Which Photoshop?

[HeteronormativeBuckethead]

DS would like a copy of Photoshop for his 15th bday.
I've looked on ebay and am a bit bewildered at the choice.
He will want to edit photos, graphics and create his own stuff.

Is Photoshop Elements the current one or is that just for photos?
All advice appreciated.

Has he looked at the free on line ones yet?

pixlr.com/express/

gimp is nearly as good as photoshop.

picasa

to name a few and they are all free.

Photoshop Elements doesn't have all the features of the full programme, I'm not sure which are missing though. Photoshop CS5 is the latest full version I think. He may be eligible for a student copy which will be cheaper.

I use GIMP (free) a lot - the only thing I've found it won't do is CMYK which is only a problem if you want things professionally printed (flyers or posters or whatnot). It's not, however, industry standard so if he's considering a career in graphics or digital art or something, it could make more sense to stick to Photoshop.

Thanks for the answers so far. Looks like CS5 might be the one to get?

DS has already rejected my suggestions of free programmes (either he knows something or just wants the costlier option!)
I was going to say that the family are clubbing together for this one and it will be his only present really so I don't mind paying. Then I looked at the prices - £220???!

Photoshop CS5 £174 from Software4Students. If you see a cheaper offer it will be pirated.

Alternatives:

GIMP - free, nearly as powerful but not quite and some people find they just can't work with the user interface. Get him a subscription to a flashy

Corel Paint Shop Pro for photographs plus Painter for digital art - about £100 together from Software4Students and arguably better than Photoshop unless you are producing artwork for professional (CMYK) reproduction.