Photoshop advice sought

[Alan Crawford]

Hi there,
I have started using Dreamweaver to design basic web pages and need a photo editing software package - I presume Photoshop which I have used happily a few times, is the leader in the field so (1) Am I right? (2) Which is the best version to buy - got a bit confused when searching as there seem to be so many (3) I've used a bit but am no expert can anyone recommend a good user manual?

Cheers,
Al

[Balin64]

Hi there,
I have started using Dreamweaver to design basic web pages and need a photo editing software package - I presume Photoshop which I have used happily a few times, is the leader in the field so (1) Am I right? (2) Which is the best version to buy - got a bit confused when searching as there seem to be so many (3) I've used a bit but am no expert can anyone recommend a good user manual?

Cheers,
Al

Hi Al.
Photoshop is indeed the leader in the field, by far. The latest version I use is CS: simply outstanding.

I would recommend Photoshop CS (version 8.0). Personally, I don't think the newest version adds that many new features. But, that's just me.

I would actually recommend this site: http://psworkshop.net/psworkshop/

It is free, has hundreds of tutorials and it has been very helpful to me.

[aricher]

It all depends on how much and what kind of editing you need to do. I use the CS suite every day for my job and couldn't do without Photoshop. Some people can get by with Photoshop Elements - a more stripped down version of Photoshop. You can even get Photoshop Elements bundled in FREE with the new Wacom Intuos 3 graphics tablets.

[neut]

If you're an artist/photographer/print designer as well as a web designer ... get PS CS for the artistic manipulation and the camera support.

If you're just a web-designer ... get Macromedia Fireworks; for the web it has a better work-flow for web-images (Dreamweaver-Flash).


peace | neut

[jimsowden]

It would be kinda silly to start with anything other than the latest version. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00081I6JI/qid=1116889922/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/102-3882792-5235300?v=glance&s=software)
Or you could buy a really old version off someone cheap and then get the $150 upgrade. If you are a student or teacher, discounts are also available.

[desenso]

I'm basically here to echo other users

(1) Yes, it is easily the leading standard with an incredible community.

(2) If you can afford it, get Photoshop CS2! However, CS1 and even Photoshop 7 are still perfectly acceptable alternatives which, as one person said, you could upgrade.

(3) I've never used a "book". I did all of my training through simple trial and error, and as someone else said, TUTORIALS. Tutorials are incredible because they guide you, step by step, on how to do everything. Do it once or twice and you won't need the tutorial anymore.

You'll love Photoshop my friend, it's great!

[Alan Crawford]

Many thanks for all the replies. I'm going to go with Photoshop and hopefully CS as I want to be able to use it for more than just web work. I will check out the recommended website and will try some tutorials.

Any predictions about new software now that Adobe has bought Macromedia?

Cheers,
Alan