gblack67 Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

I am a newbe and I want to start using PS Elements. I don't know anything about elements and am not too computer savy. How is the besy way to learn? Any help you can give me will be appreciated.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

There are many how to programs you can purchase, just google PS Elements and you get more than you can use. Another option and in my opinion a good one is do a search on You Tube there are many good videos available and of course if you search UHH you'll find a lot of helpful threads o the subject.

gblack67 Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

Thank you! I will check it out.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

You could also check out the tutorials on this forum. Lots of skilled people in the PP section for when you get stuck.


Click here to come in and look around
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Ziza Loc: USA

First, download a free trial of Photoshop Elements 12. You will have 30 days to see what this program is all about.

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=us

Then, you could use these tutorials to help you get acquainted with this program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giIU82smKMg (These instructions apply also to Elements 12.)
http://tv.adobe.com/show/photoshop-elements-12-feature-tour/

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

If you do not yet have the program on your computer, you can download version 12 from the Adobe website and play with it for 30 days.
Or if you already have the program on your computer, I suggest you "play" with it as well. Open up a photo, any photo, and go snooping in the menu items. (the suggestion of opening a photo is because many menu items will be grayed out if there is no open photo).
Do the same for the tools, select one, look at the area below your photo to see what the options are, change them and see what happens if you apply that tool to your photo.
It will give you a feel of what you may possibly do with the program, and it won't be so bewildering if you try and follow any instruction.
You'll find some right her on UHH (see Searcher's message), you'll find more than you'll know what to do with on YouTube, Adobe has lots of instruction on it's website as well.
Above all: Have fun with the program, laugh at the mistakes you will undoubtedly make, and be mighty proud of the things you do right.
Then post here (in the Post Processing Section) with questions about the mistakes so we can laugh with you (NEVER at you), and with questions/statements/show-offs about what went right so we can be proud with you!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If you prefer books to videos, there are some available for purchase, but check your library too. I'm awaiting some for PSE 7 (the latest version my library has).

From amazon, the dummies book:
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Elements-All-One-Dummies/dp/1118743970

A friend purchased a 2006 book all-encompassing on digital photography. It has a couple of chapters using PSE 4, and though there are some differences from PSE 12, I have already gotten a huge amount of info from it. I love the glossy, full color pages, with the steps all clearly shown. She may never get her book back :)

It is titled "Digital Photography, a complete visual guide" by Michael Wright. (Metro books, NY) If you live near large bookstores, maybe there's one lying around. She paid $13.

gblack67 Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

Thank You!

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

All of the above, and here are a couple more. The first link is to a PSE User's group where you can browse/search the forums for various info. Registration is free. The second site has a number of video tutorials which may be of benefit. Learning PSE is a bit of work, and I have found the PSE Help function totally worthless. I have never found a useful response to anything I have searched for in PSE Help.

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/

http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

There are many 'helps' on the web including youtube. My favorite 'instructor' is on this site:
http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/
Rick had a very good voice and takes it slow and explains each step. On the left you can select VIDEOS. They can be very helpful for specific items you need help with. Good Luck.

gblack67 Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

Thanks so much to all of you for your help. I will certainly check on all of info you have given me!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Another good thing to do, would be to join the Elements Village forum ( a whole forum delegated just to Elements and everything that comes with it)! They are pretty much the friendliest bunch of people you will ever find on a forum!

MtnMan Loc: ID

Get the Kelby and Kloskowski book.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Another popular book is Photoshop Elements 12 (or whatever version you have) The Missing Manual. This is the book that I have. It is very readable.