Photo and Video Editing Software

I'm trying to figure out what photo and video editing software I should buy. I know there is Photoshop and Premiere Elements 11 for just over $100. But I don't know if there is something better at the same price. I haven't done any editing in forever since I haven't installed my copies of Elements 4 since moving to Windows 7 on my old computer, but I've definitely wanted to do some image touchups and editing. As for video editing, I'd like to be able to have control of the audio and video enough where I'd have no problem with editing onscreen videos (from games or my desktop), camera recorded videos, and combining separate video & audio files (such as recording a cover of a song but recording audio with a different device and disabling the audio of my camera). I'm as newb as it gets with video editing. I know a lot of people like Sony Vegas but I don't know what the difference between that and Adobe or any other software is. I'd prefer beginner software (and inexpensive) but still something that does what I'd need it to. What do you recommend?

 

I use Adobe Fireworks for photo editing. Don't let it's Web appearance fool you, it is a very capable editor, and is (was) priced between PS and PSe.

However, i was put to tears after hearing CS6 would be the last version

GIMP is a good editor too, i just don't like it's interface. The bonus is that it is FREE

I use Premiere Elements for the major part of my editing, came free with my mother's 17R, so i just installed it on my own laptop.

 

Would it be worth getting CS6? I was holding back since it has like 12 or so programs of which none that I'd probably use (and way more than I want to spend) but my school has the suite for $350.

 

Considering the full suite is worth like 2 grand, i guess it would be worth it. Hell, your school is charging half for the full suite than adobe would charge you for photoshop

Your choice.

 

Adobe currently offers Adobe CC, a new controversial cloud based (no its not in the clouds, its on your computer) subscription package that offers all of what Adobe makes. I subscribed last year before the announcement to ONLY offer subscription software. A decision I will choose to decline once my present subscription run out in October.

For that, I advise one of the many other video editing programs from Apple, Avid, Corel, Cyberlinks for enthusiast to professional.

Still, I'm doing this as a protest, not because there's anything wrong with the software. In fact, I love it. However, this forced consumer precedent is much more important than my preference. Photoshop and Premiere can also be purchased separately, as in the past.

As a small consultation, Adobe's CS6 is still being sold the conventional way. Something I plan on getting (and living with until its obsolete, or someone else replaces it) once my subscription is over. Consumer's like choices. Never give that up.

 

Besides the Adobe CC problems due to renting software only- you loose the chance to open your work if you don't pay - i prefer Sony Vegas i found it very intuitive, there is also a cheaper version Movie Studio.

 

You're the artist but someone else own the canvas?

I suppose that there are some circumstances where someone would create work under those condition, but certainly none that would work for me.