Photoshop Elements 12 Review

Many, many requests were made for me to review the new Photoshop Elements 12. I apologize this is coming two months late, but I hope it is beneficial to those still considering upgrading.

This review includes a GIVEAWAY! Two readers who leave a comment will be randomly selected to receive a free copy of PSE 12. Giveaway ends Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 PM EST. See instructions the bottom of the post to see how to enter.

Photoshop Elements 12

Photoshop Elements 12, which was released in September, is the newest version of Elements but it was not a major upgrade like Elements 11 was last year. The interface is identical to PSE 11, which was a drastic change from previous versions.

There was one significant addition, the content aware move tool, which you can sometimes use to move objects or subjects from one spot to another in an image. It works only when your subject is in front of a consistent background.

content aware move tool

 

I am not nearly as eloquent as I’d like to be when reviewing products, so instead I will send you to aΒ more thorough review at Macworld (PC users don’t be worried, the review applies to both PC and Mac).

One of the most frequently asked questions I get after a new version comes out is “should I upgrade?”Β 

  • If you have PSE 5 through 8 – definitely YES!
  • If you have PSE 9 or 10 – maybe. It really depends on if you would like the text on shape tool (pretty cool one in my book) and the content aware move tool. The new interface may frustrate you though, but you will get the hang of it.
  • If you have PSE 11 – NO! It is not worth upgrading for the few additions that were made between PSE 11 and PSE 12.

Below is a video showing the layout of PSE 12 and the new content aware move tool. After that preview I show how to customize the workspace, if you have PSE 11 and PSE 12.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

The Giveaway is now closed. The winning comment numbers were 55 and 103, and emails have been sent to those who left the comments. Thank you to all who entered!

To enter to win one of the two copies of PSE 12, leave a comment on this blog post telling me what version of PSE you currently use (or that you don’t yet own PSE).

  • One entry per person
  • Comment must be left on this blog post, not on Facebook
  • Giveaway ends Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 PM EST
  • Winners will be chosen via Random.org
  • Winners will be notified via email and have seven days to respond, after which an alternate winner will be selected


About Amanda

I am passionate about helping others learn how to use their DSLR cameras and editing programs. More information about me can be found at my About page, or by visiting my personal blog.

Comments

  1. Carrie Dietrich says:

    I don’t have any of the version of Photoshop Elements. I’ve been trying out the trial of version 12 and really love all that you can do with it! I love taking photos and turning them pieces of art! It would be such a blessing to win, my trial is getting ready to run out πŸ™

  2. I have PSE11 and use it nearly daily! Thanks for the review (and links to other reviews)!

  3. I use PSE 9.

  4. Jennifer DC says:

    I’m currently using PSE 9 and have been on the fence for quite a while about upgrading.

  5. I am using PSE 7 I have been wanting to upgrade!

  6. Finally got PSE 12 on cyber Monday for $49.99 ! Was using PSE 9. Still haven’t checked it all out, but looks like some cool new features! Excited!

  7. I have been using PSE 10 for about two years and have thought about upgrading to 12. My only reluctance is the amount of time it has taken me to learn how to use it (with tons of help from your site!) I still have much to learn so a little anxious about starting over.

  8. I had 10 and went to 12 already on the desktop. The new layout is a bit aggravating only because I was so used to the other. I’m not sure if it was in 11 but I like the ability to open any image in Camera Raw.

  9. I currently use PSE 11 more than any of the other brands.

  10. Oops! It is PSE 10 that I use, not 11!

  11. I have 11, but will soon be getting a MacBook so I think I need to either upgrade or purchase a new edition. Not too sure how that all works! Winning 12 would make life so much easier.

  12. Scrappin Annie says:

    I’m dying to upgrade as I only have PSE 8 – and I do want to make my own actions but every time I think of upgrading some other claim eats up the money…..

  13. jan feehan says:

    Hi, Amanda. Found your review an interesting one. Was wondering what the interface is? I currently use Elements 9 on a Mac Book pro. I am anticipating adding Lightroom for the organization part, as with an external hard drive, it seems a bit cumbersome. I load pictures from my camera to i-photo and then import them into Elements organizer. I was wondering if I should upgrade to Elements 12 for the editing part. If this all makes sense??

  14. shanacbell@gmail.com says:

    Thank you for the time to review this, Amanda. The content aware tool looks like a lot of fun!

  15. I currently use PSE 9. Thank you for this chance to upgrade!

  16. Heather Forer says:

    I am currently using 10 and pondering upgrading to 12. Thank you for the chance to do so!

  17. EP Starling says:

    I currently use 10 and would love the new additions in 12!

  18. I first got PSE9; a month later, PSE10 came out. Adobe let me upgrade for free which was great! I would love to have PSE12. Thank you for the opportunity!

  19. I use PSE 9 and I was wondering if I should upgrade, but hadn’t really looked into it yet. Thanks for the review!

  20. I upgraded to PSE10 and missed the big update in 11 – can’t wait to see PSE12!!!

  21. I use my PSE 9 all the time!

  22. Thanks for the review! I just signed up for the Cloud and have just dabbled a little in the full blown Photoshop. It is quite intimidating! If I would win this, I would give it to a friend who is currently using PSE10.

  23. Michele Thibodeau says:

    Thanks for reviewing, it would be nice to upgrade.

  24. Jan in Alberta says:

    I use PSE 10. I’m not sure I’d upgrade to 12 but if I won it… that would be just fine with me!!

  25. I always am interested in making digital work easier — and PSE 12 sounds like it might be just that.

  26. Autumn McFarland says:

    PSE 10

  27. I have 10… Not sure if I should upgrade

  28. I currently have PSE 10. After attending two of your webinars, I started to really like the layout. Love the tool for adding text to shapes! And if I heed your advice and actually use the organizer πŸ™‚ then why not try on a newer version?!

  29. Victoria S. says:

    I currently use PSE 10. I would love to upgrade to PSE 12!!!

  30. I use 9 Thanks

  31. I have PSE 10 and love it! I’d love to win a copy.
    I’m a HUGE fan of EE. I use your actions on pretty much every pic I edit.
    Thank you so much for all your hard work sharing with us!!!!

  32. Jenn Irwin says:

    I haver PSE 11 but have been having nothing but problems with it as of late. Slowness, runs behind the scenes where I have to kill it through task manager, I can’t delete certain jpg files, etc. Not sure what the deal is, but the problems alone are making the upgrade look mighty appealing!

  33. I use PSE 9 on windows 8 and have yet to figure out how to open raw files. I tried the trial version of 12 and loved it! I’m love to win! Thanks!

  34. I’ve been using 10 for a couple of years now, and I’m so use to it that I hate to change. However, your review helps me to see the differences in the 2 versions and to know where to expect the changes. Thanks for reviewing!

  35. Don’t currently have any versions of PSE. I use gimp. Would love to have PSE – so many things I could use with it.

  36. I have PSE 8. I would love to upgrade so that I can install actions more easily. Thanks for the chance to win!

  37. I have PSE ll. Thanks to your webinars and tutorials it is starting to become easier to use.

  38. I am currently using PSE 6. So I guess it is time for me to upgrade πŸ™‚

  39. I had PSE 3 for quite a while and upgraded to PSE 8 when PSE 9 came out (because it was discounted!).

  40. I currently have PSE 10. I’m pretty happy with it, but if I won a free upgrade – you betcha I’d be super stoked to use it!!!

  41. I would love to upgrade. I’ve been using PSE10 and love it, but I’m ready for a challenge. πŸ™‚

  42. Im using PSE10. I’d love to upgrade so that I could use certain Actions that only work n 11 & 12. otherwise I’ll wait a while longer. I’m hoping Adobe will include the warp feature in Elements.

  43. Im using PSE10. I’d love to upgrade so that I could use certain Actions that only work in 11 & 12. otherwise I’ll wait a while longer. I’m hoping Adobe will one year include the warp feature in Elements.

  44. Currently, I have PSE 5, 9 and 10. Wanted 10 for Christmas one year and also a Wacom tablet – PSE 9 came with the tablet. Oh well. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

  45. Michelle Swendsrud says:

    I have PSE 10, and I would love to upgrade to 12. Great giveaway…crossing my fingers!!!

  46. I’m using PSE 10 – an upgrade would be fabulous! Thanks so much for the opportunity.

  47. Marilyn Nolt says:

    Still using 6 so it’s time I guess. Thx

  48. I currently use PSE 11. Loved your review and would also love to win the new PSE 12. Thanks for the chance to win!

  49. You always have the BEST giveaways!!! Put me in!!! I’m using PSE 10 now.

  50. I use PSE 9 and have longed for the text on shape tool! Thanks for all the tutorials, I rely on them!

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