When I first became interested in Digital Scrapbooking, I had absolutely no idea that you even needed a Software Program in order to begin Digital Scrapbooking! I am not quite sure how I imagined that I would begin Digital Scrapbooking, but I didn’t realize right-off-the-bat that I would need any Software! Luckily my mom was already an avid Digital Scrapbooker at the time and explained that in order to begin Digital Scrapbooking, that yes, I would in fact need to purchase Digital Scrapbooking/Photo Editing Software. She went on to explain that this type of Software would allow me to combine both Digital Photos and Digital Supplies together (like Digital Papers, Frames, Embellishments, etc) to make Digital Scrapbooking Pages! Photo Editing Software would also help me enhance my Digital Photos, edit my Digital Pages, and create beautiful Digital Scrapbooking Projects!

So now that I knew I needed to get some Software in order to start Digital Scrapbooking, I wasn’t quite sure which Software to choose or which Program was best! My mom explained to me that there are basically two, quality Digital Scrapbooking/Photo Editing Software Programs to choose from: either Adobe® Photoshop® OR Adobe® Photoshop® Elements. She went on to tell me that although there are other Digital Scrapbooking Software Programs on the market, but that she was not a fan of any of the other, less-reliable brands. If you’re curious to know why, feel free to read her blog article about her not-so-fun experience using other Digital Scrapbooking Software Programs.

So, that narrowed it down a bit. I could choose between Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements, but which one was better? She continued by telling me the difference between the two Adobe Programs, as well as their Pros and Cons:

Adobe® Photoshop®. PROS: Photoshop was created with Graphic Designers in mind for Professional Magazine Advertising. And although it wasn’t designed to be extremely user-friendly, the program is not quite as difficult as it may seem with the right kind of training. CONS: It’s very expensive and costs roughly about $700. Again, it’s not designed to be extremely user-friendly, so without quality training, simple tasks can seem as complicated as brain surgery!

Need Training? See Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Getting Started Series for Digital Scrapbooking Tutorials within Photoshop for Beginners.

Adobe® Photoshop® Elements. PROS: Photoshop Elements was created to be user-friendly for any type of Digital Scrapbooking or Photo Editing-Enthusiast (and not necessarily an Artistic Professional). It costs anywhere from $50-80 which is definitely much more reasonable than Photoshop. It can perform many of the tasks-needed and achieve quality results. CONS: Elements doesn’t have some of the Color Settings needed for some types professional projects (like Magazine Ads, for example), and it can’t do all the advanced techniques that Photoshop can. Not to mention, although it’s much more user-friendly, it still can seem a little confusing without quality training; especially when it comes to Digital Scrapbooking!

Current Version of Adobe Photoshop Elements if you are ready to purchase: Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7 (IF YOU HAVE A PC COMPUTER) OR Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 (IF YOU HAVE A MAC COMPUTER)

Need Training? See Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Getting Started Series for Digital Scrapbooking Tutorials within Photoshop Elements 7 for Beginners. We also have Training in Photoshop Elements 6.

So, all that said, which Software should YOU choose? If you want Digital Scrapbooks and More’s advice, we recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements, especially for Beginners. The reason we recommend Elements is because although Photoshop was created for professionals, Photoshop Elements can honestly do many of the same things, look incredibly professional, all at a fraction of the cost! Not to mention, Photoshop Elements is much less complicated, especially with Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Getting Started Series Training in Digital Scrapbooking for Beginners! Unless you become an extremely Advanced Digital Scrapbooker; you may not ever feel the need to advance to Adobe Photoshop. Not to mention, if you become a Digital Scrapbooking Pro someday, you can always upgrade to Photoshop later.

Although Digital Scrapbooks and More does not make this Software (obviously!), we do happen to sell the Adobe Software on our website through Amazon.com. To purchase the Adobe Software, whether you decide to invest in Adobe Photoshop, or Adobe Photoshop Elements, you can buy the Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements Digital Scrapbooking/Photo Editing Software easily at our Scrap Shop.

Anyway, I have come a long way since I was confused about Digital Scrapbooking/Photo Editing Software Programs, but I figure if I was completely overwhelmed by it at one time, then perhaps there are others who are brand new to Digital Scrapbooking and feel just as lost as I once was. Bottom line is, it’s all up to you, but just know that Digital Scrapbooks and More is always here for you if you need any help or advice!