Photoshop Elements 7 vs. Photoshop CS4

For more than a decade and a half, Adobe Photoshophas been the gold standard for digital photo editing. For the average consumer, however, Photoshop CS4’s price tag of about $700 is particularly steep, as is the learning curve for beginners.

The good news: for those of us who are both financially strapped and technically challenged, Adobe solves both issues with Photoshop Elements.

Now in version 7 (new features in version 8 listed below), Photoshop Elements is Adobe’s photo-editing software for amateur photographers and photo enthusiasts. Elements has many of Photoshop’s features without being too overwhelming to the novice. It has a helpful guided editing mode that walks users through basic photo adjustments. It also has automated features to simplify many tasks, such as posting to online photo galleries and stitching multiple photos to create panoramas.

The user interface is friendly to beginners, but not dumbed-down to the point of frustrating experienced users. Photoshop Elements also includes a photo organizer, drag & drop photo creation layouts and artwork, and many sharing options, including the ability to store and share photos online, making it an excellent choice as an all-in-one solution.

What’s included in Photoshop Elements 7

Photoshop Elements has everything most people need to organize, edit and share digital photos. Here is a rundown of its features:

• The Organizer and Editor are divided into activity-based tabs where you can Organize, Fix, Create, and Share photos.
• Quick Fix lets you crop, fix red eye, adjust lighting and color, and sharpen with a before/after view.
• Standard editing tools for correcting and enhancing photos, drawing, painting, selecting, and adding text.
• Support for multiple layers, layer styles, and adjustment layers.
• Organizer to organize photos with keyword tags, then search and share them in Creations.
• Creations include email, slide shows, video CDs, cards, calendars, online albums, and photo layouts.
• Online backup and sharing, Photomerge Scene Cleaner, Automated Actions, Touchup Tools, Smart Brush, Surface Blur Filter.
• Enhanced: adjustable workspace brightness, text search, new guided edits, AutoPlay integration, art/templates, Camera Raw.
• Printing options: Contact Sheets, Picture Package, labels, single prints, and online services.

Which program should you buy?

Click for larger view of Photoshop workspace

A majority of people will not miss the extra features found in Photoshop. They will not miss the extra $500 or more in price either. For the photo hobbyist, Photoshop Elements has all of the features you will likely ever need.

But for professional, semi-professional and serious amateur photographers as well as those contemplating a foray into professional design, they will want the full and robust program. A knowledge and use of Photoshop will most certainly be required in the fields of photography and graphics.

Additional features in Photoshop CS4

In the features and tools that are shared, the Photoshop version usually offers more advanced options for fine tuning and control. Here are some features found in Photoshop that are not included in Elements:

• More tools and features that work with high-bit images
• Adjustments: Color Balance, Match Color
• Layer Masks, Layer Comps, and Quick Mask mode
• Some adjustment layers (curves, color balance, selective color, channel mixer)
• CMYK and LAB color modes
• Combine multiple exposures to create high dynamic range (HDR) images
• Channels Palette
• Recording custom Actions (for batch processing)
• Smart Objects, Smart Guides
• Lens Blur Filter
• Vanishing Point Tool
• Pen tool and paths palette
• Editing History Log
• Text on a path, advanced text formatting
• Advanced Layer Style manipulation
• Advanced Color Management
• Advanced web features such as rollovers and slicing
• Customizable tool presets, keyboard shortcuts, menus and workspace

Hidden features in Photoshop Elements

Having listed these missing features of Photoshop Elements, it should be pointed out that some of them, such as layer and quick masks, can be simulated through other tools in Elements. Some of the tools are actually hidden and only accessible through actions created in the full version of Photoshop. A number of add-ons and tools have been created that will allow Elements to use some of these features. Some of these add-ons can be downloaded for free.

In addition, most Photoshop-compatible Plug-ins and Filters work with Photoshop Elements. Plugins are small programs that can be opened within the main program that provide additional effects and functions to enhance digital images.

Photoshop Elements users can also take advantage of the many Photoshop tutorials found on the web, just allow for the differences between the two programs.

Update: Photoshop Elements 8 includes additional key features: Auto-analyzer, Automatic people recognition, Visual tags used in organizing photos and video, Recompose photos without distorting key subjects, Photomerge technology, and the ability to preview range of photo adjustments before choosing the best one.

Adobe product discounts for students and educators

Students, educators and educational institutions can purchase the software at significant discount by ordering from the Adobe Education Store or an Adobe Authorized Education Reseller. Discounts should apply even if you’re a part-time student, no matter what your age.

Try before you buy

Trial versions of both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements for both Macs and PCs are available for download at the Adobe website. These trial versions are fully functional but only for a limited time., usually about 30 days.