Adobe suggests the target market for its Elements products are “consumers” and “photo enthusiasts,” and that professionals require the tools found in the Creative Suite (CS) line. However, after taking a closer look at the Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9 bundle, I found their feature sets close enough to those in the big-brother CS5 set that many professionals could find them useful in their work. And the Elements 9 Bundle even includes some interesting features that are not found in their bigger, far more expensive, namesakes.
There are new features in all three segments of the Elements 9 bundle: Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements and Organizer. But the biggest news for Mac users is that Premiere Elements is available to them for the first time.
The Mac Premiere feature set is somewhat shy of the Windows set, however. The Mac version has 18 fewer video effects, 7 fewer audio effects, half the number of available transitions, and is lacking the ability to export files in Windows Media format. The good news though is that there is finally an affordable, near professional-quality video editor available for Macs.
Elements 9 Organizer
Mac users also benefit from the availability of the Organizer in the Elements 9 Bundle. The Elements Organizer is directly accessible from both Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements. Organizer brings all of your photos and videos together in one place and allows you to perform simple edits, create slide shows and prints, and share them in social networks.
Previous versions of Photoshop Elements for the Mac shipped with a version of Bridge, but Elements Organizer for both Mac and Windows have some interesting and useful features Bridge lacks.
One of these features is people recognition. After you identify a few faces in random photos you can run the Auto-Analyzer function in the background and it will tag other photos and videos of the same people. When it is done, photos of other people are organized in a window and you can identify them for tagging. I was even able to tag photos of a friend’s dog! Once the tagging is done, clicking on their name in the Keyword Tags > People panel instantly brings thumbnails of all of the media tagged with that person’s (or animal’s) name to the screen.
In fact, any keywording you apply to photos and videos will be used to bring the media onscreen when you click on the keyword. Organizer 9 recognized keywords that I had entered from other software and added the keywords and tagged images correctly into its database.
The Windows version of Organizer has always had a full-screen mode, but now both operating systems have the ability to perform minor edits to still images or to tag and put still images into albums from the full-screen mode. You can also play videos in full-screen mode.
Slide shows are not new to the Organizer, but in the Elements 9 Organizer you can now add transitions such as fade in/fade out, pan and zoom and 3D pixilate between images and videos. Organizer, however, is still more oriented toward still images than video.
Photoshop Elements 9
Photoshop Elements 9 includes two new features inherited from Photoshop CS5: the Content-Aware Healing Brush that debuted in CS5 and Masks. The old Healing Brush in Elements and Photoshop itself had problems when you used it close to edges or across transition areas. The new Content-Aware Healing Brush virtually eliminates these problems.
In previous versions of Photoshop Elements masks were only enabled when using Adjustment Layers. In this new version you can add a Layer Mask at any time and create a clipping mask. These features allow you to do sophisticated compositing that was previously impossible.
There are other new features in Photoshop Elements 9. One of the fun features is Guided Edits. These are sets of instructions in the sidebar that provide you with the tools you need in the order you need them to create visual effects such as lomography, 3D-like images, pop art, reflection effects and more.
Another new feature is Photomerge Style Match, which analyzes the stylistic qualities of any photo you choose and then applies these qualities to another. The style photo remains in the Style Bin so you can apply it to other images at any time.
Photoshop Elements 9 accepts all of the Photoshop plug-ins designed for 32-bit versions, and all of the Photoshop keyboard shortcuts I tried worked in Photoshop Elements. One of the few features I found lacking was in its RAW file support. A version of Adobe Camera Raw is included, but the lens corrections tools are lacking and it doesn’t allow you to sync settings between images. I did find that Adobe does keep it current with new camera releases and RAW file formats.
Despite the minimal RAW file support and the lack of some sophisticated Photoshop CS5 features such as Curves, I think that Photoshop Elements 9, especially if combined with Lightroom 3.x, would meet the needs of many professional photographers, and certainly the consumers and photo enthusiasts that Adobe sees as the program’s target market.
Premiere Elements 9
As I have already mentioned, the big news in Premiere Elements 9 is its availability for Macintosh computers, with a feature set that places it between Apple’s iMovie on the low end and Apple’s Final Cut and Adobe’s Premiere Pro software on the high end.
The Premiere Elements 9 interface looks as similar to Photoshop Elements 9 as it could, given the different tools that you will be working with. This simplifies moving from one to another, or learning one if you are familiar with the other.
Premiere Elements 9 is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary upgrade (unless you are a Mac user), but as with Photoshop Elements 9, it includes many automated features for newcomers to the editing process that you can override as your editing abilities advance. InstantMovie uses creative techniques from Hollywood and automatically edits your best clips together with coordinated music, titles, effects, and transitions from your choice of movie themes.
But this version is not lacking in new features either. Its import capabilities have been enhanced to include Flip video cameras and other ultra-compact camcorders. It has been able to import video files from DSLRs for several versions.
At the other end of the imaging process, output capabilities have also been enhanced. While previous versions could output to YouTube, this version permits simple uploads to Facebook as well. Also new in this version is the ability to create Web DVDs in full HD, including menus and audio.
Speaking of audio, Premiere Elements 9 has six new functions for improving sound. They include audio polish, auto mute, cleaner, hum remover, noise fader and noise reducer, all with the NewBlue designation to indicate they are new to this version. There are new NewBlue video effects also, including cartoon and film looks. There are lots of other audio and video effects, but as mentioned earlier, the Mac version has some catching up to do to the Windows version in terms of sheer numbers.
I was surprised to find what little I was giving up in Premiere Elements 9 from the far more complex Premiere Pro CS5 I have been using. Premiere Pro allows direct import from high-end camcorders that only serious professional videographers would use, and exports files that are appropriate to broadcast or professional work, but to very few photographers. The Pro version also has more editing tools for audio and video, and more options for working with tracks and keyframes, but Premiere Elements has everything I have ever really needed, including the ability to use 32-bit third-party plug-ins, such as my favorite, Digital Anarchy’s Beauty Box Video. Of course, you also give up the ability to address more than 2-4GB of RAM, since Premiere Elements, like Photoshop Elements, is a 32-bit application.
Included as part of the bundle is 2GB of free online storage for your photos or videos on your own personal URL at Photoshop.com. You can use this area to share still images or videos with friends, to access your media when you are away from your main computer, or simply use it as online backup. Additional storage space is available at low cost.
As seems to be Adobe’s style, they have come up with another complex pricing structure. The Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9 bundle has a MSRP of $149.99, although as I write this Adobe is selling it for $99.99. There is no upgrade pricing from previous versions.
There is also an Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9 Plus Bundle with an MSRP of $179.99, on sale now from Adobe for $149.99. The Plus version includes 20GB of online storage rather than 2GB, with more storage available at additional cost. In addition to the storage, the Plus program provides exclusive access to a library of artwork, movie themes, and how-tos; Online Albums via private or public galleries; and, synchronization of your media between the online storage and your Elements Organizer. The Plus program requires an annual membership fee of $49.99 after the first year.
One advantage that Adobe products have over the competition that deserves mention is the extensive support provided on the Web site—www.adobe.com. There you can find videos showing you how to take advantage of all of the features of the software.
A 30-day trial version of the Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9 Bundle is also available on the Web site. Despite the 3.72GB trial version download, if you find that you are using only a small subset of Photoshop CS-CS5 features, particularly if you have resisted upgrading because of the upgrade cost, and you are interested in experimenting with video for your work or pleasure, it would be worth your while to investigate the Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9 Bundle.
To see an example video of what can be done (and overdone) using Photoshop Premiere Elements 9, go to http://ssholik.photoshop.com.
Stan Sholik is a commercial/advertising photographer in Santa Ana, CA, specializing in still life and macro photography. His latest book, Professional Filter Techniques for Digital Photographers, covering both on-camera analog and post-production digital filters is published by Amherst Media.
7,167 comments
freelance experts says:
January 23, 2013 at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
nice site…
Very interesting topic , regards for posting . “He who seizes the right moment is the right man.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe….
ladbrookes free bet says:
January 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
ladbrookes free bet…
[...]usually posts some quite intriguing stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[...]…
buy cheap facebook fans says:
January 24, 2013 at 9:10 am (UTC -4)
buy cheap facebook fans…
[...]just beneath, are many totally not associated websites to ours, however, they’re certainly worth going over[...]…
houston hip hop parties says:
January 24, 2013 at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
houston hip hop parties…
[...]we like to honor a lot of other internet web pages on the web, even though they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Underneath are some webpages really worth checking out[...]…
mace craft says:
January 24, 2013 at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
mace craft…
[...]please stop by the internet sites we stick to, which includes this a single, as it represents our picks from the web[...]…
Healthcare Worker Stress says:
January 24, 2013 at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
Its hard to find good help…
I am regularly proclaiming that its difficult to procure quality help, but here is…
Cute anime wallpaper says:
January 24, 2013 at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Cute anime wallpaper…
Thanks for sharing your ideas here. The other point is that when a problem arises with a laptop motherboard, people today should not take the risk with repairing this themselves because if it is not done properly it can lead to permanent damage to all …
buy twitter followers says:
January 24, 2013 at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
buy twitter followers…
[...]Every when in a while we decide on blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most recent web pages that we select [...]…
short term loans says:
January 24, 2013 at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
short term loans…
[...]very few internet sites that occur to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[...]…
Rakuten.co.id Toko online murah says:
January 24, 2013 at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
Rakuten.co.id Toko online murah…
[...]that will be the end of this report. Here youll discover some websites that we believe youll value, just click the links over[...]…
work from home ideas says:
January 24, 2013 at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
The best sites……
[...] Superb story, reckoned we can easily combine a few not related data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, wow did one learn about Mid East possesses a lot more problems just as well [...]…
Ruzzle Cheater says:
January 25, 2013 at 2:08 am (UTC -4)
Ruzzle Cheater…
[...]Here are a few of the web-sites we advocate for our visitors[...]…
Seattle Pioneer Plumbing says:
January 25, 2013 at 2:32 am (UTC -4)
Seattle Pioneer Plumbing…
I dont even know the way I ended up here, but I assumed this submit was good. I don’t understand who you are however certainly you are going to a famous blogger should you are not already
Cheers!…
Usenet kostenlos says:
January 25, 2013 at 7:06 am (UTC -4)
Usenet kostenlos…
[...]we like to honor a lot of other world wide web internet sites around the internet, even when they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages really worth checking out[...]…
Life Insurance with No Exam says:
January 25, 2013 at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Just Browsing…
While I was surfing today I noticed a excellent article concerning…
cross trainer cardio says:
January 25, 2013 at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]that could be the finish of this article. Right here you will locate some internet sites that we feel you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]…
jeannette kagame children says:
January 25, 2013 at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]we came across a cool site that you simply may well take pleasure in. Take a appear in case you want[...]…
Life Coach Jacksonville says:
January 25, 2013 at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Looking around…
I like to look around the online world, often I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
injection molding machine says:
January 25, 2013 at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Tumblr article…
I saw someone talking about this on Tumblr and it linked to…
New York Asian escorts says:
January 25, 2013 at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you…
[...]It’s hard to find knowledgeable individuals on this topic, but you seem like you understand what you’re referring to! Thanks[...]…
iphone 4 repair denver says:
January 25, 2013 at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
iphone 4 repair denver…
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. Id like to see more posts like this….
www.GamerAmmo.com says:
January 25, 2013 at 5:48 pm (UTC -4)
Bless you…
[...]I discovered your blog website on google and check a few of your early posts. Still maintain the good work. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Visitor. Seeking forward to reading more from you down the road! …[...]…
best gaming website says:
January 25, 2013 at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
best gaming website…
[...]please check out the web pages we stick to, which includes this one, because it represents our picks through the web[...]…
repaint furniture says:
January 26, 2013 at 12:36 am (UTC -4)
repaint furniture…
[...]we prefer to honor numerous other world wide web web sites on the net, even though they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Underneath are some webpages really worth checking out[...]…
zoloft brain damage says:
January 26, 2013 at 2:50 am (UTC -4)
zoloft brain damage…
[...]Here is an excellent Weblog You may Locate Exciting that we Encourage You[...]…
Recipes says:
January 26, 2013 at 3:23 am (UTC -4)
Looking around…
I like to browse in various places on the web, often I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
benefits fulvic acid says:
January 26, 2013 at 4:23 am (UTC -4)
News info…
I was reading the news and I saw this really cool information…
Ange Kagame Kitoko says:
January 26, 2013 at 4:26 am (UTC -4)
Ange Kagame Kitoko…
[...]that will be the finish of this report. Here you will uncover some sites that we assume you will value, just click the hyperlinks over[...]…
plantas purificadoras de agua says:
January 26, 2013 at 5:28 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]one of our visitors recently advised the following website[...]…
Visalus Weight Loss says:
January 26, 2013 at 5:55 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]…
Free iPad 3 says:
January 26, 2013 at 7:21 am (UTC -4)
Free iPad 3…
Thanks , I have just been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?…
jeu flash voiture says:
January 26, 2013 at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
jeu flash voiture…
[...]we like to honor several other net websites around the web, even though they arent linked to us, by linking to them. Beneath are some webpages worth checking out[...]…
injectable kliniek says:
January 26, 2013 at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
injectable kliniek…
Right now it appears like Drupal is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?…
cheap vacation spots says:
January 26, 2013 at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]very handful of internet sites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly effectively really worth checking out[...]…
logo designer says:
January 26, 2013 at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]Here are several of the web sites we recommend for our visitors[...]…
wallet says:
January 26, 2013 at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
Related Pages……
[...] Internet websites of interest we have a url to [...]…
web hosting malaysia says:
January 26, 2013 at 10:35 pm (UTC -4)
web hosting malaysia…
[...]here are some hyperlinks to internet sites that we link to since we assume they’re really worth visiting[...]…
mygirlfund says:
January 26, 2013 at 11:59 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, nevertheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
http://optionshousepromocode.com/ says:
January 27, 2013 at 12:12 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but do not get a great deal of link really like from[...]…
search engine optimization audit. says:
January 27, 2013 at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
search engine optimization audit….
[...]Here is a superb Blog You may Obtain Exciting that we Encourage You[...]…
No. 1 Penis Enlargement Guide Review says:
January 27, 2013 at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
No. 1 Penis Enlargement Guide Review…
[...]below you?ll find the link to some sites that we believe you need to visit[...]…
RELATED SITE says:
January 27, 2013 at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
RELATED SITE…
[...]The information mentioned inside the article are several of the ideal obtainable [...]…
sullivan IL Wedding Hall says:
January 27, 2013 at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
sullivan IL Wedding Hall…
[...]always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I appreciate but really don’t get a good deal of link like from[...]…
fogorvos vii. ker�let says:
January 27, 2013 at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]usually posts some really fascinating stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]…
Keyword: make money online today says:
January 27, 2013 at 8:08 pm (UTC -4)
Keyword: make money online today…
[...]check below, are some completely unrelated internet sites to ours, having said that, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
career and salary information says:
January 27, 2013 at 9:16 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]we came across a cool website that you may possibly love. Take a look when you want[...]…
click for more info says:
January 27, 2013 at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
click for more info…
[...]although sites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they are basically worth a go by means of, so have a look[...]…
kristen howe chemistry books says:
January 27, 2013 at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
Kristen Howe Chemistry…
[...]here are some hyperlinks to web sites that we link to simply because we assume they are worth visiting[...]…
mean green recipe says:
January 27, 2013 at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
mean green recipe…
[...]The info talked about in the post are several of the most beneficial available [...]…
real online income says:
January 28, 2013 at 1:55 am (UTC -4)
real online income…
[...]usually posts some quite fascinating stuff like this. If youre new to this site[...]…
« Previous 1 ... 103 104 105 106 107 ... 144 Next »