Advice on what to buy please....

[inishindie]

Hi All

I was wondering if someone could help with a decision I have to make.

I work freelance for a local newspaper taking a few photographs now and then when they are really busy. The office needs to have something that can read FILE INFO on the images and they use Photoshop. I am using a Canon editing suite but this doesn't seem to work on their computers. I would therefore need a Photoshop program to be compatable. Would Photoshop Elements be the one to go for? I need the File Info to work and maybe I would use it for the odd image improvement - the lads in the office do all of the technical stuff....

Cheers

Ian

[igjoe]

I guess it depends on how in depth you want to get... Honestly as a photographer myself, I think the full photoshop program is worth the money.

It's hard to give you exact advice one way or the other because you are the only one who knows exactly how you want to use the program. My best advice then would be to go to adobe.com and read the features of both photoshop and photoshop elements and decide from there. Another thing I do when I am looking to buy something is read user reviews from amazon.com or any other site I can find. Best of luck finding what you need!

[inishindie]

Cheers Igjoe

I suppose what I am looking for (not being a technical photographer)is the less costly method of filling in the FILE INFO for the gang down at the paper office. If I could have it compatable with my existing program I would be happy. Is Elements the less costly program to do the basics or is there something even more basic that would suit?

I might get into the Ohotoshop techniques at some stage, then I can upgrade, but for now I would like simplicity....

Cheers

Ian

[igjoe]

Ok, I did some quick research. It appears the photoshop elements will not delete your photo's data (EXIF Metadata is what you are talking about I believe)

Check out this website to see that they fixed an older version of PS Elements so it won't delete the information
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewCon ... d=kb400653

Also, there appears to be another option which would probably be the cheapest way to go. You can download a program that will gather your EXIF Metadata before you edit the photos so you won't lose that information.

Here is an example of one of those programs: http://www.download.com/Exifer/3000-219 ... ?tag=mncol

Here is a list of possible others: http://search.techrepublic.com.com/sear ... adata.html

Take a look around and figure out what would work best for you. Best of luck!

[Medley]

I recommend going with Photoshop Elements. It is not only compatible with the P.S version, it is nearly identical. The only thing that Elements lacks is the editing History ( also known as the History log) of the image.

Also, any templates that the newspaper has for the Photoshop file info will work in Elements as well. You can also create your own templates, which beats the heck out of manually inputting the info every time.

You can probably find a cheaper way to do it, but maximizing compatibility with your coworkers, and using one of the most recognizable formats are definite pluses, and I don't think you'll regret having Elements. It's well worth the money.

- Joe U.

[inishindie]

Hi Medley and Igjoe

I have bought Photoshop Elements from their website...... I tried to do something with the other programmes but they kept crashing on me.... I don't have much patience when it comes to iffy programmes and Elements does have a feeling of stability and quality about it (although it's slow on my computer but that's an incentive to upgrade)

I sent off a couple of photo's to the lads in the paper with the File Info on it and they are happy.... they need to have this information on hand for when they file the photo's and want to use them in the future, especially people, it saves tham having to go out and take new pics all of the time.

Thanks for your wise words and advice

Regads

Ian