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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reference manual for all levels of users!, December 12, 2008
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 7 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide (Paperback)
I'm a photoshop and photoshop elements instructor, and always upgrading my learning of the tools in these programs, as well as looking at books to recommend to students. I have five photoshop elements books, although only one on elements 7, and find this one (as well as Scott Kelby's Elements for Digital Photographers, but the Elements 7 edition isn't out yet) to be the most useful over-all reference and teaching tool for learning the program. Although the McLelland's One-on-One series is more thorough and comprehensive, some of McClelland's exercises are much too advanced for beginners, who are likely to be confused if too much is thrown at them at once.
Carlson's Visual Quickstart Guide breaks down the program tool by tool and technique by technique, with clear instructions and illustrations for each. All that is lacking is a cd or dvd with practice files --- but you will generally pay considerably more for photoshop and photoshop elements books which have them.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get up-to-date with Photoshop Elements 7, November 9, 2008
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 7 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide (Paperback)
The Visual QuickStart Guides are a popular way to get started with a new software or get up-to-date with the latest upgrade of your favorite software. This QuickStart Guide by Jeff Carlson covers Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and there is a lot of information packed into this book. Photoshop Elements 7 has grown from a miniature version of Photoshop to a graphic and photo editing software in its own right. Therefore, you will find some information in this guide that you may not have considered important for previous versions of Elements. As the software has grown up, so has the need for a comprehensive reference guide. This book answers that need, with its task-based, illustrated step-by-step instructions covering all the tools and features of this latest upgrade. Also, as you work through the book, you will notice that the author has included supporting information such as color modes and profiles, image resolution and file size, and file formats and image output.
The author starts with a tour of the new Photoshop Elements 7 workspace and introduces the new features and enhancements. He then jumps right into teaching the basic tasks in the improved Organizer. He also discusses one of Elements newest features which is the integration of Elements with [...].
A big part of Photoshop Elements is its image editing features. The author covers how to use the many editing tools, especially concentrating on the one-click auto fixes such as the Quick Fix Edits and the preset actions and effects in the Guided Edit pane. But he also covers how to use the tools for making manual fixes and alterations to your images including the selection tools, color adjustments and photo merging.
Moving on to the next part of the book, the author introduces the creative tools including how to use layers, styles, blend modes, filters and special effects. He also covers how to use the painting, drawing and text tools and how to format text and create your own images from scratch.
The author finishes with how to prepare images for the web and the options for optimizing your images. He also covers how to print, order and share your photos directly from within the Photoshop Elements workspace and how to create slide-shows, online albums and how to email your photos.
Jeff Carlson has a design company called Never Enough Coffee Creations and is the author of many books and articles.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From Rad to Retro, March 30, 2009
This review is from: Photoshop Elements 7 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide (Paperback)
Photoshop Elements 7 by Jeff Carlson is a fabulous, full-color book with a treasure trove of information. Elements just keeps getting better and better, and this version is a winner. This excellent book helps you take full advantage of everything Elements can do.
This book is a beauty. It's packed with easy-to-read, understandable directions and there are helpful color illustrations on almost every page,. Everywhere you look, there is a "Tip"-the icing on the cake--and step-by-step instructions. And, the pages are tabbed so it's fast and easy to thumb though and look up a subject.
This soft-cover 384-page book flows through 14 chapters and ends with Editor and Organizer Keyboard Shortcuts. Although a dedicated beginner could use the book, I think an intermediate to advanced user would get the most out of it.
The book covers all the usual subjects like the work areas in the Organizer and the Editor and progresses logically through the features. I picked up lots of interesting information. For instance, you can place your photos on the map, literally. With the map and pushpin feature, you can associate your files with a specific geographical location in the Organizer. I've seen this feature for a few years but it somehow flew under the radar.
In the editor, there are limitless possibilities for editing, enhancing and generally wrecking havoc with your photos. Every action you take has all sorts of exciting ways of combing tools for creative control and a wider a palette of effects. You can erase backgrounds, change tones, remove objects, composite images, and enhance perspective. Once you start working with layers, a whole new world of digital editing opens up. After that, you can explore painting and drawing, working with type and distort your images in crazy ways. You'll be the new digital Dali.
Finally you can review all the ways to share your photos that Elements 7.0 offers. Create slide shows, lively PDF files, web galleries, interactive albums, and much more. And, if you want to do something really retro, you could print your photos. This book will give you lots on info on all of these subjects.
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