[thegroove]

I need a fairly easy to use, but good, photo editor. Will be used for basic functions like organizing, red eye fix, lighting fix, sending to family, printing, and some touch ups and crops. Nothing too elaborate. I would like to have one good program to rely on for all my photos I take and print.
Is there any reason to buy the highly rated Adobe Elements 4.0 vs. just using a free program like Picasa2 (which I like)?

[slipe]

If you have no intention of learning to use the features it would be a waste to buy an advanced program. But Elements will do a lot more than Picasa, which is a free viewer and image organizer with some limited editing abilities.

You are familiar with Picasa. If it is doing everything you need and you don’t want to do more I would think it is the perfect program for you. Elements is easier than Photoshop or Gimp, but it still has a learning curve.

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by scottyr

Is there any reason to buy the highly rated Adobe Elements 4.0 vs. just using a free program like Picasa2 (which I like)?

Yes - Get a trial from Adobe and play with the Levels Adjust, Auto fix tools and the Shadow/Highlite tool - to start with.
I think I saw APE 4.0 at Sams Club for $69

[linskyjack]

I think that Noyb's recommendation is the best-----you wont know till you try. Picasa is excellent for organizing and quickly sending your photos. It allows you to do some corrections, crop, etc. Elements gives you a whole lot more but there is a learning curve.

[bkdc]

If you go the PSE route, Photo Shop Elements for Dummies is an excellent learning book. I have PSE-3 & the dummie book was very helpful. I'm not sure if the PSE-4 dummie book is out yet but, if it is it would be $20 well spent.

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

...Elements gives you a whole lot more but there is a learning curve.

Just one problem - the learning curve is probably longer than the trial period.
But the automatic fix tools are easy.

[chatterjee]

As you mentioned that you don't want to do more than "basic functions like organizing, red eye fix, lighting fix, sending to family, printing, and some touch ups and crops",I think it wouldn't be wise to invest a fair amount of money in Adobe Elements 4.0.Picassa2 is simply great,and it comes gratis.So, I think you should go for Picassa2 as it gives you all the features you wanted in theirs true colours.

[michael_jii]

Originally Posted by scottyr

I need a fairly easy to use, but good, photo editor. Will be used for basic functions like organizing, red eye fix, lighting fix, sending to family, printing, and some touch ups and crops. Nothing too elaborate. I would like to have one good program to rely on for all my photos I take and print.
Is there any reason to buy the highly rated Adobe Elements 4.0 vs. just using a free program like Picasa2 (which I like)?

heya scotty R. I've tried both, and for the features mentioned above, picasa is perfect, i've never had any issues or complaints, and wouldn't pay $60 for something similar if you only really want to use it for the things you mentioned.. i'm with chatterjee.

[Noyb]

As far as the great Image viewer/editor freeware debate - you might want to see suggestions #20 - #21 here ...
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best..._utilities.htm

You asked about PSE 4.0. It's my opinion, that for the average photographer hobbyist, PSE 4.0 will do about 90% of what the professional Photoshop CS program will do for about 10% of the price.

[linskyjack]

LOL---just thought of something---Download Picasa--play with it and see if it is enough for your needs! Its free !

[buck52]

Howdy

I hate to keep beating a dead or alive horse but...

anyone looking for a free graphics program that does not get PSP7 and try it...is ...as the saying goes...missing the boat...

It is very powerful and there are a bazillion tutorials available for it

It's mentioned in this thread... http://forums.techguy.org/digital-ph...-software.html ... as well as many others

buck

[thegroove]

Wow, thanks for all the advise every one. First time I have asked a question in a forum, and I love the responses. Lot's of smart people out there reading this, I guess.
Regarding the free Picasa2 vs. Adobe Elements 4.0, sounds like a Picasa2 or one of the other freebees would do the trick for me, but I was wondering if Elements does any of the easy stuff (red eye fix, color fix, croping, etc...) any better than a Picasa2? For instance, I heard that Elements takes out the red eye automatically....that's worth some thing. Thanks.

[chatterjee]

I completely agree with linskyjack's suggestion.You SHOULD download a copy of Picasa2 from the net and give it a try.If you feel that it's features aren't able to satisfy you(I hope ti will amaze you) then go for Adobe Elements.My point is-Why should you pay hundreds of bucks,when there is somethig almost similar?

Download link: http://picasa.google.co.in/

[thegroove]

Hi. I can buy the Adobe "bundle" of Elements 4.0 plus Premiere 2.0 for only $69 (after rebate, at Best Buy). So, it's not hundreds of dollars.....

[chatterjee]

Ok,it's nearly $70.What should it have been said...... 'a few dollars'?????