Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual [Paperback]

Barbara Brundage (Author)

Book Description

Series: Missing Manual | Publication Date: November 7, 2005

The popularity of digital cameras continues to grow exponentially. They are now more powerful, feature rich, and affordable--turning digital photography into a mainstream interest. And with Photoshop Elements, Adobe has created the most popular photo-editing program on the planet. Learning how to work Photoshop Elements and manage digital photos can be a challenge for anyone just getting started--from the hobbyist to the pro photographer. With the latest Photoshop Elements 4 update, Adobe delivers a powerful new program that provides photo editing and organizing functionality with improved performance. The updated version also includes new, more intuitive features that are streamlined and easier to use--when the photographer has the right learning tool in hand.

With Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual, author Barbara Brundage has written the perfect digital photography guide. In a clear, easy-to-read format, the author provides step-by-step instruction so readers can learn what they need to do to edit their photos successfully and manage their collection. This new edition also includes more than a dozen downloadable images so readers can practice using the editing tools. Readers will master useful editing techniques--from the most common to the advanced:

• Automatically correct red eye and skin tones
• Select and extract complex objects with the Magic Selection Brush and The Magic Extractor
  
• Create photomontages
• Restore old photographs
• Post photos on the web
• Manage and archive an entire collection
• Design a custom slide show with panning and zooming capabilities

Once photographers learn how to edit their photos successfully, they'll also learn how to post them online or upload them to the Kodak EasyShare Gallery for use in creating personal mailing lists, post cards, calendars, and much more. Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual, is for any photographer interested in learning the right editing techniques for producing and sharing beautiful digital photography.

Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual covers the Windows version of the software only. When we published the book, there was no Mac version of the software (as there is now), and for various reasons, we've been unable to update this edition to include the Mac version. Nonetheless, if you're on a Mac, you can use this book. Just substitute Command for Ctrl, and Option for Alt whenever you see keystroke shortcuts, and about 98 percent of the Editor functions will work the same. The sections on the Organizer only apply to Windows because the Mac version has no Organizer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Web design without Photoshop isn't the 'done thing', and this books clearly outlines why the Photoshop family is so powerful. If you're looking for that special technique to spruce up your images this is the place to look." .NET, January 2006

About the Author

Barbara Brundage the author of Photoshop Elements 3: the Missing Manual, and a member of Adobe's pre-release groups for Elements 3 and 4. She's been teaching people how to use Photoshop Elements since it first came out in 2001. Barbara first got interested in Elements for creating graphics for use in her day job as a harpist, music publisher, and arranger. Along the way she joined the large group of people who are finding a renewed interest in photography thanks to digital cameras.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Pogue Press; 1 edition (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596101589
• ISBN-13: 978-0596101589
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Color

More About the Author

Barbara Brundage is an Adobe Community Professional and a member of Adobe's prerelease groups for Photoshop Elements versions 3 through 10. She's been teaching people how to use Elements since it first came out in 2001. Barbara first started using Elements to create graphics for use in her day job as a harpist, music publisher, and arranger. Along the way, she joined the large group of people finding a renewed interest in photography thanks to digital cameras. If she can learn to use Elements, you can, too! Visit her blog at http://barbarabrundage.com for tips on using Photoshop Elements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

167 of 175 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!, October 17, 2006

By 

John R. Vacca "Tech Write Independent Reviewer" (Pomeroy, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

Do you need to edit and organize your photos? If you do, then this book is for you. Author Barbara Brundage, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that is intended to make learning Elements easier by avoiding technical jargon as much as possible, and explaining why and when you'll want to use certain features in the program.

Brundage, begins by showing you how to navigate Elements' slightly confusing layout and mishmash of programs within programs. Then, the author covers how to get photos into Elements, the basics of organizing them, and how to open files and create new images from scratch; as well as, how to save and back up your images. Next, She explains how to rotate and crop your photos, and includes a primer on that most important digital imaging concept--resolution. The author then shows you how to use the Quick Fix window to dramatically improve your photos. She continues by covering two key concepts that you'll use throughout the book. Then, the author shows you how to make basic corrections, such as exposure, color adjustments, sharpening , and removing dust and scratches. Next, she covers topics unique to people who use digital cameras, like RAW conversion and batch processing your photos. The author then moves on to some more sophisticated fixes, like changing the light, using the clone stamp to make repairs, making your photos more lively with hue/saturation and changing the colors in an image. She continues by covering how to convert your photos to black and white, and tinting and recoloring black and white photos. Then, she shows you how to use the Elements' Photomerge feature to create multiphoto panoramas and to make perspective corrections to your images. Next, the author covers how to paint your photos and draw shapes, use filters and effects to create a more artistic look and add type to your images. Then she shows you how to get the most out of your printer, how to create images for the Web and email, how to make slideshows and Web Galleries with your photos, and all the fun projects you can create with Elements 5. Finally, she looks at information about using a .graphics tablet in Elements and some resources for after you've finished this book.

You'll also find tutorials throughout this most excellent book that refer to files you can download from the missing manual web site, so you can practice the techniques you're reading about. More importantly, this book assumes you know how to perform basic activities on your computer, like clicking and double-clicking your mouse and dragging objects onscreen.

156 of 164 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Elements feature walkthroughs, December 8, 2005

By 

Jack D. Herrington "engineer and author" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

There are two things you want in a Photoshop book, a walkthrough of the features, and insight into how to use those features to solve real photo problems. This book does a great job covering the features of the product. The explanations of often difficult Photoshop topics are easy to follow. And the example images are great. The practical advice is good, but it's not the primary focus of the book.

I certainly appreciate the brevity of the book. And I really like the full color and the production value. Definitely worth the money.

108 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Photoshop Elements 4 Guide, February 3, 2006

By 

Daniel McKinnon "Dan" (Tewksbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual (Paperback)

Another outstanding book in the "Missing Manual" line. Barbara Brundage makes Photoshop Elements 4 not only easy to use, but also a whole lot of fun!! Adobe has many applications that are downright intimidating to many users out there, and it's very refreshing that "Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual" was created. From covering the basics of how to get around the Elements application, the author starts of with the basics of getting your images onto your computer, and the most simple of effects like rotation and cropping. From there, she discusses the all-important topic of layers and basic image retouching so you can take your digital images and make them go from good to GREAT!!! Continuing on with a look at filters and how to get your images printed so they look beautiful and/or posting them to the web or emailing them, this guide is perfect for all new Photoshop Elements users who want to get their feet web on the way to becoming an Elements super user.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. While it's a little bit more expensive than other books in the "Missing Manual" line, the price should NOT be a factor in your decision making. If you are looking for a book that will assist in your knowledge of learning how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 you have come to the right place. If you want to learn more about what is included in the newest release of this outstanding application, look no further. If just want to read an entertaining book and expand your knowledge of how to work with digital imagery so you can make your images look better than ever, again you will NOT be disappointed.

This is the way all books should be written: clearly, simply, and enjoyable.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED