Welcome to our first tutorials on the subject of Photoshop Elements!
Photoshop Elements is a consumer level image editing programme.
Modelled around its bigger brother, Adobe Photoshop, Elements provides everything the home enthusiast could ever want! As well as being affordable, it’s pleasingly powerful and user friendly, which is reflected in its quick fix workspace built specifically for people either in a hurry, or new to the software, and it’s full blown editing environment for anybody wanting to take full advantage of some of the most powerful features in the image editing world.
In this free 10 part video series, we’ll look at the things you need to know to get off the ground. Starting with the organiser, I’ll show you how to create and maintain an efficiently structured image catalogue. A place you can visit and know the photograph you’re looking for is seconds away from being found.
Once you have a collection of carefully organised images, it’s time to make them look good using some of Elements most basic features. Step forward the Quick Fix and Guided Edit modes. Within a couple of minutes, and the same number of adjustments, these modes allow you to quickly fix some of the most common colour, tonal and contrast problems associated with modern day digital photographs. To say it all happens in a flash would be accurate, as well as a cheap pun of course!
With Element’s quick-fire solutions firmly stuffed into our image editing repitoire, we’ll move out of the shadows and into the full glare of Adobe’s spotlight. The full edit mode is a versatile, attractive and powerful workspace that sets the benchmark for consumer level image editing. I’ll start by introducing you to a few key concepts, before starting a project that sees us creating a poster for London Zoo.
As we progress, you’ll see how to adjust shadows and highlights, correct colours, and apply modifications to specific regions of an image whilst leaving the rest untouched. We’ll look at some basic selection techniques, as well as extracting a gorilla from his background and placing him into another photograph. From there we’ll adjust his size and blend him into his new background before removing blemishes and cropping unwanted background elements from the image.
To create the final poster we’ll add some text and effects to the composition and apply a pass of sharpening to bring out the hidden details locked away inside the image. The series closes with a look at how we can get the final version of the poster to a wider audience by preparing it for email and print.
All in all, this series comprises of over two hours of high-quality, in-depth videos that serve as a starting point to mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements.
To view a list of what’s covered in this series please click here.
Good luck
Comments
Hi Sir,
I want to learn the complete Photoshop. will dis exercise helps me?
Photoshop Elements Videos
Hello,
Yes, this course is a good start-to-finish look at the whole of Elements and will help you understand how the software works.
If you like it, we have more detailed premium course based on a Photoshop Elements 9. For more information click the link above.
Regards
Matt
Photoshop elements 8
Hi there, I just discovered you tutorials off youtube and It seems to be the one i am viewing is for elements 6, do you have a tutorial for elements 8 or can the two be used together?
Thank you,
Kimberly
gibbs3246@aol.com
Elements 8
Hello there,
Photoshop Elements 6 and 8 are very similar so you should be able to learn from videos recorded in either. There will some slight differences in look and feel, but nothing too taxing. You're welcome to post back here or ask questions in our forum if you get stuck.
We do have a good selection of videos for Elements 8 also, they can be found in our 'All Tutorials' section from the top menu bar.
Hope that helps
Matt
safe additions to your photo (safe in jpeg)
If you add fun stuff to your photo, example party hats frames, how do you safe it to be part of your photo as one in jpeg. the reason for the question is to be able to take the edit photo (album) to a photo shop for printing as they can only print if it is safed as jpeg.
JPEG's are flat
Hi there,
I'd recommend saving three versions in this circumstance. Firstly, save the untouched JPEG so that you always have a backup of the image. Secondly, once you've completed your edits save the image as a PSD, so you can go back to the layers and amend them anytime you want. Finally, flatten the image, and save out as a JPEG. The important part there is to flatten before trying to save, because the JPEG format doesn't support layers.
Hope that helps
Matt
photoshopelements 8- windows-photoblending
Hi Mr. Matt,
I've been trying to photo blend for the last four weeks. I follow the steps like :
1. put two pics one on top of the other
2. add an adjustment layer
3. let this adjustment layer slide between layer one and background.
4 Click the clipping mask or do the Control G
5. select a brush tool
6. click on white area of level adjustment layer mask and with black foreground, color paint away the excess
Sir, I don't know why nothing is happening to my pics. HELP, please.... eugenia
Layer Blending
Hi Eugenia,
It could be because the top layer is blocking the adjustments you're making to layers further down the stack.
If you have clipped the adjustment layer to the bottom layer, then no matter what you do, you will always see the top layer because it's 100% opaque. Have you got the top layer set to a particular blend mode? What effect are you trying to achieve?
Regards
Matt
blending 2 photos with gradient tool
HI Mr. Matt,
I can't do the blending with the gradient tool. I dragged one photo about an inch overlapping the other photo. Then I added the layer mask. Then the control D. I chose the right gradient square and the linear one and then dragged the gradient line an inch across the overlapped photos and nothing happened.The two photos would not merge. Please help. Eugenia
Active Mask
Hi Eugenia,
You need to make sure the mask is active in the layers panel as opposed to the layer itself. Just click on it until you see a border around it.
Hope that helps
Matt
photo blending using layer masks
I'm sorry it took me this long to make a reply. I'm so glad you gave me some help and yet nothing is happening. In what blend mode should I be? the effect I want is to blend to photos seamlessly but although in the layer's panel the black and while effect would show but the blending does not show on my photo. I'm 78 yrs old but Photoshop keeps me going mentally and I just love it. I truly need your patience and help me with this. I have Photoshop Elements 8. Thanking you in advance.... Eugenia
Panorama
Hi Eugenia,
No problems with the reply.
I see what you mean now, I think I was misunderstanding what you were doing.
78 years young huh? Glad to hear your enjoying Elements, a lesson to us all.
I have added the links to a couple of my video tutorials below, have a look at them as I am fairly certain they will help you. Let me know if I'm on track this time.
http://www.3photoshop.com/content/photoshop-video-tutorial-photomerge-pa...
http://www.3photoshop.com/panorama-video-tutorial-photoshop
Regards
Matt
resizing an image
hi matt just joined your site it is most helpful but my problem is (an i havent found an awnser yet )is i have a picture an i want to enlarge just a part of it i was shown once but forgot how not in to changing my photos so much yet mabie latter if you could help me in this one spot i would be most greatfull haven't got your dvd yet had to take care of some other business first but looking foward to getting it thanks for all the help
Layers & Transform are the Key
Hi Michael,
Welcome to 3photoshop.com!
There are a few ways to enlarge a certain part of a photo - the easiest way would probably be to use layers and the transform commands.
Use a selection tool (marquee tools work a treat for this) to select the area you want to enlarge. Once you have it selected press CTRL J (CMD J on the Mac) to add the selected area to a new layer. Now with the new layer selected press CTRL T (CMD T on the Mac) and use the corner-handles to increase the size of the layer. Now go ahead and add a stroke around the new layer by using a layer style.
Is this what you meant, or did I get the wrong end of the stick?
Regards
Matt
enlarging a photo
i'm sorry to keep bothering you with this mabie this will help i have a pic that i shot with my camera of some birds taking a bird bath (ha ha )when i shot the pix with my 55 to 250 mm zoom lens i can see it but i want to enlarge that section of them. the way someone showed me was an this might not be quite right was they croped that section (an heres where it get fuzzy )made the canvis size larger then posted the crop section on the larger canvis does this sound close to right i really am greatfull for all the help on this
The Crop Tool
Hi Michael,
Usually when cropping there's no need to copy to another document, you can do all the work inside the image you're working with. If you have to copy to another document, make sure the image size (size in pixles) is the same or similar to what you want. If the image is gettng fuzzy when you crop make sure you're cropping to the size you actually want.
Let me know if that helps or if you need anymore info. It may be easier if you send some screenshots to my email address.
Matt
Beginners guide - Photoshop Elements
Hi Matt
I have just bought Photoshop Elememts 8, and find your beginners tutorials very useful. I am still a bit confused about which format I should use for editing. Do you recommend to use photos in Jpeg or raw format?
Further more I'm just wondering if there is a beginners guide especially for Elements 8?
Many thanks for your help :)
Best wishes from Denmark
Ditte
RAW vs JPEG
Hi Ditte,
Welcome to the site!
RAW or JPEG will depend upon your workflow.
JPEG is best if you want to shoot an image and do as little manual work as possible. The camera will add its own brightness/contrast adjustments, saturations boosts and sharpening. The image will also be smaller due to lossy JPEG compression.
RAW is best (usual for serious photographers) if you'd prefer to take a good shot, and then add the aforementioned adjustments manually inside of Photoshop Elements using the Camera Raw plugin. All images will need some sort of post processing by the photographer which means it's more laborious but ultimately more rewarding.
Most point-and-shoot cameras only shoot to JPEG, while the RAW format is reserved for DSLR and the like.
As far as Elements 8 go, I have the following free tutorials on the site-
http://www.3photoshop.com/category/photoshop-elements-8
I also have a full 11 hour series coming out shortly for Photoshop Elements 9, most of which will be completely relevant for Elements 8, you can find out more details here-
http://www.3photoshop.com/content/beginner-s-guide-photoshop-elements-9-...
Hope that helps?
Matt
Beginner Video Tutorial for PSE 7
Hi Matt,
I bought the above but cannot find the basic guidelines to learn the package, do you have the same (as advised to Ditte) for PSE 7 please?
Regards
De Wet
Photoshop Elements 7
Hello there,
I'm afraid there are no videos available for Photoshop Elements 7, although the Elements 6 course above should be highly relevant.
If you need any specific help regarding a purchase please contact me using the following contact form-
http://www.3photoshop.com/contact
Many regards
Matt
Thank you
Thank you so much for your prompt reply :)
The tutorials are so easy to understand even for a Dane like me.
Just wondering if you have any tutorials about working with RAW format?
Think I will be using these, since I have the option - just have to find out how exactly to do this. It seems very easy when using JPEG format, but a bit more complicated using RAW.
Again thank you so much for your help - I really appreciate this.
Ditte
Thumbs up to RAW
Hi Ditte,
No problem, glad I could help.
Unfortunately I do not have any specific tutorials relating to RAW at this time. I'll let you know if I create any in the future. RAW is a great option though, I'm sure you've made the right choice if your serious about capturing images.
Many regards
Matt
Elements 9
Hi
Does elements 9 enable instant upload to a website without manual resizing please.
Thanks
Steve K
Uploading Photos with Elements 9
Hi Steve,
Yes but only to certain sites such as Facebook and Flickr.
Hope that helps
Matt
Im a complete Novice at Photoshop
Hi
I have just had a EOS1000D Cannon bought for me as my first digital camera.
I would love to now start editing and printing my own pictures but alas I dont know how.
So plse can u help me on this matter as I have not got a clue. Plus I also would appreciste some help and info on using my camera to the full.
I do hope that you can help me on this
Stevie G
Photoshop Elements
Hi Stevie,
Have you watched my 'Beginner's Guide to Photoshop Elements' yet? It's a really good place to start. As far as your camera goes, I'm not planning to make any tutorials on hardware in the near future, sorry. Give the course a go and let me know what you think?
Regards
Matt
pse6 -- pse 8
Hi Matt
I refer to the series of videos available for purchase " A beginners guide to Photoshop Elements"
Does this series of videos apply to PSE6 only or will they also work for PSE8
Thanks and Regards
Vic
ps Love the series - great work and easy to understand
Elements 6, 8, 9?
Hi Vic,
Thanks, I'm glad you like it and I'm pleased to hear you've found it helpful too.
The series for purchase is exactly the same as the free one above, the only difference is that the videos are larger and higher in quality. It was recorded in Elements 6 but are still applicable (in the most part) to Elements 8. I'm actually planning to rerecord this series for the next version of Elements (number 9 I believe) and add about an hour of content to the mix. I haven't heard when Elements 9 will be available but I'll probably start as soon as it's released.
Hope that helps
Matt
I see an incredible progress
I see an incredible progress in your posting, I'd love to get in touch. Keep up the perfect work! Your text is rather motivational for a person who is new to this kind of stuff.
cool fantastic website yea
cool fantastic website yea nice work our website will soon be adding reviews on blogs and add them to our blogs as the top best 1000 websites to visit we also do reviews on product recalls all types of reviews
beginners guide Photoshop Elements
Hi Matt, at last I am able to use PSE6 for Mac to it's full.Thanks for a great experience.Have you had a chance to use PSE8 yet? and could you advise me whether it is any use me upgrading for my Imac intel on snow leopard.I have Lightroom 2+ and full suite of Nik software for Lightroom/Aperture.Keep up the good work.Thanks.
Upgrading Elements 6?
Hi there,
Thanks, I'm glad you found the course helpful.
Personally I would hold off upgrading from Photoshop Elements 6 to 8, there's bound to be another version flying out later in the year and the differences between the two aren't ground breaking. I also have Lightroom 2 (came free with my Sony Vaio) and love it, I use it to store and catelogue my entire photo collection.
Regards
Matt
Thank u
One thing i wanna say is thank u so much for finding time to make this videos..u have helped me so much...no other better place to learn photoshop than here..
Great Tutorial
Awesome videos! You explain PSE in a manner that makes it easy to understand and follow along.
Thanks!
Dennis
Texas
Thank YOU, Matt!!
Dear Matt,
I have wanted to learn Photoshop for years. I have purchased the software several times over the years, but would eventually DUMP IT, because as much as I tried to figure it out.............. I NEVER WAS ABLE TO.
It brought me so much frustration, but yet, the desire to do this, stayed.
I had thought about taking a class at our Community College, but really didn't have the time. I have seen many times the commercial to order V!d30 Professor, but, he is sooooo creepy that I kept putting him off. To make a very long story short.... I FOUND YOU!!!!
I am so happy that you have provided this for us (for me)!! I am just beginning, but I promise you I will be back many, many times.
YOU HAVE REALIZED MY DREAM TO CONQUER PHOTOSHOP. (I am not anywhere near that, but I now have HOPE where there was none.)
Thank you so very, very, very much!
Gaylyn
USA
PS......... I love your accent!!!! again, thank you!
I tried to find you on FACEBOOK, but couldn't. Are you there... I definately want to be your FRIEND! I really am appreciative about finding YOU.
3photoshop on Facebook
Hi Gaylyn,
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate you saying and I'm glad the videos were able to help you in your quest to learn Photoshop Elements. I really enjoyed making these videos and hope to update them one day to a more recent version of Elements (currently at 8 if I'm not mistaken).
In the meantime we have a Facebook page here and I'd be more than happy if you became a fan. I'm also a fan (and admin) of it so you should be able to find my personal account from there - I'm always happy to accept friend requests from fellow Photoshopers.
All the best
Matt
photoshop elements 6
I have been using photoshop elements 6 for over a year now, and i can safely say that i've learnt more in the last 2 hours than i did any time before :0). do you have any plans for more elements videos maybe an advanced course?
Mark
Advanced Elements?
Hi Mark,
Thanks, glad to hear you're finding the videos helpful.
The Elements series has definitely proved to be popular, so there's definitely some potential there to make more, either a beginner's guide for another version, or maybe a 'taking control' or 'advanced' type course. It's certainly something that interests me, and there's plently of material to make it work. I may revisit later in the year.
Matt