Has anyone tried Adobe Photoshop Elements 13?

[Deleted]

After weeks of trying to capture the true color of some yarn, I may throw in the towel and actually purchase photo editing software.  I've heard that Photoshop can be a difficult learning curve but the write up says Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 is an easier version.  I have wasted so much time trying to edit pictures for color, then trying to get each picture to match the other that if the software would help I need to consider the time value of money.

If you've tired it and like or hate it please post here....

As a side note - In pictures there is always at least one grandkid that looks crazy.  It also shows that you can put the head from another picture on the offender.  This could be a plus.

Thanks

[RetroMonde]

Have you tried taking the picture with your cell phone camera? Sometimes when I can't get the colors right the phone camera gets it the 1st time. Just a suggestion. I haven't used any of the Photoshop programs except in a photo editing class; usually I use GIMP but it's a PITA to learn too.

Sandra

[val2525]

I have the Photoshop 2014 monthly subscription deal. I was amazed at how much better my pictures were in the new program, vs my very old Photoshop (from about 2003). Same camera, same lighting, only thing changed was the editing program.

[unknown]

Add me to the list of people who use the Gimp, free, open source photo/graphics editing program.

[val2525]

My experience with Gimp is it has a long learning curve, and it sorta clunky (IMO). Drove me nuts trying to figure out. I decided I'd rather pay the PS monthly subscription fee and save time.

I tried Picasa, which is also free, but it's missing some features that I use in PS, so it was a no-go too. But it was easier to figure out than Gimp.

Someone suggested pixlr.com to me, it's pretty good too. There is a free version, program is web-based.

[unknown]

Picasa is awesome for quick fixes, cropping and managing your pics if you keep 'em on your computer. I know the windows version has more options but it's no way as powerful as a full graphics editor like gimp or photoshop. Guess I've been using gimp so long that clunky doesn't bother me.

There is no way I would shell out any cash at any time to pay adobe for ANYTHING.

[thekloset]

I use elements (11 I think, not the newest) and I much prefer it to photoshop. I have both but PS not only has a huge learning cure but imo, is bloated with stuff I don't need and will never use....it really is a professional program, and you almost need a course to use it to its fullest. its definitely overkill for some ebay pictures.

elements DOES still have a learning curve but its a bit more intuitive and geared more to the home user--a lot of scrapbookers use it. its still a pretty powerful little program....what I've found is that it has most of the capabilities of PS. imo, its a bargain for the price and its robust enough for most anyone.

but I use elements because that's what I've always used, since back when it was on floppy disks. I almost had a nervous breakdown when i upgraded my computer and got stuck with windows 8 and the older versions weren't compatible...i literally jumped in the car as soon as i couldn't install and bought the newest version at staples ;-)

everyone is right that there are free options available that can do the same thing.

its really just personal preference.

[Deleted]

Most of the time, I use the basic editing software that came with my old camera, but to do some fancier things like draw arrows to flaws, type text on photos, delete something in the background, I use the free website sumopaint.com. No need to even download any software when using that. Again, there's a learning curve, but if you google what you want to do along with sumopaint or whatever editing program you're using, you can generally find a tutorial. Takes some patience to learn how to use any of them.

[Deleted]

I love photoshop, used it for years to edit pics as a side income. I didn't find it had that much of a learning curve. It was pretty easy to figure out and it was awesome. Had it about six years and when my harddrive crashed I lost my program. Since it was so old they said it wasn't replaceable. Almost cried. Since then I've tried all of the free ones but find them harder to use than photoshop was. I gave up on trying to get exact colors, they won't be exact once you change monitors (like on a buyers monitor vs mine) anyways so I just get it close as I can with a slight tweak on my camera software and call it good.

I did try elements years ago right after losing photoshop, I liked it better than the free programs but didn't like it as well as regular photoshop. Didn't seem as intuitive or something. Couldn't get the hang of it so just used the free trial and didn't bother buying it.

[Deleted]

I am too technically dumb to use Photoshop. But I used to have Elements and could do good things with it. I could never learn layers though and could never remove the background. Maybe that's what layers was. It was wonderful for adjusting colors.

I can't learn GIMP either.

I really like the editing software that's built into my win7 laptop. I also try changing the camera settings from auto to the one where you can sort of control the lighting. Yep, a real techie here, lol.

[chapeaunoir]

I'm OK with computers, I used to do Mac support and programmed in Visual Basic, but I can't grasp 'layers.'