Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies [Paperback]

Deke McClelland (Author), Galen Fott (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Computers) | Publication Date: August 20, 2002

As far as sequels go, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 belongs in the ranks of The Godfather: Part II – a sequel that improves on the original. What made the first release of Elements so impressive wasn't that it was especially easy to use; it was how much of Photoshop's power you could get for such a low price. Elements 2.0, however, takes big steps forward in both power and ease.

Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies explains this program from the ground up, assuming that you know absolutely nothing about the program or even about image editing in general. But step by step, concept by concept, tool by tool, you'll gradually work through a thorough examination of Photoshop Elements 2.0 and the incredible things it can do for your images.

While this book is organized in logical order, with the lofty idea that you'll read it cover to cover, the best thing about Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is that you don't have to. Feel free to skip around if you get restless. You'll gain insight into

• Getting to know the Photoshop tools and palettes
• Editing your images
• Saving your files in proper format
• Making a bad image better
• Painting and distorting your images

Just as one CD contains both the Windows and Mac versions of Elements, so this one book tells both Windows and Mac users everything they need to know to use Elements on their system of choice. And because Elements 2.0 runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS X, we've also updated the figures in this book to show off the spiffy look of these two new operating systems.

As an Elements user, you've got a whole lot of Photoshop power coiled up inside your computer, waiting for you to discover how to harness it. Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is your guide for doing just that.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…well laid out and extremely easy to follow…” (Amateur Photographer, 29^th October 2005)

From the Back Cover

Covers DV imports, slide shows, and other cool new features

Now revised and expanded - your fun and easy guide to creating dazzling images

Photoshop Elements has lots of easy-to-use painting tools. But what are you supposed to do with all that other stuff - options such as "Dissolve," "Multiply," and "Difference"? Relax! With help from Photoshop gurus Deke McClelland and Galen Fott, you'll be working with layers, sharpening images, boosting color intensity, using filters, and more - in no time!

The Dummies Way
* Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational aids
* Tear-out cheat sheet
* Top ten lists
* A dash of humor and fun

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764516752
• ISBN-13: 978-0764516757
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deke McClelland is a popular lecturer on Adobe Photoshop and the larger realm of computer graphics and design. He has hosted the interactive "Video Workshop" CD that shipped with Photoshop Versions 7, CS, and CS2, as well as hundreds of hours of tutorial-style video training for industry leaders lynda.com and Total Training. In addition to his video work, Deke has written 84 books translated into 24 languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. One of the most award-winning writers in the technology market, Deke received the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Computer Book in 1989. Since then, he has garnered more than 20 honors, including seven independent citations from the Computer Press Association. In 2002, he was inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Russ Walkowich MyMac.com Book Review, February 11, 2003

By 

Tim E Robertson "Publisher MyMac" (Battle Creek, Mi United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies (Paperback)

Let's be honest... sitting down and reading any how-to book on any software application program can at times be dry, to say the least. Thankfully Deke McClelland and Galen Fott have taken PSE 2 and approached it with a sense of humor that makes reading their Dummies book quite enjoyable.

The authors have taken PSE 2 and broken the learning route into five different parts. Part 1: Element-ary School; Part II: Be Prepared; Part III: Realer Than Life; Part IV: The Inspiration/Perspiration Equation and Part V: The Part of Tens. The book starts by explaining the basic setup of PSE 2 and then continues on to explain the painting and image editing tools that make up PSE 2. As you continue through the book, you are taken through the steps of starting up PSE 2 and familiarization with the layout and dealing with dialog boxes, palettes and tools. Then the fun starts as they begin to get you involved with cropping, rotating, understanding color theory, color management and grayscale.

Both authors continue to walk the reader through all the aspects of PSE 2, dealing with each tool, layers, color replacement and variations, retouching images, and the use of painting tools. You are also taken to the land of TYPE and the use of the tools, editing and layers. Once you've worked your way through all of the basic aspects of PSE 2, you are brought to the point of learning the automated features that are contained in the program. The Effects palette, batch processing, attaching a file to email, creating a PDF slideshow, picture packages and Photomerge are some of the topics covered. They end the book by covering 10 important PSE 2 shortcuts for use by the reader.

The authors have even included a full color section so that the readers can see what you can achieve in PSE 2. Overall, with the tips, hints, points to remember, step by step process, the cheat sheet, combined with the humor that is included free, Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies is a good buy for the beginner or for someone who wants to sharpen their skills.

MacMice Rating: 4 out of 5
Russ Walkowich

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Try something else..., April 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies (Paperback)

I have used and enjoyed several "for dummies" books in the (somewhat distant) past. However, I found the amount of "funny" material in this book distracting. I had to skim to get to the information I needed - by buying a Dummies book I was hoping to SAVE time. I am using "The Absolute Beginners Guide to Photoshop Elements 2" instead and find it much more straightforward and helpful.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Worthwhile but Do Not Start Digital Photography Here, January 8, 2003

By 

Michael Sharpston (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies (Paperback)

(Based on the Dummies version for Photoshop Elements 1)
This is a wonderful book for explaining the workings of all the amazing tools available with Photoshop Elements -- and a steal at the bargain Amazon price. (How well you get on with Dummies cutesyness is your business).
However, in general it does not give one an overall sense of what makes for good photography with good image-editing. (Exception: with the blur tool it does explain that this can be used to help increase attention to the foreground). You may not be able to see the wood for the trees if you start here.
As a starting point the best book I have found is Bill Corbett, A Simple Guide to Digital Photography, which covers both taking photos and some important uses of Photoshop (notably the key Levels stuff).
I am taking the liberty of posting this against both versions of the Photoshop Elements Dummies book.