Moving to CC

[davidedric]

At some point I'm sure I will make the move to CC. This is principally for the Lightroom subscription, since as has been pointed out several times, if you keep up with the latest versions of software, which I do, you are getting Photoshop for almost nothing.

I also currently have PSE11, which I don't use enough to be expert in. My question is, if I invest in CC, is there any point at all in keeping PSE11 on the desktop? I think this boils down to whether the extra complexity of Photoshop is likely to overwhelm a novice PSE use, or whether the transition would be smooth.

Another reason for thinking along these lines is that I really ought/want to expand my types of photography, home studio for example, in which case the full Photoshop may make sense.

I know I can download the trial, but I would appreciate any pearls from you folks.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

When I upgraded to CS5 (or 6) from Elements 8 (I think), although there was an initial period where I did some quick edits in Elements (say of someone else's photo for CiC), I then decided to learn PS CS - and since then, I haven't gone back. Once you get proficient enough, why remember two ways to do things in different apps that achieve the same result. (rhetorical question)

Also, PS CS did more stuff in 16 bit than Elements could, maintaining better quality in workflow.

I now have CC, and although I tried LR, as it was available free, I haven't got on with it - perhaps that's just a (lack of) perseverance problem though

Cheers, Dave

[Loose Canon]

There is nothing that I am aware of that you can do in PSE that can’t be done in PS Dave. Once you get a good foothold in PS I think you will find that there will no longer be a need for PSE.

I have a couple of versions of PSE on my computer but their shortcuts are not on my dock.

Like Dave H., LR and I don’t mix very well and though I keep it on my computer (since its free with a PS subscription) it never sees the light of day.

I couldn’t do a lot of the types of photography I enjoy doing without PS. Especially studio work.

[HaseebM]

I have PSE 9, PSP X6 Ultimate but after installing PS CC, I rarely use them. However they do come in handy for things like preset backgrounds and for Topaz plug-ins etc.,

Hope you have an adequately powerful computer.

[rpcrowe]

I don't like Photoshop Elements at all and like Lightroom even less.

I realize that I am in a minority regarding the above two programs but, neither works within my way of doing things.

As I said before, probably redundantly, I tend to lose my images when PSE and/or Lightroom files these images for me. I fully realize that this is operator error however, since I do very well using Photoshop CS6 (which I own) incorporated with Bridge and don't intend to upgrade to CC, I am quite happy in working in my own happy way (and never misplacing any of my thousands of images).

I have both NIK and Perfect Photo Suite as Photoshop plug-ins and am extremely happy with that combination. I will keep upgrading my NIK and Perfect Photo Suite.

It's not a case of money, it is a factor of which combination of editing programs suits my needs better.

[DanK]

You will need some time to learn Photoshop, CC or not. However, once you know your way around, I can't see why you would want Elements.

I dislike the subscription model, but I have to admit that I have found CC very convenient; it tells me when updates are available, and so it is always there, in its most current version.

[Clactonian]

Pleased I made the move to CC last year as an already avid user of LR and CS6. Whether or not I get bitten by increased costs in the future remains to be seen but as I have regularly updated LR from it's inception it seemed a good deal.
I do all my cataloguing and initial edits in LR but use CC and SE Pro for more sophisticated edits as and when required.
There are some great free tutorials online for CC and I'm sure you will quickly master the basics as an Elements user.