Newbie to Photoshop Elements 9

tmartin2347 · Feb 20, 2011

Just downloaded elements 9 trial version, and so far I love it. There's a lot more on there then I've ever had to play around with for photo editing.

Here are some shots I took a year or so ago that I was playing around with, let me know what you think.

SlickSalmon · Feb 20, 2011

I'm a real fan of Elements 9, myself. While I have read tons of photoshop books, another TPC member recommended, "The Photoshop Elements 9 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby and Matt Klowkowski. I recommend this book, because it talks about how to get things done, rather than simply discussing all the program's commands.

KmH · Feb 20, 2011

tmartin2347 said:
Just downloaded elements 9 trial version, and so far I love it. There's a lot more on there then I've ever had to play around with for photo editing.

Here are some shots I took a year or so ago that I was playing around with, let me know what you think.

Centered horizons tend to rob a landscape image of dynamism. Usually making either the sky or the land 2/3 rds of the image makes a more interesting photo. A good resource for PsE info is www.elementsvillage.com

The horizon in #1 was not level. Using PsE 7, it's version of ACR, and a Topaz labs plug-in to adjust mid-tone contrast, I straightened it, corrected the under exposure, adjusted the Vibrance, did some dodge and burn, a little sharpening, and made a frame for the photo. A key technique I used was using the selection tools so I could make local rather than global adjustments to the photo. I was able to adjust the sky separately from the rest of the photo by selecting that part of the photo from the horizon line down, saving the selection, and using the Invert option to select the opposite, just the sky.
Once you learn how to use Photoshop, it's amazing what you can do.

Teagan · Feb 20, 2011

I also downloaded the trial on Photoshop Elements and loved it. Once the trial expired, I then downloaded the trail for Photoshop CS5.........I think I'm going to be out $700 dollars now instead of $100. Although, I also discovered for $500 I can take a couple classes at a community college (one on photography and one on photoshop) and then qualify for the $200 Photoshop CS5 student version......