Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 includes some of the best and most useful features of the full version of Photoshop at a price that casual users and hobbyists can afford. But despite the fact that it's aimed at the consumer market, it has a somewhat steep learning curve.

Like Adobe's other software products, Photoshop Elements 4 has a clean, well-organized interface. It also offers enough tools, features, and options to intimidate new or non-technical users. The main screen provides access to program features and options via clickable icons (Product Overview, View and Organize Photos, Quickly Fix Photos, Edit and Enhance Photos, Make Photo Creations, Start From Scratch and Tutorials). The Tutorials link is deceptive. It takes you to a small group of tutorials on Adobe's web site that focus on specific program features, rather than an overview of the program. Fortunately, if you click the Start From Scratch or Edit and Enhance Photos icons, the main screen for these two functions features How Tos that walk you through using the program.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 is really several separate programs rolled into one. Technically, the programs are integrated, but moving between them is not intuitive. Once you access one of the main functions, such as editing photos, there is no clear path back to the main screen to choose a different function.

If you have the patience to work your way through the Help and How To files, you will find a professional-level collection of tools that can handle many of the tasks you will probably ever want to tackle, including automatically correcting exposure problems; zapping red eye; banishing spots and imperfections; rotating or cropping images; and adding text or special effects with drawing or painting tools.

A 30-day trial version of Adobe Photoshop Elements is available for downloading from the Adobe web site.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 offers most of the photo editing and organizational tools that many individuals will ever need, but be prepared to spend some time learning how to use it.


Pros: A powerful collection of photo editing and organizational tools at a price that's practically a steal, includes the option to create slide shows, DVDs with menus, greeting cards, photo albums, and calendars
Cons: While certainly more beginner friendly than Photoshop, it has a surprisingly steep learning curve for a program that's aimed at consumers


Specifications:
Available for: IBM PCs and compatibles.

Minimum requirements (PC):
Intel Pentium III or 4 or Intel Centrino (or compatible) 800MHz processor
Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Home Edition, or Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
256MB of RAM (512MB recommended)
900MB of available hard-disk space
Color monitor with 16-bit color video card
1,024x768 monitor resolution
Microsoft DirectX 9 compatible display driver
CD-ROM drive
For handhelds: Requires Palm OS 4.0, 4.1, or 5.0 and Palm Desktop 4.0 or 4.01

Minimum requirements (Mac):
PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
Mac OS X v.10.3 or 10.4
256MB of RAM
750MB of available hard-disk space
1,024x768 16-bit (XGA) display
CD-ROM drive