 of 10 (2328 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
PS CS is good for lots of stuff Rusty.

I charge $4 a pic. I will correct some red eye and do a lot of dust and scratches, I'll crop, do some color correction, remove unwanted X-family members, do extractions for 3-D and often do some filters to ad some neat effects for added impact. I'm of the opinion that if you are just laying them down, that you aren't doing anything better than what a lot of photographers are doing now. I want my montages to be different enough that they sell themselves.

PS can make awesome titles and graphics for your movies. It's great for setting up credits when what you are doing warrants it. I do a lot of work for my dvd menues in PS that I could never do in Vegas or any other program for that matter.

You can make great lower thirds and other graphics for your movies. Vegas uses PS files as they are so it's great.
I make my covers in PS.

I also have Elements. We have it installed on the third puter that the kids use for stuff. Even my daughter finds it too limited to work in after her experiences with Photoshop. I guess it's just one of those things. Also, it is absolutely the top image editor hands down in our industry and the graphics industry.

So if you can swing it at all PS is the way to go in my book. Elements is fine, albeit limited.
L
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"... it seems that if you're passionate about something, it freaks people out. You're considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are." - director Tim Burton


Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.


jamessmurphy623
User


Mar 15, 2005, 7:36 AM

Post #8 of 10 (2300 views)
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Re: [Laura K] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
Laura, what are some of the things you can't do in Elements that you can do in CS? Thanks, Jim

PD 150, VX2000, GL1, Vegas 8, DVDA3


Laura K
Veteran


Mar 15, 2005, 9:03 AM

Post #9 of 10 (2294 views)
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Re: [jamessmurphy623] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
Well what I can do might be attributed to the fact that I have been using the product for 6 years. Let me just put it to you this way, if you could do everything you wanted to in Elements why would CS be on the market?

Check this out...

Adobe Photoshop CS

L
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"... it seems that if you're passionate about something, it freaks people out. You're considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are." - director Tim Burton


Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.


sal
Enthusiast


Mar 15, 2005, 1:09 PM

Post #10 of 10 (2278 views)
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Re: [jamessmurphy623] Photoshop [In reply to] Can't Post
There are no masks in elements. Crazy

Masking by itself makes CS worth it for me. I don't know how I could work without masks. Another important tool that I always use and it's missing in elements is curves. Curves(for me) is perhaps the strongest color correction tool in photoshop.

Besides photomontages, I also use PS for designing dvd covers and creating titles for the video.