Yesterday a good friend of mine who works for Adobe gave me CS4 Extended...*gulp* I know! Here's the thing folks...I am a pretty simple gal. (for non photog's bare with me for a moment...) I use Lightroom and Corel Paint Shop Pro for my editing. I downloaded CS4 and felt like I was in a foreign country. What the heck! I had to ask myself...is this really better? I know there are more bells and whistles...but...is it really going to improve upon what I do now?
It kind of feels like going from the Gap to Chanel. I am in totally new territory and I am not sure I can handle it...lol. But I have to ask: Am I really going to be a better photographer because I use CS4? I am so happy and comfortable with what I have now. I don't know different. Or am I just being totally silly (and lazy because I have to read complicated manuals to learn how to use this properly)? Geeze....what's a girl to do?
So, is better always better? Would love to get your thoughts...
21 comments:
I completely enjoy what you share with us. My sense is that you will find new toys to play with and this will inspire you further. I do not use PS. I also have LR. But you know my work, simple basic photography. wishing you the best. perhaps your friend can teach you some things... that is a faster way, for me. This post has a gorgeous photo.
I think that if it will allow you to (eventually) do new things, or expand your artistic vision, then it will be worth learning the new software. However, if it can't really add any value to your experience, then it might not be worth the time you'll have to invest.
If you feel like you're at a plateau, artistically speaking, and this will help you reach a new level, then go for it! Otherwise, it might be a good "regift" to someone else :)
I use CS2 and haven't upgraded because, so far, this version does all I need & more. It does a lot of stuff we use in our "real" business - school photography - and I like to play individually with each image, I don't use set actions (although this would allow me to set my own). That said, we always tell people who are trying to decide whether or not to get Photoshop to just be mentally prepared for it. It is a foreign country to which you've never been and you may or may not speak the language. As Jay says, if it makes you crazy & you don't use it - if it takes away the fun you've been having - I wouldn't use it.
I have a couple of versions of Corel Draw I use for other stuff - not photos - and I hate the newer (still not the newest) version of it. Hate it. I use the old, old, ancient version 99% of the time.
Plus if you figure out how to read a Photoshop manual, let me know - if CS4 is easier for that reason alone, I might upgrade. LOL!
Good luck!
:) Debi
I am still using Adobe Photoshop 3.0, so I would be of no help. lol
But, if it help your creativity in any way go for it. :)
What matters is the original photograph... after that it's just bells and whistles to me.
I tested software apps for a living. You cannot possibly understand everything all at once because there is too much to absorb. Maybe play with it a little each day - over time, the dots will connect.
Your work is wonderful now. I guess it's just a matter of deciding whether or not you wish to push it in new directions.
Enjoy your day,
Zuzu
I'm an explorer at heart, Caroline, and I think you are too. How about just honoring that and see where it leads? If it doesn't resonate or you struggle, leave it behind.
Lately I tried Facebook. Would FB make me a better internet/bloggie person? No, it did not resonate and after a week or so, I bailed. It felt good to bail. To give myself permission to say, in this case, bigger does not mean better. But I am a homey sort of gal, private. So I am sure you will find your way. listen to your heart!
xoxyou
Caroline,
Go with what your heart and gut says. Only you know if it's a case of laziness.
It may simply overwhelm you. If that's the case go slow set your timer and study an hour per day. You'll soon know for sure what you want to do.
I love the way Jan bailed out of FB.
Caroline, you have a gift that will reveal itself in each photo. The equipment is secondary. Your creative eye is what brings the magic:) Good luck!
Gorgeous Photo
Una obras de arte, me gustan mucho las texturas y el color. Felicitaciones por tu cratividad! Saludos, Joe
humph. maybe give it a chance. abort the mission if it is too much, tho!
p.s. i know how to do about 3 things in photoshop. maybe 4. i know i should try to learn the whole thing, but i don't have photoshop at home and am sort of shocked by all of the training that would be required to get REALLY good at it.
I'm just going to echo what the others have said: if you sincerely feel called to learn it, then give it a shot. But if you're in absolute contentment where you are right now, why change? When I find what makes me happy, I snuggle right in and enjoy it for as long as that feeling serves me.
And don't feel guilty if you choose not to change anything. It's completely OK and you're not silly. Your photography is absolutely beautiful and you are a true artist.
You'll know when it's time to expand your software options because you'll start to feel stifled. Like you're confined within the boundries of too small a fence, feeling restricted. There's no need to explore new horizons if you are accomplishing everything you'd like to accomplish within your current creative arena. If you feel that the new software is a burdon rather than an opportunity for exploration, then there's no need to jump to it just yet. You'll know when, or if, you need to move on.
I totally agree with you. The tools we use to capture our shots are ones that should be simple and take LESS time so we can get back out there and keep shooting. NOT make it more complicated.
Im looking for something that does more for me in much much less time.
Your work is stunning -- keep doing what you are comfortable with.
If you get a moment I would love you to stop by and say hi!
TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥
I say stick to what ever your using as your photos are fantastic. You have your editing down pat.
Would you believe CS4 is actually a cut down version of CS3. They have tried to make CS4 less complicated.
I use CS3 and it does take a lot of time to get use to it. I still do some of my editing in another program.
I have used both Photoshop and Paint Shop, and frankly, (this is just my opinion) the Adobe hype is simply a result of industry snobbery. You will see it. There is a special facial expression that goes with "I only use Photoshop."
When I used Corel, no one could tell in my product.
Corel is cheaper. Easier to use. Has more features.
And they need to give me a discount for endorsing them. LOL!
I use CS2. My son gave it to me. I don't know Lightroom although I've tried it. I just got confused.
I love CS2 but it took a long time to figure it out. I bought a couple of books by Scott Kelby and learned some things from him. I learned a lot from Pioneer Woman's site and from tutorials I found on the web.
But that's just me. And yes, it scared me when I began to use it, but you say you already have a couple of programs and you're happy with them. I'd give it a little while and see what develops.
Thanks for all your input...I think I'll stay right where I am... perhaps one day I will venture into CS4...but today I am all good :)
Hi Caroline,
It seems like forever since I've visited but it certainly hasn't been for not wanting to. I love your blog! I've been sick since the dust storm and have been trying to keep up with two book clubs so please forgive my absence.
I have used both Photoshop and Paintshop Pro and I agree with Genie....give me Paintshop Pro any day. I find it much more user friendly too. My son manipulates photos a lot and he has tried both too and, like me, he definitely prefers Paintshop Pro too.
I think what you do now is breathtakingly amazing! Go with how you feel.
Btw, stunning image!
Hi, Caroline -
I love CS4, but I have to admit I need very few of its more advanced features for my photography. I do make heavy use of Smart Objects & layers for non-destructive editing, and of course some of the wonderful plugins available.
I have no experience with Paint Shop Pro, and your work is beautiful already, so I can't say how CS4 will work out for you, but as long as you have it... You might want to check out a book like "Photoshop CS4 for Nature Photographers" by Ellen Anon & Josh Anon - it helps focus your attention on the features useful for nature photography, and would give a good survey of the subject so you could see if CS4 would offer anything useful to your work that PSP doesn't.
I love your blog & pics - keep up the good work, and have fun with CS4 if you decide to use it!
- Jack
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