Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Adobe Rocks!
Comment: This is an awesome double-product for a great price! I've always been a fan of Photoshop Elements, but still hadn't made the jump from an older version of Elements.
This version is so fun and hands on--extremely easy to use! The thing I like to definitely do is make collages, and with an older version I had to edit the pictures and then save two copies on my hard drive AND THEN add the pictures to the collage, this version lets me edit the pics directly into the collage and save it *as is*. This might be a bit confusing but collages are the #1 reason I get photo editing software.
I can't say too much for the video software yet...I've done some nice transitions and "cartoon effects", but that's about it.
Can't go wrong with this package, love it!
Customer Rating: Summary: Two for one
Comment: I have the Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 7 duo installed on my VISTA powered laptop and have worked with them several days. I started using Adobe Photoshop Elements version 3 a number of years ago and thought it was good, but somewhat complicated to use with a long learning curve involved. The new Elements version 7 retains most of the original features and complexity but is upgraded and the tools are more sophisticated in how they are applied and the results they produce.
Some reviewers of Adobe Photoshop Elements have upgraded from version 6 and complain that there is little new in the latest edition. That may be true, but there is a noticeable difference between version 3 and this most recent rendition. One of the most obvious features to appear in version 7 is the addition of on-line storage, photo sharing and available tutorials.
There is an extra charge for Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 "Plus" which provides additional on-line storage space. This is not to imply that Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 "basic" is one of those come-on condensed programs that get bundled in new computers. Photoshop Elements 7 out of the box is a full blown photo editing program and stays that way without any additional charge unless that additional on-line storage is desired. The downside to this option to invest in the "Plus" feature is how the program startup screen nags to join every time the program is opened. So far I haven't found a way to say no thanks--don't bother me with this again.
The Adobe Photoshop Elements programs are consistently rated number one in digital photo editing reviews and that is probably deserved. I recently purchased, installed and started to use the Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate program for editing my photos. This program is often rated number two by reviewers, but it is cheaper than the Adobe software. I like the Corel program a lot, but the Adobe program is equally good and maybe just a bit better in some ways--fancier and more colorful screens for one thing. However, for the advanced amateur digital photographer like me the difference is a matter of which program is easier to use. I think that may be a matter of personal choice in this case.
Now for the Adobe PREMIER Elements 7: This is the program one needs in order to download, construct, edit and produce video/slide show projects. It is the DVD (and Blu-ray) maker lots of editing programs lack. I have previously used a Roxio video making program and found it buggy and without all of the flexibility I wanted. The Adobe Premier Elements 7 program has more options and creative features. It is certainly easier to use than the Roxio software.
As with all of the DVD maker programs, one must have the right computing capacity and the proper DVD burning drive. Older wimpy computers will probably have trouble with Premier Elements 7 and apparently crashes are not uncommon if there isn't enough RAM available. I have the software loaded into a VISTA laptop and not had any problems of note. Saving a project as one goes along is a good thing to do just in case.
This software is primarily and obviously well designed for making movie type videos. However, I have used my Adobe Premier Elements 7 program mostly for creating slide shows from my collections of digital photos and it does a great job. It allows me to organize my pictures add transitions between them in a slide show, put background music in and insert titles too. I like the ability to arrange things in DVD chapters and menus and my finished slide shows surprise me in how professional they look.
So far, I have not had any problem with creating DVD shows that work in my disk players connected to ordinary television sets.
I can recommend both Adobe Premier Elements 7 and Adobe Photoshop Elements 7. The digital photographer just beginning to edit photos and videos will find these programs useful as will the more advanced picture makers.
Customer Rating: Summary: Does 75% of what the full version of Photoshop does--for a lot less money!
Comment: I have used every version of Photoshop Elements starting with Elements 2. Elements is a great (and much cheaper) alternative to the full Photoshop program. I once read this quote, "Elements does 75% of what Photoshop does for $75," and I would have to agree with it.
I haven't found a lot of new features (other than the online photo-sharing aspects which I'm not really interested in) in this version--so, it looks and acts very much like Elements 6. I'll need to explore more and see if I would recommend the upgrade from Elements 6. There is a big difference between Elements 5 and 6, so if you are thinking of upgrading from that version you'll probably be very happy with this one.
I did notice that it took a bit longer to load than Elements 6, so the earlier reviewers' comments may be accurate on this aspect.
One last point, I've taught digital photography classes at the college level for the last 4 years--and Photoshop Elements is the software program I recommend to my students because of the cost, and because once they learn Elements it is very easy to translate that knowledge to the full version of Photoshop CS3 or CS4, since the basic commands are the same.
As for the learning curve, either take a class or order one of Scott Kelby's books and you'll do fine!
