Adobe’s got it right for non-pro photo fans. Photo hobbyists have lusted after PhotoShop image editing software, but, intimidated by price and complications, not many home or small business users pull the trigger.
Adobe's recent package combines PhotoShop Elements 7, the latest light version of PhotoShop with Premier Elements 7 - video editor perfect for hobby-level, home-based and entrepreneur videographers. This latest box retails at $119 to $150. That's a far cry from the high price-point of PhotoShop.
Adobe claims it is possible to be making movies inside fifteen minutes. They're exaggerating a bit– even experienced Photoshoppers will likely noodle around for half an hour to complete a first project in Elements. The video editor is tougher, especially for those who have never messed with video.
The biggest criticism is the often repeated one: Adobe's documentation assumes user knowledge that may not be there. Their writers skip small steps -- you must perform an action repeatedly to figure it out. Nevertheless, upper beginner users can feel productive within an hour. Experienced folks catch on quicker. Once you get it, you’ll produce cool images and enhancements quickly.
Elements 7 Features
- Guided Edit - Analyzes photo and shows you how to brighten, saturate, and correct.
- Complete Edit and Quick Edit allow you to choose the level of work you attempt.
- Template/clipart catalogs.
- Organization tools – storage, cataloge, back up privileges w/Photoshop.com members option.
- Quick selection tool - easier than professional selection masks.
- Photomerge® create panoramas, replace people in groups or switch facial features.
- Borders, backgrounds, themes and effects for scrapbooks, photobooks, email and Web.
Premier Elements 7 Features
- Shares the organizer feature with Elements.
- Canned themes, titles, credits, transitions - some very generic
- Import video at a click from files, Internet, camera or CD/DVD.
- Drag and drop functionality.
- Large, clear view of video, nice thumbnails, two timelines for pinpoint editing.
- Mix audio, add soundtrack and voiceovers.
- HD - Blu-Ray capable, quick burning. Display on iPods, Sony PlayStation® Portable, and mobile phones with export presets for popular models.
What’s Good About the Adobe Photoshop Programs
Both are user friendly. Users with few skills will easily take to editing tools to fix red eyes, correct color casts, or move elements. Very enjoyable – and they'll feel artistic. The video editor can walk the user through combining clips and effects. There's lots to do and new techniques to learn. Both programs sharing functions is convenient - make a slide show and add video transitions or effects.
The Photoshop.com online membership ($50) provides 20GB storage – enough for 15,000 photos, four hours of videos or a combination. Auto online back-up, access from anywhere, online sharing. Basic membership free ( 2GB ).
What is Bad About the Adobe Photoshop Programs
The speed. Even with a fast machine, Elements and Premier make the user wait. Adobe makes large programs - and a powerful machine is required to run them.
The instant theme features in Premier are unreliable and not appropriate. Interface text isn’t adjustable and is difficult to read. Some commands are not easy to interpret. Online membership is fine for still photos, but the cost versus space ratio for videophiles doesn’t cut it.
Photoshop Elements has new tricks but still, a lumpy interface. The concern is that Adobe may keep adding stuff until it’s bloated for the average hobbyist and priced beyond comfort.
Conclusion
If the goal is to get photos off the computer and into circulation or pass them around the Internet or email, then these packages are adequate. They’re learnable, but the user might buy a how-to book.
The programs are fun. Correcting flaws, manipulating images and creating ways to share is engrossing. For those looking for a new hobby, or wanting to enhance their skills, they shold give PhotoShop Elements 7 and Premier Elements 7 a shot.
Free software trial at Adobe.
