Conquer Photoshop – Master the Elements
by David Peters
Editing your digital photographs has never been as intriguing and captivating as Photoshop makes it. However, the numerous complicated procedures and endless array of features that this software boasts of, makes working a beginner's way through it a considerable challenge. The more explicit of features are often shrouded under the hoard of categories and puzzling options that dot the interface, which may dishearten the most enthusiastic of amateurs until he figures his way around the software. And if you happen to fall under this genre of fumbling novices, take heart. It is this daunting learning curve that Adobe simplifies with the toned down version of Photoshop, which is called Photoshop Elements.
As the name suggests, Photoshop Elements allows you, the user, several of the most enticing features that Photoshop has to offer, without being bogged down by an overload of functions and techniques. And yet, it is still proficient and flexible enough to allow you your creative freedom, without making the process frustratingly simple. This software is a very popular choice with amateur photographers and digital imaging enthusiasts who are working their way up to the more complicated editing tools. The software has been designed bearing in mind the core elements of Adobe Photoshop and leaves out the editing tools only professionals have use for. It includes an efficient photo-editor, an integrated photo-organizer and a number of templates and themes you can use to correct and enhance your digital images.
Photoshop Elements allows you to achieve some of the most spectacular effects that you would like to experiment with, when using Photoshop. Only, it scales down the often elaborate procedures which Photoshop entails to one simple function. As a result, you can wipe away those disastrous red eyes, crop your images and even moderate the light and color adjustments in a few swift moves. This is where the automated 'Red Eye Removal' feature, the 'Quick Fix' functions and the 'Auto Contrast' and 'Auto Crop' options take over tedious task of fine tuning your images and making the necessary changes, while also allowing you to view the progress with before and after images.
The Organizer and Editor are delineated into activity-based tabs, so that you don't have to wander through the entire software to find what you need. You can simply go into the 'Organize', 'Fix', 'Create' and 'Share Photos' categories, and then choose your preferred tool from the selection each category offers. The 'Selection' process is also a lot easier where all you have to do is paint over the object and the selection tool will find the edges by itself. You can even fine-tune the selection you've made by using the 'Refine Edge' dialog, which lets you smooth, contract or expand the selection edge.
You can also convert your colored images to vintage black and white souvenirs, choose from the array of styles that Elements offers and even adjust the intensity as per the effect you want to achieve. The 'Organize' section has an incredibly useful feature called 'Smart Albums' which let you pick out the images you've edited on a particular date or even the one's you've captured with a specific camera. Elements also makes it a lot easier to navigate through the software with the more prominent and larger icons it offers, while the astounding number of add-ons and tutorials you can find off the internet, make it an comprehensive and resourceful software to work with.
And once you're satisfied with the magnum opus you've created, you will obviously want to showcase it in a way that's just as spectacular. And to do this, Elements lets you pack your images into slides hows, display them in web-galleries and even print them out on contact sheets. You can also click and drop a frame of your choice, or even a background, from the eclectic assortment that Elements has in store.
Photoshop Elements gives you a very helpful start when you first venture into the world of digital image editing. However, Photoshop has its own brand of loyalists who will insist that you cannot afford to opt for anything less than the all-inclusive version. And if you in a quandary about which side the grass is greener on, simply visit the Photoshop website and download trial versions of both varieties. Although time-bound, they do allow you a complete insight into the software and what it is capable of, giving you a comprehensive picture to base your selection on. So once you know the limits which you can scale with digital editing, why wait any longer? Download your trial versions, or take the plunge and invest in the software today and watch your images look more stunning than you could have ever pictured them as.
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