Digital BW, The Print

Start with Photoshop Elements. It's based specifically on Photoshop and has about 80% of the functionality; it also has a superb file organizer and a RAW converter built in. There is a "curves" plugin you can download to bring it even closer to Photoshop. Go to the bookstore and look through some of the training manuals for Elements and you'll get a better sense of it's depth (then buy one, Total Training offers a good one). Once you master Elements you'll be in a much better position to determine whether you need the full Photoshop. It's unfortunate that schools generally do not teach Elements but opt to teach Photoshop. Few students can afford PS and end up having to go into the school to use the school's copy. PS and Elements have so much depth that you really need your own copy and many, many hours to get up to speed. Oh, Elements costs roughly 1/10 of what PS costs; check Ebay. You can also download a fully functional demo from Adobe.
   
  Michael K


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