The Photoshop Elements 9 Software from Adobe is an extremely powerful -- yet easy to use -- software package that will allow you to organize, edit, and share all of your digital photos. Based on the industry-standard Photoshop suite, Elements is designed specifically for digital photographers.
Regardless of your experience level, Photoshop will help you get the most out of your digital images -- you can remove red eye, crop images, adjust color saturation and exposure, apply artistic filters, and much more. Advanced amateurs and hobbyists will be happy to know that Elements supports the uncompressed RAW images that many advanced point-and-shoots, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras can record.
Elements also makes it easy to organize your digital photos. You'll be able to apply tags to photos that categorize them by subject, location, or event. With a single click you'll be able to instantly view all of the photos in which your Uncle Conrad or Aunt Ginny is tagged, or see all the photos you've taken at the local dog park with the ever-faithful Butch.
Advanced facial recognition technology is available, making it possible for the software to add tags to people. Of course, you can always filter photos by the date on which they were taken, and you can browse through old memories using an intuitive timeline interface. Elements also allows you to attach searchable keywords to photos.
You'll be able to use Elements to post your favorite photos to Facebook and Flickr, for all of your friends and family to see. Windows users will also be able to take advantage of the features found in the operating system to stream photos to their HDTV, send personalized photo e-mails, create custom slide shows, and to create mini-movies from still images.
For those times when you'd like to share memories in a less-digital manner, Elements allows you to print photos in a variety of ways. You can order prints from within the software and have them delivered to your door -- making it easy to share your photos with relatives who aren't up to date with the latest technological advancements that the Internet has to offer. You'll also be able to create and order hardbound photo books, perfect for commemorating a vacation, wedding, or other special event. Keep it on your coffee table and relive the memories with guests!
Photoshop Elements runs on both Windows and Intel-based Mac computer systems. It includes access to some online Adobe services, including 2GB of online storage. You'll have the option of subscribing to the Adobe Plus service (at additional cost), which enhances online functionality and increases your online storage account to 20GB.
| System Requirements |
Computer: 1.6GHz (PC), Multicore Intel Mac Operating System: Windows XP SP2/3, Vista, 7; Mac OS X 10.5.8, 10.6.x Memory: 1GB (2GB for HD Video Functions) Hard Drive: 3GB (Windows), 3.4GB (Mac) Display: Color monitor with 16-bit color video card (Windows), 1024 x 57 at 96dpi or less (Windows), 1024 x 768 (Mac) Software: Microsoft DirectX 9-compatible Display Driver (Windows), QuickTime 7 required for QuickTime format import Hardware: DVD-ROM drive; Internet connection required for Internet-based services |
| Languages |
Windows: Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish Mac: English, French, German, Japanese |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
This edition is really worth it
I have used most of the versions of PSE and this one has the most useful features so far. After having the healing brush for a few versions and always needing to be careful that...Read complete review
I have used most of the versions of PSE and this one has the most useful features so far. After having the healing brush for a few versions and always needing to be careful that it didn't create a blur or put in unwanted elements, the content aware feature in 9.0 has yielded beautiful results with very little or no touch-up required. I haven't made full use of layers, but I am anxious to do so now that PSE includes layer masks (hiding parts of your picture while still retaining the information in case you need it, rather than just erasing it). There are other little tweaks (better sharpening, better levels control, easier display options for controlling pictures open in the editor tray). It is now easier to do creative projects without using the organizer (which I don't use since I have my own system of organization). One little annoying thing: in both versions 8 & 9 there is a line that appears across the menus at the top when you do various editing tasks. It essentially "crosses out" the menu titles, but disappears after certain actions. This has happened on both the XP 32-bit and the Windows 7 64-bit computers that I own, so I don't think it's caused by my machines or OS's. Just a little warning to those who are not very familiar with screen calibration: PSE, unlike many other picture viewers or editors, manages the "color space" in your pictures which causes your them to open in Elements with different lightness and colors from the way they appear on your monitor if it hasn't been calibrated properly. This can drive you crazy unless you read up on it or select "no color management" in the "edit" menu in the editor.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Some problems
There is little change in the Organizer of Photoshop Elements 9 (PSE 9) from PSE 7 (I never purchased PSE 8). It provides several ways to store and retrieve photos (with tags,...Read complete review
There is little change in the Organizer of Photoshop Elements 9 (PSE 9) from PSE 7 (I never purchased PSE 8). It provides several ways to store and retrieve photos (with tags, placing in a gallery, creating an album). The Editor offers several new features from previous versions, most talked about is Layer Masks. TWAIN is not installed in PSE 9--to scan from within PSE9, scanner preferences must be set to WIA . I was able to create a photo book in PSE 9. However, with the Kodak Gallery 11 x 8.5 choice there was no "Order" tab. There was an "Order" tab with Kodak Gallery 10.25 x 9 and with all Shutterfly options. However, I received an error message that aborted uploading to either Kodak or Shutterfly. I was never able to order a photo book. I have not yet tried the other options in the Create tab. For users of PSE 7 or PSE 8 I would suggest not upgrading to PSE 9. For those looking for a first photo editing software, PSE 9 is an excellent choice, so long as its limitations are recognized. Help functions are so difficult to find and use as to be of minimal value. Finally, Adobe never offers an upgrade discount. Owners of a previous version pay full retail for a new version.
Reviewed by 105 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
There could be a problem with my computer, but when i open photos in Photoshop they look very low quality, when i open them in other programs they look fine, is anyone else have trouble with this? Overall i like the functions just not the images
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
Have only used it once since I got it, but really impressed with it's functionality and how easy it is to use.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
As a serious amateur, I have both Photoshop Elements 9 and Lightroom 3. I go back and forth between the two and find that I could not do without either of them. Everyone always comments on how beautiful my pictures are. They are a must have for a serious photographer.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I installed the product on a Windows 7 machine and the Organizer kept crashing. Obviously bad. I spent a couple of hours over 3 different nights on the phone with Adobe support. No help. Finally, the last person i spoke with offered me a no-cost upgrade to PSE 10. I downloaded it as a trial and am going through the steps to get it converted to a permanent version.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
Great Product. Easy to work with. I use it for photo editing and it does all that I need.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
Its definitely overwhelming at first. But the fact that there are so many quick options, especially B&W conversion, makes it worth the deer in headlights look at first!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
The most recent version of Photoshop Elements has given me a tremendous jump in processing power over my previous version (a creaky old 3). I do a lot of documentation of historic buildings exteriors and interiors, as well as retouching of historic photographs of old buildings. The Elements tools I especially appreciate include shadows/highlights adjustments, the ability to combine widely varying exposures into single balance shot (aka HDR), precisions sharpening, and RAW processing.
The only drawbacks I've found are the greatly updated interfaces. More likely it's my shortcoming rather than the program's, but I'm still learning the navigate through the various windows.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
Elements 9 is definately an improvement from previous versions. For the cost, this is a bargain. Great for anyone getting started with photo editing or for advanced users looking for a quick solution to organizing and editing on the go.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
There are a lot of things that will need to learn.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
i downloaded a trial of cs5 and i like elements SOOOO much better. i find it easier to use, and comparable enough for my needs and money.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
Decided to change over from Aperture. Lots to learn to get full use, but so far a great product. Pictures are much better quality than I was able to produce with Aperture.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I use CS5, but I got this for a friend who's just starting in digital and currently uses his delete button for photo editing (admittedly a very useful tool). I've used Elements 9 at my parents and with just a little basic instruction, it's workable and does a great job.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I use this for doing simple edits and have found it very easy and useful. From what I have seen, you can't make your own actions which would be very nice, but you also aren't paying for the full version.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I am not a professionnal but I can do great things with this product. Fairly easy to use. Glad I bought it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
easy to use IF you have used elements before. otherwise spend some time online training.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I know this is supposed to be a very powerful software, but I am still trying to navigate through and learn how to use it. I know it will probably amaze me in due time, but until that time, I can't say I am impressed. It does not seem very intuitive.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I used the Windows version for years and then switched to the Mac version and encountered some unpleasant surprises. For one thing it is not possible to import a catalog created in the Windows version. For another, it's missing a couple of features I found extremely useful: (1) batch export; and (2) automatically suggest stacks. I think it's cynical of Adobe to rush out a product for Mac that doesn't have the features of the Windows version, cynical because they know that many Mac users wouldn't know what they're missing.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
While it does most of what I wanted, having to work in an 8 bit pallet instead of the 12 to 14 bit that my camera can do and large panos that have issues because of insufficient memory. I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet and by CS5.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
This software is powerful - worth every penny. Good for a beginner or advanced photographer.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Software for Mac and Windows:
I'm new to digital imaging. This program is very user friendly and probably has the ability to do way more than I will ever use. The more I play with it, the more I like it!
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »