If you’re a graphic designer, chances are you’ve used Adobe Photoshop before. Photoshop is a pixel-based image editor that has been around since 1988. It’s the industry standard for creating and manipulating images, and it’s used by designers all over the world. But what if you want to use Photoshop permanently? Can you buy it outright, or do you have to subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud?
Let’s find out!
What is Photoshop?
There are thousands of individuals in a wide variety of fields around the world who use Adobe Photoshop every day. Photoshop’s versatility extends far beyond the realm of photography; the program can also be used for web design, video editing, and the creation of 3D art.
Your first steps with Photoshop will be to sign up for a subscription and download the app. The software has a very user-friendly interface that can be explored after installation.
Creative Cloud vs. Personal Edition
There are a lot of options available when it comes to software for graphic designers, but what’s the best option for them? That’s a question that’s been on a lot of designers’ minds lately, as the market has seen a lot of new competitors enter the fray.
One popular option is the Creative Cloud. This suite of software includes tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as other creative tools. It’s a paid service, but it offers a lot of benefits – like access to updates and support. Plus, it has a personal membership option that lets you use the software on as many devices as you want.
Another popular option is the Personal Edition of Photoshop. This is a subscription-based service that’s available on a single device. It doesn’t include any of the Creative Cloud’s features, but it does include some basic tools for graphic designers. It also offers access to support and updates, so it’s a good option if you’re just starting out.
So which option is the best for you? That depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a comprehensive suite of tools, the Creative Cloud is the way to go. But if you just need some basic tools, the Personal Edition may be better for you.
Can you buy Photoshop permanently?
The answer is yes, you can buy Photoshop outright. Adobe offers three different versions of Photoshop for purchase: Photoshop CC, Photoshop CS6, and Photoshop Elements. Each version has its own price and features, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for you.
If you’re a professional graphic designer, then Photoshop CC is probably the best choice for you. It includes all of the latest features and updates, and it’s available for a monthly subscription fee of $19.99.
Photoshop CS6 is the previous version of Photoshop, and it’s available for a one-time purchase price of $699. It doesn’t include all of the latest features and updates, but it’s still a powerful image editor that can get the job done.
Photoshop Elements is a lighter version of Photoshop that’s geared toward consumers and amateur photographers. It includes some basic image editing features, but it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of the full versions of Photoshop. It’s available for a one-time purchase price of $99.
Choosing the right Photoshop version according to your needs
So, which version of Photoshop should you buy? If you’re a professional graphic designer, then go with Photoshop CC. If you’re an amateur photographer or consumer, then go with Photoshop Elements. And if you’re looking for the most powerful image editor on the market, then go with Photoshop CS6. No matter which version you choose, you’ll be getting a great product that will help you create stunning images.
Excited to use Adobe Photoshop? Here are some helpful quick tips
Some quick pointers and guidelines for using Adobe Photoshop are provided below:
- Make sure you know the difference between web-friendly and print-ready formats.
- Learn to work with Photoshop (.psd) and Adobe Image File Format (.tiff) files, as well as JPEG (.jpg) files. layers are preserved in.psd files but not.jpgs
- Don’t ever dilute the original.
- PDF or.psd: Keep both the layered version (so you don’t lose your hard work) and the flattened version (for use in print or online) (i.e. save a .psd and a .jpg)
- It’s best to dress in layers: Identify them, classify them, peel back the unnecessary ones, and keep the useful ones.
- Never enlarge an image or enlarge text: Scale up or down in proportion
- Photos are best edited in Adobe Photoshop, while text documents are best edited in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign. Never use text layers unless absolutely necessary (for example, in web files) or if you’re trying to achieve a specific effect that’s specific to Photoshop.
- Maintain consistency by always saving your files in the same place.
- Use moral judgment. To rephrase: enhancing photos is fine, but fabricating evidence is not.
- You should only use photos that you have taken yourself or have permit to use (i.e. royalty-free, stock photography)
- If your image contains text, check it for spelling and grammar errors before submitting it. Having your hard work exposed with a spelling mistake is one of the most humiliating things that can happen.
- Do not complicate matters: It’s a myth that piling on more effects will make a photo look better.
- Learn as much as you can.
Bottom Line
Photoshop is a versatile image editor that’s used by many graphic designers and artists. When you buy Photoshop, you can use it forever – as long as you like – as long as you are willing to pay for the subscription.
Since it’s a desktop application, you’ll need to download it from Adobe’s website, and you should make sure that your operating system is supported by the software you choose. Once you have purchased and installed it, you can use it to create your own content and improve your skills by following the tutorials. It’s a great way to learn about the ins and outs of Photoshop, and it’s even better when you take advantage of the free trials so that you can try the software before you buy it.
