UPDATE time: My initial impression of this book stands.. It is super. I must confess I have not followed it step by step, but have taken to 'finding my problem' in the book and then following directions! "what you need, WHEN you need it!"
Such as moving a dog's head from one body to another to get perspective on how to paint it on a rock. Page 274 "Combining Multiple Images." Only 2 pages but it tells step by step how. Then there's removing the huge bright center of a pet's eye, akin to removing the 'red eye' in humans. Page 138 with 3 pages of pictures and specific details. Most important in my work since the 'red out' feature doesn't work for animals.
Thus, my "so far" has been changed to "now I know where to look". This book enables me to work magic with pictures, soon I'll graduate to videos. Yep This is my PHOTO BIBLE! Now back to the original review:
"Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 Classroom in a book" is the title on the cover of this amazing workbook. Having been about ready to smash the C/D that came with the Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 software and delete it off my poor, abused computer, I decided to give E-Bay a try and see if they had anything to help me!
A bit of recap here! My hubby gave me this subject software as a Christmas gift last year!(Christmas 2005) Until last month I was still battling confusion, frustration, anger, remorse.. etc.. trying to figure out how to use it. I went to Adobe web site and found they had a "how to" book for $85! NO WAY, our rigid, 'fixed income' just didn't allow for such expense. More tears n frustration!
Ah ha, bright light.. EBAY. ...Long story short! Got the book for $27 including S/H..
It's wonderful. Not a BIG book, 7"x9", softcover, it comes with a C/D that covers "LESSON FILES...and so much more". It's a "book C/D" that includes lesson files, a tutorial on making 'QuickTime' Movies, Adobe Press ie, info about titles including all the Adobe products in the Press folder, and Adobe Certified ie, info to become an Adobe certified expert or instructor. There are 8 pages of CONTENTS covering 9 sections. Getting Started, 1) A quick Tour of Photoshop Elements, 2)Organizing & Sharing Photos, 3) Sharing Creations, 4) Adjusting Color in Images, 5) Fixing Exposure Problems, 6) Repairing & Retouching Images, 7) Working with Text, 8) Combining Multiple images and 9) Advanced Editing Techniques
All of this information is in my computer! It's part of the whole software bit. I even printed out nearly a ream of paper from "help" but then couldn't find anything when I tried to use it.
Granted, I'm only on page 62 of 328 (not counting the INDEX in the back) But I already have learned how to import pictures, how to catalog files, how to reconnect missing files (which happens when I move a picture from folder to another).
I've learned to get from Editor -where you do the editing- to Organizer -where the photos & files are- and back.
I've learned to tag photos and cross-reference them. How to sort into batches. It even touched on making greeting cards. In the process I'm learning more about my computer.
Each item of instruction has a picture of what you should be seeing on the screen. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. A few times I've had to re-read a set of directions.. even OUT LOUD so I'm 'hearing' as well as 'seeing' what to do. (that's just a little basic learning tip)and I have the tendency to want to skip ahead when it seems that I know what to do. NOT.. DO NOT SKIP... just takes twice as long and confuses the issue.
There are "TIPS" highlighted in yellow at the end of appropriate sections. I'm almost 1/4 of the way into this book and it's well worth the $28.
I work with a photo to use as a reference when I paint a pet's portrait on a rock. I need to get close up and sometimes edit a photo to move its head or lighten to see details, etc. And this book has shown me how to import, find, edit, save, catalog, re-size, etc etc etc.
So my original "Epinion" of the Adobe software remains the same.. as far as I'm concerned it would still be hopeless.. without this Classroom in a Book. I feel they should have included this book with the software and save the computer-illiterate customers months of frustration, anxiety, tears and anger!! It's sorta like owning a Lincoln and not knowing how to drive! But if a driving course was included in the sale, it would be super.
Well, I got my "driving course" and, NOW I feel the Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 might be well worth the money my hubby paid for it!
Recommended:
