Monobod wrote:
I always find these discussions to be fruitless. Sometimes I think the detractors say what they say because they do not understand Photoshop and simply use it badly, getting bad results, which then turns them off the package. Then, forever more they say it is not necessary.

This is of course a bit of nonsense. If one takes images in raw, then ACR is absolutely necessary to produce a printable image file. The raw data will always need a degree of work done on it to fine tune the white balance, exposure level and correct slight excesses at both ends of the histogram, I do not believe that even those most careful always take an image that has a perfect histogram straight out of the camera. Digital raw images also need a carefully targetted degree of sharpening, something that is often done crudely in camera when taking jpeg files.

Photoshop does for the digital photographer exactly what could be done for the film photographer in his dark room. It enables the photographer to produce the finest possible final image. But is does so in a non poluting environment with the ability to retrace your workflow right back to the raw image. Non destructive enhancement. Try that with film!

CS4 is a modern marvel, used with intellegent care it is the best tool a digital photographer could have and an essential for the professionals.

Darkman wrote:
Whats included? Is it boxed with software manuals accessories etc?