Photoshop, CS3, Aperture, Elements.....I need help

[Davegod75]

I just got the wife a macbook and she is having fun with the new Canon 400D as well. However, IPhoto sucks for image management and simple editing.

I'm having trouble figuring out which image management/editing program to buy. PHotoshop has always been way too complicated and too much for our needs and Aperture (MAC) doesn't do all the things we are looking for.

Is Adobe elements 4.0 the thing to get? Will there be a 5.0 for the mac?

Thanks

 

[slatr]

Try Lightroom out for 30 days.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/

 

[Davegod75]

ok so here is what I need it to do:

whiten teeth
easy red eye removal
easily remove unwanted objects from photos (telephone poles, etc)
adjust photo properties (hue, saturation, etc.)

would i got with elements or lightroom for this?

 

[Rottie]

Photoshop Element have everything you listed for simple task. version 5.0 is for Windows.

 

[shortylickens]

BUMP!
Check the dates!


What is the difference between Elements and Lightroom?
I tried digging around on Adobes site to find a Features quick compare sheet and they dont seem to have one.

I am used to Corel Photo Paint and have been using it ever since the Win3.1 days. Did most of my learning and growing as a photo editor with Photo Paint 8. Currently have version 11 and while its nice I dont feel like I know enough about it to get the results I want, even with the built-in tutorials.
BUT, the industry standards come from Adobe, so if I ever take any night classes they will probably be Photoshop related.

Dont know which software I need to help me with photos I take using my own camera. I can probably get either one with a student discount so I dont think price is an issue. Am using ACDSee for managing, but I still have to get myself a good picture fixer, ideally one that works with RAW's.

EDIT:
Also, can I get the free trial without signing up on Adobe's site?

 

[Rottie]

I am not sure if free version of GIMP can do anything? or Paint.net?