Got Photoshop CS already? Do you NEED Adobe Photoshop CS2?

Adobe Photoshop CS2 is the new upgrade to the immensely popular Photoshop CS. Just when you thought you had learnt about 10% of what this incredible software has to offer, they update it! For me I am still on a learning curve (and always will be) with the old version.

But for those of you that crave new things, and I must admit they are good, here is a breakdown of what new things you can expect with Adobe Photoshop CS2.

I you feel that an upgrade would help your workflow and ease the burden, we suggest upgrading from Amazon for the best prices.

• Adobe Bridge - For time saving handling
• The Revolutionary Vanishing Point - For adding more perspective
• Multiple Layer Control
• "Smart" Objects
• Multi Image Digital Camera RAW Processing of Files
• Image Warp
• Noise Reduction, Advanced
• 32 Bit HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support
• New Customisable Menus and Workspaces
• Spot Healing Brush
• Redeye Reduction with just one click

This, the next generation file browser from Adobe, will simplify your file handling leaving you more time to learn other features. You now have the ability to process multiple Raw images from your camera at once, use slideshow to quickly review your images, search by metadata and much more.

You can quickly locate, organise, browse and view your everyday items with scalable thumbs and visual previews. You can even use the right panel on Adobe Bridge, to page through an entire PDF file while you work.

Adobe Bridge in Photoshop CS2 is accessible from CS2 itself, as a standalone or as a floating palette on your screen. I have a feeling a second screen is definitely on the cards for me now!

Searching is made easier and more in depth as you can search by metadata information, version comments, files that have a certain set of fonts or even by the pantone colour.

Stock Photos

Adobe has introduced the ability to search images (royalty free) from the leading stock photo agencies, from one convenient location. Use a single shopping cart to purchase from a host of agencies, and manage all your images without having to leave Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Bridge Center

You can view and access your recent folders and files, including RSS feeds and tips and tricks from your software.

How they do it I will never know, but this feature of Adobe Photoshop CS2 allows you to expand on converging lines within your image. As an occasional architectural photographer myself, I can immediately see the benefits of this amazing addition. You can clearly see by the above image, the possibilities for this addition to your photography are endless. You can paint, clone, edit and paste elements of your picture which automatically match the perspective of the images surroundings.

Use this to group, transform, warp and move objects more intuitively by a simple click and drag onto your canvas. Also align any objects with new smart guides.

Here, you perform non-destructive rotating, warping and scaling of vector and raster graphics. You can even preserve the high resolution vector data's edit-ability from Adobe Illustrator software.

Speed up the workflow of your RAW image processing with the ability to simultaneously process multiple images while you continue working on other things. Obviously a reasonably powerful machine with decent RAM installed is recommended. Import your images (including DNG Digital Negative) and make the most of auto adjustments to your shadows, exposure, contrast and brightness.

The Adobe Photoshop CS2 RAW function provides quick and simple access within the Photoshop software to the RAW image formats produced by most leading pro and semi professional digital cameras (see list below). The new DNG standard allows you to achieve more artistic flexibility and control than ever before, whilst keeping the original files safe and sound.

CANON

EOS-1D, EOD-1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II and III, EOS-1Ds Mark II and III, EOS 5D, EOS-10D, EOS-20D, EOS 30D, 40D, 400D, EOS-D30, EOS-D60, EOS 300D, Powershot 600, A5, A50, Pro 1, S30, S40, S45, S50, S60, S70, G1, G2, G3, G4, G, G6, Pro 70 and Pro 90 IS.

Contax

N Digital

Epson

R-D1

FujiFilm

Finepix F700, S5000 Z, S7000 Z, S2 Pro, S20 Pro.

Kodak

DCS 14n, DCS Pro 14nx, DCS 720x, DCS760, DCS Pro SLR/n

Konica Minolta

DiMAGE A1, A2, A200, 5, 7, 7i, 7Hi, Maxxum 7D/Dynax 7D

Leaf

Valeo 6, 11, 22

Leica

Digilux 2

Nikon

D2, D2x, D3, D3x, D300, D1, D1H, D1X, D100, D2H, D70, D80, Coolpix 5000, 5400, 5700, 8700

Olympus

E-10, E-1, E-20, C-5050 Zoom, C-5060 Zoom, C-8080 Wide Zoom

Panasonic

Pentax

*ist D

Sigma

SD9, SD10

Sony

DSC-F828

Create your own mock ups of packaging or other dimensional effects easily, by wrapping an image around just about any shape. Use Adobe Photoshop CS2 to stretch, bend and curl any of your images using Image Warp.

With this rival to programs like Neat Image, you can polish up your digital photographs with Adobe's advanced noise correction at high ISO photography, also with JPEG artefact reduction.

Adobe Photoshop CS2 will create and edit 32 Bit digital images and combine multiple exposures into one 32 Bit image with expanded range. From the brightest highlights to the deepest of shadows.

This is a great feature if you have a very bright sky with dark foreground. You simply take 3 or 4 exposures and merge them together for a more desirable result. This was possible using Photoshop CS but slightly more time-consuming.

The Workspace and palettes just got updated. You can now get easier access to your most needed tools with task-based presets, highlight commonly used or new menu items, and set up and save custom workspaces and menus.

An expansion of the well used (in my case) healing brush. The spot healing brush allows you to effortlessly retouch your images (including 16 Bit), with a single click using the advanced power of the new Adobe Photoshop CS2 Spot Healing Brush.

Instantly remove redeye from your photos using the one click redeye correction tool. It supports 16 bit images and lets you manually set the level of darkening and size of the pupil.

So, with all these new features, does it justify the additional cost to the average Jo, or is it reserved for the professionals. If you are about to embark on the Photoshop journey for the first time, I would recommend this latest update no problem as you may in time, find the additional features useful.

If you are happy using Photoshop 7 or CS, then stick with it, more and more features can lead to inefficient time wasting by trying out and playing with new gimmicky features. If your work depends on digital imaging then Adobe Photoshop CS2 is a must, right? (Especially if your company is paying)

If you have concerns about the amount of RAM you currently have, and are looking to upgrade to or buy this product, go to Photoshop News.com and Photoshop CS2 - How Much RAM?