Elements or CS4 for fish tank photography?

[Recty]

Can anyone tell me a reason I NEED CS4 over Elements for my basic fish photography? I do some basic family photographs as well and general all around shooting of whatever catches my eye, but my main subject is fish tanks.

I have Elements 7 right now and I just got an offer of an upgrade to CS4 for $299... so I'd be paying about $350 total for CS4. However, I dont know that I need it?

Anyone have any insight on that?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

If you want to do anything with video you definitely need it. I think Elements will cover most of the bases for you though. It's kind of like a 1DmkIII vs. a 50D. The 50D does a fine job at just about anything you would need...but the 1DmkIII does that much more that much better.

I would say get elements, but me...I'll be getting CS4. By the time you get comfortable with Elements to the point CS4 would really be a better option...CS6 will be out. You can always upgrade then.

 

[Recty]

That's kind of what I was coming to in my mind... I want to get the 100mm macro and if I spend $300 on CS4, that is more than half the cost of the lens, a couple hundred more and I could have the lens which I will almost assuredly get more use out of than I will out of CS4 vs Elements.

My biggest complaint with Elements is I'm having a hard time using masks, I just need to learn it better I think although CS4 sure seems to have a lot better masking abilities.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Yeah CS4 in theory should make life a lot easier. If it comes between the 100mm Macro and CS4 though...the lens should win hands down IMO.

 

[Recty]

Well I'll eventually have both, I just was thinking since CS4 was cheap right now in an offer I might as well get it.

At the same time, I'm not feeling too much like Elements is restricting me, so I'm not sure I need CS4

 

[Tremont]

I really like actions (let's you automate custom stuff easily) in CS4 which you don't get elements. I currently use elements at home and CS4 at work - I find myself bringing my hobby to work often

I think it's one of those things just like getting a DSLR. If you know why you need it, you should probably get it. If you don't know why you need it, you should probably hold off.

-Tre

 

[91yota]

ive got CS4... i had CS3 on my other laptop before it crashed.... still learning to use it but the options seem endless

 

[Reef Bass]

I'm ok with Elements so far. When I outgrow it, I'm contemplating Lightroom.

 

[Recty]

Well I went ahead and bought CS4 tonight, downloading now... should have all 814MB in about 2 hours

I just couldnt pass it up for $300, I figure I wont see that price again for a long time so I might as well get it now.

ALL the tutorials I read are about CS4, I have a lot harder time finding tutorials written for Elements.

And I enjoy learning software, so this will give me something to do for a long time

 

[Recty]

Hmmm wow, that actually downloaded fast, I got it in a little under an hour.

 

[Reef Bass]

Awesome Recty. That should keep you busy for a while. I look forward to seeing your name on more of your fishes.

And if you happen to come up with some reasons why I should upgrade from Elements, please let me know.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Cheers! I want it!

 

[Recty]

It's interesting... things are placed differently than in Elements. I only had Elements a couple months, so I was just finally used to where all the tools are and now I've got to relearn Anyone who works with Microsoft Office products and has gone to version 2007 knows what I'm talking about...

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I hate 2007. I feel like the clueless old people who ask me how to use their electronics. I want my drop down text menus back! Icons are stupid!

 

[Recty]

Exactly... and I have to support it. It's hell.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Ewww that sucks. Office 2007 still drives me crazy to this day. I dug Office 2003 out to replace it...though 2007 is still installed..

 

[Reef Bass]

Like the new avatar Recty. Sorry you have to support Office 2007. I put off the upgrade simply because 2003 was working fine for me and I'm not unhappy I did that. Don't worry, Office 2009 or 2010 will be out soon and I'm SURE they took care of ALL the issues, right!?!?!

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I hope they take AWAY the icons and give us drop down menues! Grrrrr

I feel like I'm reading a kindergarten book looking for a picture of a cow or a goat.

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14473307#post14473307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef Bass
I'm ok with Elements so far. When I outgrow it, I'm contemplating Lightroom.

You should actually own both. They do different things.

Elements (and PS) are pixel editors. LR is a RAW converter, cataloging, sorting, image repository application.

 

[Reef Bass]

Ah, that's the kind of insight I was looking for. Thank you.

Does LR track changes, beyond the current session? For example, keeping an Undo History that survives closing the image and is available the next time the image is opened?