Photoshop Elements Blog

Photoshop Elements 10 Books

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:48:45 GMT

I have updated the Books Page. Check out all the great books available for Photoshop Elements 10!

The Magic Eraser Tool In Photoshop Elements

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:55:02 GMT

The Magic Eraser Tool can be used to change Backgrounds in your photos. Watch it actually being used for that purpose in the video.

Photoshop Elements Lasso Tool Bug

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:44:15 GMT

I have had a few people email me asking for help with a weird problem they're experiencing with the Lasso Tool. Apparently as they use the Lasso, it disappears and sometimes gives an error message. After a while it reappears, but the selection has shifted and is not where it should be. I found a discussion about the problem on the Adobe Forum and there are some workarounds that people have shared. Here is a link to the Forum. http://forums.adobe.com/message/3229128#3229128 Good Luck! - Rick

The Background Eraser Tool in Photoshop Elements

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:02:11 GMT

The Background Eraser Tool in Photoshop Elements can be very handy for certain kinds of edits. Learn all about it here.

The Eraser Tool in Photoshop Elements

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:12:30 GMT

The Eraser Tool seems like it should be pretty straight-forward and for the most part it is. But there are a couple things you should know about how it works.

GREAT CYBER MONDAY SALE AT SNAPFISH - TODAY ONLY

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:45:08 GMT

Cyber Monday Deals From Snapfish

Up to 500 Penny Prints + 50% Off Site-Wide Up to 500 Penny Prints Get up to 500 4” x 6” prints for only a penny each! Enter coupon code PENNYNOV through November 28.

Cyber Monday Deals From Snapfish

Lynda.com Training is Free for Seven Days

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:48:34 GMT

Get help from Lynda.com with sorting out how to use Photoshop Elements. And you can try if free for seven days.

Size Your Photos For Quality Prints

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:39:47 GMT

How big of a print can you make on your inkjet printer without losing quality? Do you have enough info in the digital file to make an 8x10 or a 5x7 or can you only print it at 3x5? This tutorial shows an easy way to figure it out.

CREATE A FADE WITH THE GRADIENT TOOL

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:58:51 GMT

This is a technique that not only is a nice affect, but can also be used to lessen distracting objects in a photo.

Give it a try using this easy step-by-step procedure!

resources

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:58:01 GMT

A list of Resources for Photoshop Elements users.

Change Brush Size Quickly As You Work

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:19:06 GMT

Change your brush size quickly in Photoshop Elements with keyboard shortcuts as you work. Two easy ways to do it.

A Watermark Brush is Easy to Make with Photoshop Elements

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:34:05 GMT

Creating a Watermark Brush is EASY with Photoshop Elements. Clear, step-by-step instructions in both a video and a written tutorial

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10 IS HERE!!!

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:45:21 GMT

Adobe introduced a brand new version of Photoshop Elements on Tuesday 9-20, Version 10.

It looks like it's going to list for $99. It also sounds like you can upgrade for $79.

If you just bought Version 9 (after September 2), you might be eligible for a free upgrade. To find out if you qualify Click here.

Here's a short video that shows some of the new features. This video has some features of Premiere Elements too. Premiere is Adobes Video editing program and they also released a new version of that:

You can also go here to see some of the new features…New Features

Looks like some pretty cool stuff. Can't wait to start playing around with it!

4 Videos With 20 Tips and Printable Cheat Sheets

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:52:39 GMT

I've completed my video series of 20 Essential Photoshop Elements Tips. Each video comes with a cheat sheet which you can print out that reminds you how to use the tips covered in the videos.

These are some of the techniques I use all the time in Elements to help me work more efficiently.

I tried to choose tips that anyone could use, even if you're just getting started with Photoshop Elements. So these are things you can use without needing a lot of prior knowledge of Elements.

Here are some of the things you'll learn:

Some great tips on the quickest ways to navigate around Elements.
How to free up more space on your screen when you're in Elements so you have more room for your photos.
How to get out of a jam without having to start all over.
What "Scrubby Sliders" are and the different ways to use them...even when you think you can't.
A sure-fire way to inspect your entire photo without missing a single pixel.
Some great tips for working with text in Elements.

Each tip is clearly explained and demonstrated in the videos.

Just sign up below and I'll send the first video to you right away.

WHAT'S GOIN ON???

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:27:42 GMT

I hope your summer is going well!

I thought I should touch base since I haven't posted anything new in a while.

I definitely have not abandoned the website! In fact I've been busy working on it some everyday.

I mentioned a while ago that I was creating a series of Photoshop Elements Tips Videos. Those are very close to being done, just a little more editing and then figuring out the distribution part.

I'm also working on a series of Essential Training for Beginners. I want to cover in-depth on important topics like Layers and Selections.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm busy working behind the scenes. In the mean time there is already lots of info on Elements already on the website.

In addition to the Tutorials and Tips pages, be sure to check into the Ask A Question area. While it is closed to new questions, comments are definitely welcome to any of the posts.

There is really a lot of beneficial information on using Elements within those posts. So please keep at it.

Take care,
Rick

GREAT DEAL ON PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:20:07 GMT

WOW! Amazon.com lowered the price of Photoshop Elements 9.

Amazon.com has lowered the price for Photoshop Elements 9 to $69.99. Add Adobe's $20.00 Rebate to that and you can pick up a brand new copy of Elements 9 for just $49.99.

Plus it qualifies for Amazon's Free Shipping.

It also helps to support this website, because Amazon gives me a small percentage of the cost if you go there from my site and buy something. It doesn't cost you any more, just click here and buy Elements.

It's a WIN-WIN-WIN. You get a great deal on Elements-Amazon makes a sale-and I get a small kickback!

If you've been waiting for good deal on the latest version of Photoshop Elements click here now.

But you better hurry. Amazon randomly changes their prices, but as of this writing you can get Half Off.

Take care,
Rick

HOW TO USE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS FRAMES

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:15:56 GMT

This video shows how to use any of the Hundreds of Frames that come with Photoshop Elements.

This video just shows how to put a standard frame around a photo.

There are more specialized frames that you can use to give your photo an old discolored look or even give it a scratched look.

Some of the frames are shapes such as hearts or even jigsaw puzzle pieces.

I recorded this video using Photoshop Elements 8 because a visitor to my Facebook page asked how to do it and she was using version 8.

But it also works with other versions including Version 9.

TOP ESSENTIAL PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TIPS

Thu, 12 May 2011 12:18:25 GMT

I haven't added any blogs for a while so I thought I would take some time to explain why.

I have been putting together a list of Video Tips for making your Photoshop Elements experience more efficient and enjoyable.

I want to make these worth your while to know and use so I am probably spending more time than I need to.

The way I plan to present it is to give the Tip and then show a short video clip of the Tip being used so you know exactly how to do it and can see the benefit of using it.

I'm also putting together a PDF of all the Tips so you can print them out for reference when using Elements.

That's what I've been up to. I will announce when it's available right here in the Blog so watch for it soon.

Take care,
Rick

MORE PS ELEMENTS BOOKS ADDED

Sun, 01 May 2011 15:15:13 GMT

I have added more of the latest books available for Photoshop Elements.

Check it out HERE.

Photoshop Elements 9 has great new features. See what they are.

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:27:05 GMT

Photoshop Elements 9 has borrowed some powerful features from the full version of Photoshop including Layer Masks and Content Aware.

BURNT EDGES EFFECT WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:19:00 GMT

Aahh…I love this photo of our boys Carl and Sam when they were little. It really captured the joy and silliness of the moment.

But let's get down to business.

Notice the subtle darkness around the edges? It gives a nice little effect to the photo and it's really easy to do.

This tutorial also has a link in it to another Burnt Edge effect that is much more heavy and dramatic. And it gives you control over how far to go.

Either way give it a try on your own photos. Here's the link.

PARTIAL COLOR TECHNIQUE IN 3 EASY STEPS

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:30:47 GMT

Photoshop Elements does a really good job at enhancing your photos. But easy special effects is another area where it shines.

Turning a photo into a black and white and then bringing back some color is a dramatic effect.

Elements has all the right tools to make effects like these fairly easy.

I broke it down into 3 easy steps. Check it out here: Partial Color.

FIX FOR BUG IN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:18:11 GMT

Are you having trouble with your Lasso Tool in Photoshop Elements 9? It's been discussed in the Adobe forums and a couple workarounds have been discovered. Here's the link: Adobe Forums

A FEW CHANGES

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:37:46 GMT

I'm making a few changes to the website.

You may have noticed I recently added a third column on the right side of most pages.

I have put a search box there so if you are looking for something specific you can try finding it with the search feature.

I have also added links to my social media sites.

You will find Photoshop Elements info posted by me at those sites. You can help spread the word about my website by...

Retweeting my Twitter posts.
Subscribing and/or commenting on my Youtube videos.
Liking my Facebook page.

Thank you in advance. :^)

I hope you find these changes helpful!

Until next time,
Rick

AUTHOR USES PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:53:35 GMT

I recently discovered a visitor to this site is an author.

K. Rowe is a talented Indie author who does everything in her books from start to finish.

Part of that process includes using Photoshop Elements.

You can check out her work by using the links below:

K. Rowe

SturgeonCreekPublishing

Take care,
Rick

Search Results

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:56:38 GMT

Search Results.

WHICH SELECTION TOOL TO USE

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:02:54 GMT

Photoshop Elements has 8 Selection Tools. When you look at the Toolbox you only see 4. The other 4 are nested in the same Toolbox space. You can access them by clicking on the tiny black arrow right next to them in the Toolbox.

They are:

Rectangular Marquee
Elliptical Marquee
Lasso
Polygonal Lasso
Magnetic Lasso
Magic Wand
Quick Selection
Selection Brush

It's nice to have choices but for beginners it can be hard to figure out which of the eight Selection Tools to use.

Dave was wondering exactly that and sent in a question about it. See his question and my response by clicking here.

FIX OVEREXPOSED HOT SPOTS

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:41:16 GMT

Use Photoshop Elements to fix blown out hotspots in your photos.

It's not uncommon to get blown out areas in your photos if your shooting outside on a sunny day.

Check out this video which shows a quick way to fill those areas in:

Fix Hot Spots With Photoshop Elements

SAVE SELECTIONS WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:56:38 GMT

You can save Selections with Photoshop Elements. Sometimes you want to isolate a certain area of your photograph because that's the only part you want to affect. Some Selections take a long time to create in Elements. If you ever want to go back into that photo and change that same area you don't want to have to make the same Selection all over again. Here's a link to a short video I put on Youtube that shows how easy it is: Save Selections With Photoshop Elements If you prefer a written version check it out HERE.

Easily Change Background Color From White With Photoshop Elements

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:06:03 GMT

Use Photoshop Elements to easily change background color from white to any color you want. This step-by-step tutorial is so easy even a complete beginner can do it.

Paste Into Selection Video

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:04:01 GMT

This Paste Into Selection Video gives you lots of options for replacing, enhanciing or otherwise creatively changing your photos.

WIN A PHOTOSHOP & PREMIERE ELEMENTS 9 BUNDLE

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:55:03 GMT

The official Adobe Photoshop Elements Facebook Fanpage hit 20,000 Fans this week. Wow!!!

To celebrate they are giving away three copies of the Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Premiere Elements 9 bundle.

Go to their Fanpage for all the details: ElementsFanPage

Good luck to you and congratulations to Adobe Elements!Until next time,
Rick

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS VIDEO-YOU KNOW HOW TO PASTE, BUT HOW ABOUT "PASTE INTO"

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:03:05 GMT

You know how the Paste command works in Photoshop Elements. But if you know how to use Paste Into Selection it gives you all kinds of new options when doing photo editing.

If your RSS doesn't let you see videos use the following link to watch it on Youtube.

PASTE INTO SELECTION

AN ESSENTIAL PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TIP

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:32:37 GMT

This is another nice little time-saver that I use all the time in Elements.

This tutorial was done back in the day when the Create a new layer icon was at the top of the Layers Panel instead of the bottom. Also back then the Layers Panel was called the Layers Palette.

But it still works exactly the same.

A NEW BRUSH TIP

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:50:06 GMT

I just discovered a new Brush Tip for Photoshop Elements! If you're using a Brush Tool, you can dynamically resize it. On a Mac hold down the Control and Option keys and click and drag your mouse left or right. On a Windows computer you hold down the Control-Alt-Right Mouse Button and drag. Dragging to the left makes it smaller and dragging to the right makes it larger. I am definitely going to be using this one.

DEAL OF THE DAY AT AMAZON!!!!

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:10:50 GMT

If you still haven't bought Photoshop Elements 9 you might want to check out this deal at Amazon.com. It's their GOLD BOX DEAL OF THE DAY. It's only good for today, Friday Jan. 28, 2011.

You can get a bundle of Photoshop AND Premiere Elements 9 for only $99.99. PLUS Adobe has a $30 mail-in rebate on the bundle so your final cost is only $69.99.

Now I don't know anything about using Premiere except that it's used for video editing. But this deal is like getting a great price on Photoshop Elements and a free video editing program to boot.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I do have an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com. That means if you use the links above to go to Amazon and you buy something, I earn a small commission. That is one way I help pay for the costs associated with running my website.

Have a great weekend!
Rick

Layer Mask Workaround

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:57:52 GMT

I'm using Elements 8. The example given for clearing Gaussian blur by using a mask with an adjustments layer can be short-cut simply by using the brush

HOW TO END A LAYERS SESSION IN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:02:27 GMT

The first thing I almost always do if I make a change to a photo in Elements is copy the Background Layer. Unless all my changes are done on Adjustment Layers.

But either way I have more Layers when I'm done editing. Dave sent me a question wondering how to end a Layers session.

Here's a link to his question and my reply:

How To End A Layers Session

Resolution Equality

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:56:09 GMT

Q: Is it necessary to have the same resolution for photos that one is attempting to combine. If, for example, I select one area of a photo and then wish

REMOVE GLARE WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:08:00 GMT

Here's a quick tip for Photoshop Elements - To remove a bright shiny glare from someones face, use the Clone Stamp Tool.

In the Options Bar, set the Mode to Darken and Opacity to 50%.

Now pick-up some color from a non-glare area of the face and brush over the hot spot.

That's all there is to it. If you found this helpful please click on the Like Button below.

Thanks,
Rick

USE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TO FAKE DEPTH OF FIELD

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:26:43 GMT

Here's a quick way you can give a nice effect to your photos using Photoshop Elements.

It simulates the look of Depth of Field which you can get from higher-end cameras.

GREAT BOOK - GREAT PRICE

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:54:33 GMT

Time to update my copy of Photoshop Elements 9: The Missing Manual by Barbara Brundage. I have the Elements 6 version and this has been my absolute most useful book for Photoshop Elements and now you can get it from Amazon for less than $25. Ohoh LESS than $25 dollars. That means it won't qualify for Amazon's Free Shipping on orders OVER $25! Well I guess I'll just have to get another book I've been wanting, which is The Photoshop Elements 9 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski. They're the Photoshop Guys and two of my earliest mentors. That book is also a great deal at 40% off. Of course the shipping is only $3.99 so you would still be getting a heck of a deal on Photoshop Elements 9: The Missing Manual I highly recommend either one of these books! Until next time,
Rick

MOVE YOUR CIRCLE SELECTION AS YOU MAKE IT

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:06:10 GMT

This is a really big Photoshop Elements time saver.

When you're selecting circles in your photos it can be painstaking because you have to guess when the circle is the right size.

Typically you would draw it and when it looked about the right size you would move it into place.

If it was the wrong size you would have to deselect and try again.

This technique shows you how to get it right the first time!

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TUTORIAL - SCRAMBLE PHOTOS

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:05:30 GMT

It seems like there's a lot of Blurring and Scrambling of peoples faces on TV these days.

There must be some new FCC rule in place that requires this. Not only people's faces but also t-shirts, signs and any other item that that has something written or displayed on it.

I see two different techniques used for concealing the identity of people or items. Both are achievable with Photoshop Elements.

The most common technique is a simple Blur. You can easily do this in Elements by making a selection around the area you want to blur and then choosing Blur > Gaussian Blur… from the Filter menu.

Move the slider over to the right until you have the amount of blur you want, click OK and you're done.

If you want a gradual transition between the blurred and non-blurred areas add a Feather to your selection. Go up to the Select menu and choose Feather and usually a 1 to 3 pixel amount works well.

The other technique commonly used is to "Pixelate" the part of the image you want to conceal.

Here is a link to a step-by-step tutorial for that technique: Pixelate

Either way Elements will keep you compliant with the rules or just hide someone or something you don't want to clearly see in your photos.

OOPS! THAT WAS CONFUSING

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:49:52 GMT

Yesterday I posted an article here about how to use Layer Masks.

Some of you hopefully noticed I stuck my latest Youtube video in the post, which had nothing to do with Layer Masks. I really need to stop posting at 3a.m. :-)

I got that fixed and now I would like to properly present to you the new video.

The video shows a very handy technique you can use in Elements called Paste Into Selection.

I do have a written tutorial on the technique the you can see here: Paste Into Selection

So if you missed it yesterday, here is the video:

LAYER MASKS PRE-PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:43:30 GMT

Photoshop Elements 9 introduced Layer Masks for any Layer in the Layer Panel.

This was a big thing and made Elements even more like the Full version of Photoshop.

But if you have a version of Elements earlier than version 9 there is a work-around you should know for getting a Layer Mask with your Layers.

Here's a link to a written tutorial on how to do it.

And if you have Elements 9 make sure you understand Layer Masks and how to use them because they will give you a lot more options when working in Elements.

Here's a video of how to use Layer Masks in version 9:

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TUTORIAL - FAKE DEPTH OF FIELD

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:19:12 GMT

Here's a video I made that fakes the look of Depth of Field. I made it in response to a question I received asking how to do it.

I created the video using Photoshop Elements 8. That was before Elements 9 came out with Layer Masks.

So this technique includes How to Fake a Layer Mask. For all the faking going on it's a pretty believable effect :-)

If you are using Elements 9, just click on the Add a Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel and paint away the effect on there.

Here's the link: Simulate Depth of Field

Hope you like it! - Rick

SNOW DAYS

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:00:34 GMT

Wow, we got blasted with an early winter storm in the Twin Cities this weekend. We got from 1.5 to 2 feet of snow with lots of blowing and drifting.

The public transportation closed, the Twin Cities International airport closed, The University of Minnesota closed. Public schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul are all closed today.

The Dome where the Mn Vikings play football collapsed and then apparently ripped because snow came pouring through the roof. Sunday's game with the Giants was postponed until tonight and I think they're playing in Detroit!

So I spent a lot of the weekend shoveling (my poor back). But here's a great post from the past in case you missed it:

http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/delete-images-with-photoshop-elements.html

Take care,
Rick

NEW PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9 EFFECT

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:41:38 GMT

Here's another new quick and easy effect you can do in the latest version of Elements.

It's called Pop Art.

GREAT IDEAS AND COUPON CODES FROM SNAPFISH

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:28:25 GMT

Snapfish is a great place to get your prints done.

They have that prime combination of good quality and low prices.

My wife Linda and I use them all the time for our personal prints and have been nothing but happy with their service.

Since I am also an affiliate of theirs they sent me their latest links and coupon codes to share with my website visitors.

There are some good deals on everything from Photobooks to Personal Planning Calendars.

There's also some nice freebies if you order 2 sets of Holiday Photo Cards.

But hurry, the holidays are upon us!

Here are the links and codes for the deals:

Shop our Gifts under $10 Page Exp: 12/31/10 Bogo Books plus 2 extra pages free Coupon Code: BKBOGODL Exp: 12/15/10 30% Off Planning Calendars Coupon Code: 30NEWCAL10 EXP: 12/20/10 Buy 2 Sets of Holiday Photo Cards (Set of 20) and get a free Desk Calendar & 5x7 Everyday Photo book. Coupon Code 2SHPCDC60 EXP: 12/17/10 Good things come in small packages! 2 Free 2x3 Photobook with $10 Spend Coupon Code 2X3PB11 EXP: 01/15/11