I bought a number of different software packages over the years to edited images with. These image editing software packages differ from dedicated HDR to RAW converters and finally Photoshop. One thing really important I think is to stick with one software. Rather spend more time researching and when you decide to buy then stay with your choice. The reason is editing software takes time to get use to plus it takes time to really master any piece of image editing software.

I am not 100% fixed on wether a general image editor or graphical editing software package like Elements is better to have or if a more dedicated RAW software converter like Bibble, Aperture or Capture One is in fact better. Reason is one can get use to a RAW converter like Bibble fast and one can do almost everything necessary with it. Many years back I started with Photoshop Elements and today I understand the software really well and I am able to do almost anything I want with it.

If I had to choose a winner then hands down I would select Photoshop Elements again. I have started to work using channels in CS4 recently and I can imagine that the new techniques I am learning will eventually move me away from Elements. But for the time being I cannot think I will move away at all.

Siegfried