Photoshop Elements
Not Quite Photoshop - But Pretty Darn Good!

Photoshop Elements is an excellent digital editing program but it isn't as substantial a product as the full versions of Photoshop and not nearly as expensive!

Despite the fact that Elements is missing some of the more advanced features of the full version of Photoshop, it is a robust program that will enable you to achieve outstanding results and many Photoshop techniques can also be accomplished with Elements.

When you purchase a Bamboo Fun tablet or Intuos 4 you will find the full version of Photoshop Elements 6 right there in the box waiting for you.

Is Elements Pressure Sensitive?

All versions of Photoshop Elements work with the pressure sensitive tablets from Wacom.

This is how you set pressure sensitivity. Actually there are two different ways to set the brushes to react to pressure ...

Brush Tablet Options

This is a little drop down menu on the options bar. When it is selected the different brush dynamics can be set. The dynamics are:

Size
Opacity
Hue Jitter
Scatter
Roundness

At the risk of stating the obvious, all you do is choose the dynamic that you want! The nice thing about these terms is that they describe exactly what the dynamic does

Brush Selector

You can also select pressure sensitive brushes in the brush selector. The thumbnail shows exactly how the brush will react to pressure.


Brush changes size with pressure	Brush changes opacity with pressure

And this is what all of this means ...

	The brush stroke changes size with pressure.
	The brush stroke changes opacity with pressure.

Photoshop Elements Brush Settings

Photoshop Elements Gotta Know!

Layers

If there is one thing you absolutely need to understand when working with Photoshop Elements it is how to use layers!

So many new users avoid them at all cost and you know what - Layers are our friends!

The protect our original image, they apply modifications that can be changed, they save time - they are our useful and faithful friends.

Click on the thumbnail to learn how to use layers in all of your Elements projects ...

Blend Modes

Now that you have a complete understanding of layers its time to move on to the next subject - Layer Blend Modes.

Blend modes determine how one layer will react with the layer below it and they blend in unique and fabulous ways.

Elements has 25 blend modes but you only really need to understand 5 of them to make dramatic changes in your images. Elements and Photoshop use the Layer Blend Modes in the same way so this tutorial uses Photoshop screen shots but is pertinent to Elements as well.

Click the thumbnail to learn more about layer blend modes in Elements.

Levels Adjustments

The levels adjustment in Photoshop Elements may be the most powerful adjustment tool in the program.

With levels you can adjust brightness, contrast and even have a positive effect on the overall color of the image.

Click the thumbnail to learn all about the levels adjustment in Photoshop Elements.

The Histogram

The histogram inside Photoshop Elements is a very useful but not well understood piece of

information.

It tells you valuable information about the brightness and contrast of your image and provides a road map in the digital editing process. Do you know all you need to know aobut the histogram?

If not then click on the thumbnail to learn more (Note - a Photoshop histogram screen shot is used on the page but all the information is relevant to Photoshop elements as well)

Scrapbooking With Photoshop Elements

More and more, scrapbookers and crafters are coming to understand how powerful and fun Elements is in supporting their favorite hobby. The latest versions of Elements (6.0 and 7.0) offer some really great pre-sets for creating backgrounds and framing images.

The following tutorials are aimed at the scrapbooker but these techniques are also valid for folks who just want to edit and present their images using Elements.

Scrapbook Home Page

The main page of the scrapbooking section provides an overview of the tools in Elements and links to the digital editing tutorials on this page.

Click the thumbnail image to visit the scrapbook home page.

Pre-Set Backgrounds

photoshop elements creating scrapbook backgrounds

Photoshop Elements has 262 built in backgrounds you can use in your scrapbook projects! They range from formal and understated to wild and colorful.

Click on the thumbnail to learn about this great feature of Photoshop Elements 6.0 and 7.0 and how to create a fabulous background for your projects.

Making Your Own Backgrounds

The advantages of making your own backgrounds are that they are totally unique and they reflect your creative abilities.

There are a variety of different methods to making backgrounds and they can be combined in many, many different ways.

The techniques you will learn include filters and tools like the Pattern Stamp Tool as well as some adjustment layers.

Click the thumbnail to learn how to make your own backgrounds.

Inserting Images

Adding images to your scrapbook background is straight forward once you know how. Images can be added using a simple drag and drop method and they can be added using clipping masks.

Photoshop Elements eliminates the hassles of resizing images with Smart Objects. Click the thumbnail to learn more about the uinque features of Elements including Clipping Masks and Smart Objects.

Adding Layer Styles

After the images are on the page, Layer Styles are the next step. They add cool effects like Drop Shadows, Inner Glows and all manner of things to help your images stand out on a scrapbook page.

Layer styles are not confined to scrapbooking because they can be used effectively in digital imaging as well. Click the thumbnail to learn more about adding Layer Styles.

Working With Text

Probably the last thing your will enter on your scrapbook pages is the text.

Text can be plain or it can be fancy and it should never overpower the other elements on the page.

Click the thumbnail to learn the basics of adding text.

Working With Photoshop Elements

Many Photoshop Elements techniques are exactly the same in Photoshop. Good to know, right? The following techniques work with both programs.

Dodging and Burning

Dodging and burning is a time honored method of improving an over or underexposed image and has its roots in the darkroom.

It is a lot easier using Elements to dodge and burn that it was back in the day when photographers used pieces of cardboard to do the work.

The thumbnail is a picture of my dogs playing outside and I did an awful job with the exposure.

Click on the thumbnail to learn more about dodging and burning and to learn a different method of dodging and burning.

Changing Color

If you have ever wanted to change the color an something in an image - well - you have come to the right place.

There are a couple of ways to replace the color in an image - one is OK and the other is very effective.

Click on the tumbnail to discover some techniques to change color in your images.

Creating Reflections

Everyone likes to create a nice reflection under an object and this tutorial will show you how to do it.

It was written for Photoshop but the techniques are the same in Photoshop Elements. It is fun to do and will create a dramatic reflection.

Click the thumbnail to learn how to create a nice reflection of an object.

Remove Shine

Have you ever had a perfect digital shot except for one minor flaw - the shiny spot on a forehead or nose or cheek or even glasses caused by the sun or a flash?

It seems that eliminating that shine is a real problem for a lot of folks - so - here is a tutorial that demonstrates how to eliminate those annoying hotspots.

Click the thumbnail to learn the deep, dark secrets of shine removal!

The Clone Tool

This is one of those tools that Photoshop and Photoshop Elements folks love to use. The Clone Tool moves pixels from one place to another and it is useful in a wide variety of situations.

Click on the thumbnail to learn more about using the Clone Tool.

Selections

Working with selections can be very frustrating but it is a necessary part of successful digital editing with Photoshop Elements.

Elements has 8 selection tools in the tool bar - here is your chance to learn more about how to use these tools.

Click the thumbnail to learn more about selections.

Photoshop Elements Tutorials

Digital Dental Hygiene

Making teeth whiter can have a dramatic effect on the overall look of an image. There are a couple of different tooth whitening methods.

This tutorial presents two different approaches - one uses a soft light layer and the other uses the dodge tool.

Work through them with your own image to find the one that works best for you.

Click the thumbnail to start your digital dental hygiene career!

Hi Key Images

A hi key image is one where the blacks are toned down, the mid tones ae toned down and the highlights are accentuated.

They are very dramatic images that always elicit a positive comment.

Hi key images are not difficult to create and this tutorial will show you how.

Click the thumbnail to learn how to create a hi key image.

Color Correction

If you have ever had an image with a nasty color cast then you know how resistant it can be to

change. Elements has a built in Auto feature to correct color but what do you do if that does not work?

You do it manaully, that's what you do. This method of color correction is surprisingly quick, easy and effective.

It makes use of the Average Filter and the technique will probably become part of you everyday Elements workflow.

Click the thumbnail to go to the tutorial and video.

Color Curves

I didn't think that Photoshop Elements had the very powerful and useful curves adjustment in the program.