Thanks so much for your input here. It's all really helpful - understanding how LR and PS Elements can work together etc.

Thanks Tim, that makes sense as I was struggling a bit with the Lightroom cloning/healing tool because of just what you say. That's good then, I haven't invested in the wrong piece of software!!

I'll apologise in advance if this topic has been done to death, but I'd be really grateful for some advice. I've just invested in Lightroom 3 and so I'm new to finding my way around it. Already I like it but I need to learn more. I recently went on a course where people were saying how great Lightroom is but that they also use Photoshop. Am I right in thinking Lightroom is limited in being able remove things you don't want in a picture (aside from cropping of course) or adding more depth to a sky for example and this is where you need Photoshop? If so, would Elements be sufficient?

Any advice that won't scare me technically would be most appreciated

Katie.

Er, yep. My Grandad's Spotmatic is the camera that got me into photography. Film makes me think hard about everything! I have it in my rucksack particularly for landscapes using my tripod. It's very much my learning tool.

Wow, this has been so helpful - thanks everyone for contributing to my initial question. I feel much better informed on editing software now. I'm a bit of a purist, but would still like to get into editing just to see what it's capable of creatively. Thanks again.

That's great - thanks very much everyone, that's all really helpful, I shall investigate those options further. Having started on a Spotmatic, it's quite a transition for me!

Hi - I'm fairly new to SLR photography, although loving every minute with my K7 and I currently don't have any editing software (beyond the basics in Apple's iPhoto). I don't want to go mad and spend a fortune as I'm also a bit of a purist, but I'm keen to learn more. Can anyone recommend the best starting point for me? Many thanks.

Thanks Tony, that' really useful info re. the battery, I will definitely follow up. Really glad I ventured into the forum, still finding my way around things!

I'm a bit delayed in commenting on this, but just thought I'd like to as my interest in photography has come from my Grandad's Spotmatic. My Mum kept it after he died and she didn't really know what to do with it - a few camera shops said it was worth nothing! Last year I asked her if I could have a go with it - I believe it is the original version. My Grandad developed his own prints, so my Mum was thrilled at me showing an interest. It is such a delight to use it - the light meter doesn't work however and I'm told you can't get the batteries anymore? I've used a manual light meter as an alternative.

The Spotmatic has got me into photography and I absolutely love it.

I am now the proud owner of a K7 and I'm learning with both cameras. I think my Grandad would be chuffed!