Adobe/elements? Start with what?

[Martin Wilson]

To anyone who can help me start off with mind blowing ranges of soft wear.
Having never used anything other than Picasa, I see so many of you using Adobe "Photoshop" I have heard of Elements but have no idea what I should start off with, I have the very basic skills, but would like to enhance and try to develop skills in this field, if Elements is the right track could you give me some advice to a good starting point.
I have had a shifty at the question asked by (Gue Jam Foswid) concerning "Adobe Query" dated 07/01/2007 and some of the answers but am left in a ponder..to start with what?
I am just a little with it all.
Many thanks.
Martin

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Martin Wilson

To anyone who can help me start off with mind blowing ranges of soft wear.
Having never used anything other than Picasa, I see so many of you using Adobe "Photoshop" I have heard of Elements but have no idea what I should start off with, I have the very basic skills, but would like to enhance and try to develop skills in this field, if Elements is the right track could you give me some advice to a good starting point.
I have had a shifty at the question asked by (Gue Jam Foswid) concerning "Adobe Query" dated 07/01/2007 and some of the answers but am left in a ponder..to start with what?
I am just a little with it all.
Many thanks.
Martin

if i were you i would buy a copy of photoshop elements 5 - this is a fraction of the cost of full CS2 and will probably do everything you need - it costs about 50 notes but you might find it cheaper on the net if you shop arround

if you cant afford this look for GIMP, the GNU Image Manipultion Programme , which is a free download from the gnu soft site - it'll do 95% of what PSE will do which is probably everything you need when you are starting out.

[RobSutton]

I guess that one advantage of using elements is that you'll become familiar with the tools and commands that the full photoshop version uses - most experienced photographers end up using it.

[MalcolmX]

i am surprised that you did not get an elements bundle with your printer soft ware

if you need an elements pm me with your address and i will send you a disc (elemets4 i think i have )

[Paul mabbott]

I wouldn't go for anything that you have to pay for nor anything that produces the problems that the big commercial programmes seem to cause. There is an excellent free programme IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide which can do most anything you want - use it as a starter and if you find you need other facilities at least you will have the basics of manipulation and will have an idea what to look for later?

Originally Posted by Martin Wilson

To anyone who can help me start off with mind blowing ranges of soft wear.
Having never used anything other than Picasa, I see so many of you using Adobe "Photoshop" I have heard of Elements but have no idea what I should start off with, I have the very basic skills, but would like to enhance and try to develop skills in this field, if Elements is the right track could you give me some advice to a good starting point.
I have had a shifty at the question asked by (Gue Jam Foswid) concerning "Adobe Query" dated 07/01/2007 and some of the answers but am left in a ponder..to start with what?
I am just a little with it all.
Many thanks.
Martin

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I nor anything that produces the problems that the big commercial programmes seem to cause.....

could you give us more info on which problems you mean ? I havce been running pSE for ages without a hitch but would like to upgrade to lightroom when it is finalised - but not at the cost of major issues with the PC

[Martin Wilson]

Thanks Eeyore.
I will give this a gander. Photo/elements is a good starting point as Rob says it may lead to using the full version.
Martin

[Martin Wilson]

Rob Sutton.
Yep the way forward Rob..gotta walk before I can run and as you have pointed out it will lead to greater knowledge and understanding of the full version.
Cheers Rob.
Martin

[Martin Wilson]

MalcolmX
Thanks Malcolm will see what pans out, the offer is greatly appreciated.
Martin

[Martin Wilson]

Paul Mabbott.
Thank you for all the advice....my problem is that I live in the Sticks and rely on a dial up
and in the past I have tried unsuccessfully to upload programs and the like so at the moment I am tending to stay away from that approach.
But thanks for the reply and I will keep the addresses for future use.
Martin