Using PS Elements skills to learn PS CS5

<p>I am proficient with PS Elements both in terms of what it can do and how I like to use it in my own style of post-production. I'm interested in learning PS CS5--not necessarily to switch completely (or perhaps even partially) from PS Elements, but more for my own edification--so I can make the decision about using it after I've used it for a while. I think this is preferable to go full-speed ahead with learning it because in my very limited use of it, I can see it will take me a long time to reach the level that I'm at with Elements (at least it seems so). My question is whether I should approach learning CS5 as a completely new program, or will there be a 'natural' progression of what I know of Elements in my study of PS CS5. In a way, I am viewing this goal the way someone that speaks Spanish might try to learn Portuguese, i.e., if the Spanish (being so similar to Portuguese) can get in the way of learning because of the possibility of mixing up similar procedures (i.e., vocabularly usage, syntax, and pronunciation). I know this isn't quite a good analogy since Portuguese isn't more complicated than Spanish--just different, wheras PS CS5 seems more challenging than PSE.</p>

<p>I think your approach is the right one. I've been using Photoshop since Photoshop 3.0 (We're now on 12.0/CS5), and I've never gotten into PSE, but from the little that I have used it, it's similar, albeit less powerful and less featured, to full blown Photoshop.</p>

<p>Here's a down and dirty about some of the differences and what you lose when moving from PSE to PSCS5</p>

<p>http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/f/elementscompare.htm</p>

<p>RS</p>

<p><em>I like it</em></p>

<p>I started with PSE 3.0 before I migrated(able to afford) to CS2 and beyond. PSE was not as overwhelming as full blown Photoshop, so it was much easier to learn the basics. Currently I'm up to PSE vs 9, but I'm still on Photoshop CS2. I might upgrade this year if I don't find something else to spend my money on. </p>