photoshop, photoshop elements 9 or pixelmator

Just wondering
I am comming from Photo Impact where I can draw shapes, do graphic designs, edit photographs and make webpages.
Now mac os don't run photo impact so maybe its time to move on
Photo impact has an UI that looks dated but easily produces top notch results when compared to its younger contenders.
Photo Impact works ok with boot camp but why by a mac to use windows?

I think pixelmator is cool but is it worth buying for 56 when Photoshop elements 9 is sold for 99.00
Photoshop seems to only have image above the others, is it worth getting photoshop instead of elements?
What will be my gain?

I do graphic, web designs, drawings,shapes, photohraphy using photo impact only
Advice which of these other software will allow the same versitility or come close.

 

Just my opinion but any version of Photoshop has too many features and an extreme learning curve that many average users may not ever take advantage of. That being said I've use PSE and then switched over to Pixelmator when it was $59 and I was quite pleased. I couldn't find anything that PSE could do that Pixelmator couldn't do. It's even cheaper now on the MAS for only $29. I would grab it, you really can't go wrong especially when you're not putting a lot of money into it.

 

Is there a free Paint type program for OS X like there is MS Paint in windows? I don't want to splurge on photoshop just to do basic MS Paint tasks.

PS Does GIMP qualify as a MS Paint replacement?

 

what is the MAS?
Does it stand for Mac App Store?
If so I just checked the Mac App Store and see Pixelmator for 59.00

 

Gimp is much more extensive than MS Paint.. it pushes more toward Photoshop. It works very good though, and its free!

 

Acorn is cheap and nice. - My $0.02

 

I have read it takes long to load. I hope it isn't neooffice in that regard.

 

Oh yes, MAS is Mac App Store. Sorry my man, it WAS $29.99. I didn't know it was an introductory price. . Still a good value. As I mentioned earlier I bought it for $59.99 and I've been very satisfied.

 

Ok, Acorn and Pixelmator are noticeably cheaper then photoshop elements, but what do you think of the "industry standard factor"?
Some people will not take you serious and capable if you don't use photoshop

 

Photoshop isn't exactly fast either (at least prior versions a couple of years ago - no clue about the latest ones since Adobe's licensing scheme means it's pretty pointless to update regularly--unless you're willing to personally dish out a small fortune every year or so of course).

I tried GIMP years ago, and [Open/Neo]Office was exactly what immediately popped to mind when I first installed it. Now, maybe GIMP is a great program, but anything that reminds me of the abysmally clunky, slow and UGLY OpenOffice suite just leaves a lasting bad impression that would take some time to overcome. I didn't give it that time--it was uninstalled right away

 

your major loss...

 

I'm lucky enough to have a PS:CS5 license from work, it loads very quickly now with the latest version being 64-bit compatible (even compared to CS4). I've used Gimp as well...on the Mac I agree it just feels "clunky", which it did not give me that impression when I used it on a PC.

 

Gimp is a little funky, but not open office / neo office funky.

 

Extreme learning curve? You serious?

Photoshop is pretty easy to learn. Sure there are a lot of features that might seem daunting, but you don't need to know how to use all of those features before you can use Photoshop efficiently.

Besides, it is the industry standard. You'll have to learn it eventually, if you're serious about whatever you use it to do.

 

BS, there's no "industry standard" when it comes to photo editing software. PS may be the de facto option as it's got brand naming but it's not like MS Office that requires people to have the same software across the board for compatibility reasons. Most photo editing from Photoshop is finalized on a JPEG, TIFF or PDF.

 

I have the CS4 version of Photoshop om my MBP. and Pixelmator on my MBA.

It took me a little time to get used to/learn Photoshop quite a few years ago, but I am really glad I became rather proficient. I don't find Pixelmator easy to use at all(have had it maybe 2 months).

I suppose you can find fault with either product, but for me I rather like Photoshop (from an ease of use standpoint). Go figure.

 

Depending on what you are wanting to do.... there may be another (pretty cheap) alternative.
Adobe Lightroom.

Now before anyone says anything I will say that I OWN and use/used the followning:
Adobe Photoshop CS
Adobe Photoshop CS2
Adobe Photoshop CS3
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS5
Adobe Lightroom Beta
Adobe Lightroom 1
Adobe Lightroom 2
Adobe Lightroom 3
GIMP
Aperature

Now, I have no issues with GIMP other than I often find it to be harder to use (some say "klunky") on the OSX (Mac) version.
I would also find that there was often something I could not net get quite right in GIMP, so I had to go back to Photoshop and redo.

Aperature has some good points but I never really "fell" for it... maybe I am just too used to Adobe products

As for photoshop etc.... basically if there is something I want to do... I can do it.
No worrying about if it will work, turn out good etc... just get it done and move on. Plus the program has just gotten better over time (every revision puts out something or fixes something that I really like).
The con about Photoshop is the price.
I get a good discount from my work so it is not a big deal for me.... but if I paid full retail....uggghhh... I would probably not upgrade to each revision as fast.

Now, for the home (and professional) user who wants a lot of the photoshop goodies but does need all of them... lightroom is a great choice.
I know a lot of professional photogs and graphic artists who use Lightroom and Photoshop nowadays.
Lightroom for the small touchups, library management etc... then they just quickly send it to photoshop (from lightroom) for those items that need more of the photoshop power/magic.

Now, you can try lighroom for free (download a trial) to see if it is something you like or not, but for the price (as cheap as $80 for the full version in many places) I think it is a real contender.

NOW, these are just my opinions and they may or may not mean anything to you.... just what I have figured out over more than a few years at this stuff.

D.

 

You can keep telling yourself that, but it doesn't make it true.

Go and apply for a job with a magazine as a Photographer/Editor and tell them you don't know how to use Photoshop. Just because it can be done with other applications doesn't mean corporations don't have applications that they default to.

 

Yup, I bought Pixelmator for $29.00
This was a super deal as I will get the updated version 2 for free with some real super,super cool features when it is released this summer.
If you have not purchased it as yet you probably should today.

Now that I have bought it, I will just have to learn it and have more fun when vesion 2 is released.... Can't Wait.