Sharpening

[JRGloeckler]

I am trying to decide whether I should upgrade to Photoshop CS2 or stay with Elements 3. This is partly based on the ability to add addons, i.e. Photo Kit Sharpner. Can't do it with Elements. Here's the questions:
1) Can I upgrade to CS2 from Elements 3 at moderate cost and what is the cost?
2) Are there alternate programs that work with Elements 3 with equal quality or are there workarounds with equal quality?
3) As a beginner, what is the learning curve for CS2?

Your comments and knowledge is appreciated.

Jerry

[Daniel R.]

Hi Jerry,

You should be able to download a free trial of CS2 from the Adobe site. After the trial they will give you the option of keeping the CS2 for $149 provided it is an upgrade from a PSE3 for example.

Good Luck!

Daniel

[Carbone]

Daniel,

Unless you received a postcard by mail or a specific e-mail from Adobe, the listed price for Photoshop CS2 upgrade from Photoshop Elements is 499$ (US), on the Adobe online Store.

Jerry,

Photoshop CS2 has several tools which are not in PSE3 and others that have enhanced functionality, but the learning curve for these specific tools is not a show stopper. Since PSE3 shares a great deal of commands and functions with PS CS2, you won't be lost.

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi Jerry ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

It really depends what add ons you need ... so if you can mention an add on then we should be able to let you know if there is a workaround. Another thing is that sometimes add ons that are for Photoshop will also work in Elements ... so its worth downloading the demo versions to see if they do.

To be honest, if you are a beginner, then I would stick with PSE3 and see how you go on with it ... maybe look at upgrading sometime in the future :)


Wendy

[Carbone]

Wendy,

He mentionned PhotoKit Sharpener :

http://www.pixelgenius.com/sharpener/

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

If Jerry is new to Elements then he probably just need to know how to use the Unsharpen Mask ... :)


Wendy

[Carbone]

Wendy,

Go check the plug-in for yourself, it's interesting theory :shock:

(and I tried hard, but yes, it doesn't work under PSE)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

Interesting theory ... but it costs more than Elements !!


Wendy

[Carbone]

I have several plug-ins that cost more than Elements (DreamSuite, for example)... ;-)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

But just for sharpening ??


Wendy

[JRGloeckler]

Hi all,
Heres my problem. There is probably a plethra of knowledge I need to learn about PSE3 but I got some killer shots from Alaska and want to do the best job I can on developing the shot. I use a Canon 20D. I used a Canon 70-200 2.8 IS but still got some blur on a mother Otter and pup that I would love to blow up but as is would not be worth it. I don't have a web site but could email if you wanted.

Jerry

[Carbone]

Jerry,

If you'd like to upload one picture, perhaps we could show a few tricks on sharpening (and thus saving you some dollars !)

Use www.pixentral.com, it's free.

Ray

[JRGloeckler]

How do I upload a picture?

Jerry

[Carbone]

Go to www.pixentral.com, then click on Choose a file (it's button about one third from the top of the screen, in your browser). Then, click on Send.

Finally, after a few moments, your browser will update. Copy the link in the address bar, paste it here.

Ray

[JRGloeckler]

I'll be out a day or two. Having a little surgery," I'll be back".

Jerry

[JRGloeckler]

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=19LHNqI7fhxO4woHJZBUO9WGb0dRyG

Here it is.

Jerry

[Wendy]

Hi Jerry ..

A little while ago there was a thread on different methods of sharpening .... here is a link to it. They are quite detailed so hopefully one of the methods will help.

Try highpass sharpening and emboss sharpening first ... one of those should be OK on your image :)

Wendy

[TonyW]

Nice picture. Just as a quick and dirty test I ran it through Neat Image which is a noise and sharpening filter available as a plug-in for Elements or as a standalone (you can download a free demo). Also applied a levels adjustment. This was a 10 sec fix and I overcooked the sharpening some and introduced some artifacts so I'm sure you could do better with more time and using the techniques that Wendy suggested. If you have the original image in higher resolution that would help too.

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1B9Tvnh5nrYF9XKp1OQi4fLIZPXg1a

Tony

[Pauline]

Hello, Wendy..........you forgot to add the link.. :lol:

[Carbone]

Maybe here ?

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2171

Ray

[Wendy]

Oh ...

First time I have done that in a while :) :)

Yes thats the link !!


Wendy

[Carbone]

You posted it on another thread, so I've figured... :-D

not bad, considering I haven't got my first cup of coffee, yet :!:

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

I have been so careful over recent weeks ... someone usual send me a pm when I forget :)


Wendy

[Jodi Frye]

Here's some nice reading on Sharpening

http://ronbigelow.com/articles/sharpen1/sharpen1.htm

[Jodi Frye]

I think this was posted before too but I'm not sure;

http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=69