Hmm.

[xxpaperdollxx]

I have Photoshop Elements, but I'm not sure what I'm lacking from the full version of Photoshop. A lot of the people on this board use a whole bunch of editing styles (I've seen the word 'curve' used before), and I don't know what to do.

Have I missed a major tutorial? I feel so lost in the program. I've started to get a little better, but I am pretty much stuck on just using the paintbrush, automatic colour adjustments and the different filters that you can just click and apply.

I'm very, very lost. I want to become so much more familiar with this program, but I feel like maybe I don't have enough to work with and perhaps I need the full version (which is, unfortunately, extremely expensive).

Argh! Help...

[Doug Nelson]

Elements is missing some features from the full version, but I wouldn't go buying the full version until you're comfortable with Elements. Buy a good basic Elements howto book (the Mikkel Aaland book comes highly recommended).

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by xxpaperdollxx

I have Photoshop Elements, but I'm not sure what I'm lacking from the full version of Photoshop. A lot of the people on this board use a whole bunch of editing styles (I've seen the word 'curve' used before), and I don't know what to do.

Have I missed a major tutorial? I feel so lost in the program. I've started to get a little better, but I am pretty much stuck on just using the paintbrush, automatic colour adjustments and the different filters that you can just click and apply.

I'm very, very lost. I want to become so much more familiar with this program, but I feel like maybe I don't have enough to work with and perhaps I need the full version (which is, unfortunately, extremely expensive).

Argh! Help...

Welcome, Jessica:

Doug's advice is very sound. I, too, would recommend getting started with Elements. If you started with Photoshop and decided it wasn't for you or was just plain overkill, recovering your $599 investment would be exceptionally difficult.

If you find that you are limited by Elements, you can always step up to Photoshop.

Your question inspired me to do a little research, which I posted here:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photoshop-elements-help/10281-elements-vs-photoshop.html

I hope this helps...

~Danny~

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Jessica, Welcome to RP.

As Doug says, there are several features in PS that are not available in Elements.

More specifically, and answering some of your other posts, Elements does not have Channels, Curves, or Layer Masks.

Channels looks individually at the Red, Blue, and Green information contained in your image, it displays as a Greyscale (Black & White) image for each.

Curves is a multi-use tool, similar to Levels (which is available in Elements) but more versatile.

Layer Masks are a way of limiting effects on a layer to areas not covered by the mask.

There are work arounds for many of the tools that Elements does not have, and many who cannot afford or do not wish to buy PS have had great results from buying and using Richard Lynch's, Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements.

If you are a complete novice, then your first buy should be a good book, I can't personally recommend any for Elements, but there is a review section here at RP, and I'm sure there will be recommendations there. If not post a request, I'm sure there are many members here who will be able to recommend one.