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Read Me First introduction to Photoshop Elements version 9's Organizer

Adobe Photoshop Elements is an outstanding application. Version 9 was announced today. PSE9 is the latest edition of the digital image editing software that is the affordable, consumer sibling to Adobe's expensive, professional Photoshop CS5.

Adobe's product web site is http://www.adobe.com/products/

Don't be fooled by Elements' modest price. Most photographers can use it for all their photo edits, without encountering or embracing more than a fraction of PSE's powerful set of features.

History Lesson

The Windows and Macintosh versions 1 and 2 of Photoshop Elements shipped with both platforms' installers on the same CD. Everything changed with version 3. Apple had recently introduced iPhoto, which had no Windows equivalent. Adobe quickly developed the Organizer module to give Windows purchasers of Photoshop Elements a way to catalog and organize photos that in theory was similar to what Apple provided in iPhoto.

This disconnect has been remedied in PSE9, with its identical Organizer for Windows and Macintosh. For Mac versions 3 through 8, Adobe provided first a File Browser and eventually a Bridge module, similar to those in professional Photoshop, which could be used in parallel but not in conjunction with the versatile, powerful iPhoto.

Adobe's Organizer was buggy, awkward, confusing, and difficult to master in versions 3, 4, and 5. Versions 6, 7, and 8 saw improvements. Unfortunately for Windows buyers of PSE, Apple's iPhoto consistently has had superior usability. Many switchers from Windows to Mac exclaim, when encountering iPhoto, "why doesn't Adobe or Microsoft provide software as good as iPhoto?"

Ironically, most beginner and intermediate Windows PSE users are content to ignore Adobe's Organizer. Instead, they keep track of their digital image library in the brain dead simple basic Windows Library Pictures folder, formerly known as My Pictures. I have had hundreds of adult digital photo students who are content with basic Windows folder housekeeping, and only one student who made the effort to use the Adobe Organizer. That student now uses a Mac with iPhoto.

Ahead to the Past

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, an expensive professional catalog and editing application, is beyond the learning curve for most beginner and intermediate digital photographers. The new Organizer is a "lite" version of Lightroom, if you squint your eyes and look at it sideways.

Adobe's version 9 Organizer for Windows and Mac appears at first glance to be confusing, but with a little concentration all readers of this column can get started with baby steps. I have personally been resistant to becoming familiar with prior versions of Adobe's Organizer, and in a few hours yesterday I learned enough about it via seat of pants self-tutoring to feel comfortable discussing it with Mac and Windows buyers of PSE9.

For Windows users, it's a no brainer, because there is no 900 pound iPhoto in the Applications Folder. Find a couple of good Adobe or independent Organizer tutorials, and start building your Catalog. I'll have more information on suitable resources once PSE9 ships, followed by links to helpful print and Internet lessons.

For Macintoshers, it's not so straightforward. Integration between iPhoto and Adobe Elements 9 Organizer, its official name, was not seamless during my crash self-course. I will work with Adobe to get clarification and guidance to optimize the experience on a Mac. You can begin by exporting a bunch of iPhotos to your Mac Desktop, then choose File > Get Photos or Videos > From Files or Folders, then navigate to your test folder.

Ahead to the Future

Video is the future. Organizer 9 works with both still photos and video files, the latter for editing in Adobe's companion Premiere Elements 9. I will leave video editing to other writers, but be aware your new PSE Organizer makes nice with both photos and movies. It will be interesting to see how Mac users cozy up to Premiere Elements 9, with respect to the legacy of iMovie, which is equal to that of iPhoto, and is also included in the iLife suite. 

Here are the Apple web links for iPhoto and iMovie.

The Organize tab (upper right) handles your image catalog, and the adjacent Fix tab allows basic non-destructive automatic photo fixes, plus one click access to PSE's traditional Editor interface. The Create tab takes you to handy project workflow wizards, and the Share tab provides opportunities to export images to online, mobile, email, and a couple of other destinations.

Organizer's Catalog is the main event here. Once you populate it, you can decide (Windows) if it's more versatile than your Pictures folder, or (Macintosh) if it's more powerful for organizing a massive collection of images than is iPhoto. I have no recommendation yet, so watch this space, and Read Me First.

Adobe's File Browser? Ancient history. Adobe CS Bridge included with Photoshop Elements 9? Nope. 

You've been avoiding Adobe's Organizer? Get over it. It's included with Elements 9, so give it a try.

QUESTION: Can PSE9's Organizer be considered as a replacement for iPhoto (migration) or do Macintosh PSE9 users have to learn to use both (integration)?

ANSWER: No, and no. Mac users of Photoshop Elements 9 can use the Editor as in the past, and gradually introduce the new Organizer into their catalog workflow as they find it to be useful.