Before I made this decision I looked for weeks at other image processing applications. The free and highly acclaimed GIMP. Test versions of Corel PaintShop Pro, as well as the "new" promoted PhotoLine.
The path of PS CS5 to other programs was conceivable difficult. Certainly GIMP offers a lot and is also free of charge but the workflow as well as several missing things left me after a few days end the test. Then Corel PaintShop Pro - This program is also very nicely done and already has a lot, but I did not feel comfortable. Then I got the tip to look at PhotoLine. This program provides many features and can be a lot - especially the complete image processing on 8bit addition. But many smaller things that make me disabled in the workflow (probably because I have not really gotten myself in the six days testing it to accept something more cumbersome way) let me from this program but then refrain.
I am stuck with Photoshop Elements 10. The why I will describe in more detail at this point.
The familiarization of CS5 to PSE is low. Various functions are compared to its big brother, of course, non-existent or implemented only in a stripped-down version. In particular, the dialogue for edge enhancement, as it exists in CS5, I miss in PSE already.
But so far, much was possible from the beginning I did not think it was possible with such an affordable program of this quality.
The content-aware Spot Healing brush is also very well done and important as the many other tools also. Although the program was obviously optimized for laypeople and designed for hobbyists, can achieve professional results with good and acceptable effort.
Now I own the tool a few weeks and until the day I noticed that the program on the image processing beyond everything offers added value.
So far, I concentrated solely on the image editing - this is fun, provides excellent results and is a major triumph. A good workflow for me is possible.
The other options I had in front of something outside, because I was only interested in a good image editing.
The wizard, in particular assistants Photomerge series are very helpful and take off a lot of Eben work - the results have been always perfect.
Also the Liquify dialog is - tucked under Filter -> Distort -> Liquify - available and can be used well.
And the slide show function is also worth view, although I used another program here. But I caught myself at it, let fix also create a simple slide show from a few (about 20) images from Photoshop Elements ... And everyone was happy :-)
And I discovered yesterday, how many beautiful ways PSE provides, quickly, easily and present with many layouts photos online - either for your website or to possess free via Photoshop Showcase online without your own homepage.
What amazes me: Even the option under "Revise" -> "Intelligent AutoCorrect" in many cases already excellent results and bring as underexpose images out a lot. However, I prefer to prefer the manual adjustment via Levels & Co.
Batch processing is also great to (name rename, resize, convert, add Corrections [tone, contrast, color, sharpening], watermarks) to work with a blow pictures. Although I have only been scaling and renaming took advantage of this function ...
I am completely thrilled and happy with Photoshop Elements.
=== === My personal conclusion
Moving from CS5 to PSE has fallen heavily. But he was right and necessary. Meanwhile, I am so far that I say that you loose 95% (maybe I should say for the sake of security 90%) of what CS5 allows can implement with PSE; perhaps with a little more effort than its big brother.
The advantages of Photoshop Elements are for me obvious. It is not just a stripped down version of Photoshop CS, but Photoshop. Many functions are hidden and can be made using the plugin element + even "visible" and useful.
That these represent in Photoshop Elements under the hood is a Photoshop, allows you to open from .psd files of its big brother. Under the hood thus operates a sophisticated program that will make even the most ambitious hobbyists happy.
Many tutorials Photoshop CS5 can also be run through with PSE. Only now and then minimal changes in workflow are needed in order to work through a tutorial can. Whenever functions are used that are not available in PSE. But the "normal" use is rarely the case.
PSE is thus not a weak copy of its big brother, but a full-fledged image editing, which also provides an excellent organizer for photos and video and value-added in the form of good assistants and the provision of photos on websites or online services. And who is on frames or clipart objects, will get his money.
ICC profiles that are supported, is obvious.
To enumerate all the highlights would be something demands a lot.
With PSE can be numerous photo editing programs automate: panorama creation, group pictures, scene cleanup, HDR - all deliver great results.
The levels incl. Layer masks are intuitive to use and leave no wishes unfulfilled.
The repairs on the repair and content sensitive area Healing Brush and the Clone Stamp tool is very possible.
Render filters
Usability of Photoshop plugins (I use here, especially near the Image Noise Reduction)
...
At first, I wrote that the transition from the big brother I found it hard.
Now - after a few weeks - I say that Photoshop Elements is a highly successful image processing is a good value. Beginners are pleased with guided wizard and a good help function and even advanced users also will not soon reach their limits; especially since there are also very good video courses that are enormously helpful (eg video2brain or Galileo Design).
I will not soon afterwards mourn the CS5 and am happier user of Photoshop Elements.
=== A small note for plugin Elements +: ===
Is the Internet always the element +, which for about 10, - EUR is to have recommended. This is to some functions "unlock" that exist in the big brother. Here I was interested mainly Graduationskurven, grouping levels, the automatic alignment of Ebeben, smart objects and filters, as well as some scripts.
And indeed - with this plugin, it is possible. However, not always what you'd expect ... While many things are very well done as the Graduationskurven, the automatic alignment of the levels, the Luminanzschärfen, opacity of the plane area, etc. - they all work very well and intuitively.
Just grouping the levels here cumbersome and of little use for someone who is used to working with groups, as these can be controlled only rudimentary in a separate dialog.
Likewise possible rudimentary and not for any filter is working with smart objects and filters - so I do not take this option.
With Elements + also control works dynamics on Mac computers; under not Windows. As you well in PSE but the pictures can (also .jpg) in the RAW converter open, the dynamics can be controlled here as well.
But for 10, - will be a lot of the more obvious, and I must say that I the functions extensively used only at the beginning and so far used by Elements + nothing because I myself was able to optimize everything so well with Photoshop Elements 10, as I it wished ...
However, the 10, - really not much, it is good PSE increased by some functions. However, one must at groups and smart objects and filters do not expect too much; for me, these two options are useless. However some contagious value in it, for few euros, even though I did not need anything so far extensively use them ...
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