Seeking advice

[ronG]

I am new to the forums. I have some previous photography experience, but essentially am new to the world of photography.I have three cameras, a Minolta maxxum 5D with three lenses, 18 X 70 mm, [came with camera], 70 X 300, and a 28 X 75 / 2.8. Also a Nikon P4, and a Sony H2.

After one day of the SLR around my neck, and trying to do macro thru a viewfinder I knew I needed another camera, thus the Nikon. After missing a couple good shots because I could not zoom in with the Nikon, I got the H2.

I am 61 years old and hard of hearing. Attending classes is impossible for me as I cannot hear well enough. Books and the internet are the only way I can learn more.

My question then is what would be the correct course of action to learn how to use Elements 4.0 better? Books? Online training? I have somewhat mastered the more basic functions of elements. I have several photos saved in a version set. Highlighting shadows, saturation, hues, filters, and cropping seem to be fairly easy. Layers, and the magic wand, lasso, etc are challenging to my meager electronic skills.

Although I am new at taking pictures seriously, I have made up my mind that using Elements to make the pictures I take match what I see is photography. Making the pictures I take look any other way is art. I would like to get better at both.

Any and all replys will be appreciated.

[karen donnybrook]

Ron, welcome to the forum. There are many ways of learning that don't require good hearing and you have come to the right place for one of them - read the forum, ask question and practise. Wendy has done some mini-tutorials which can be found at http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3641

If you hve any problems ask and there is sure to be someone around that will be able to help you :)

[graficalicus]

Hi, Ron -

Good for you! Go for it! here's my tips:


Tutorials: Do any and all tutorials you can find online. Google for "Photoshop Tutorial [tutorials topic]" and I guarantee you'll get a bazillion returns for whatever topic you want (for example, here's a search for a Dreamy Effect (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Photoshop+Tutorial+dreamy+effect&btnG=Google+Search). )There's tons of tutorials out there for Photoshop - and the large majority of them are good for Elements, too. Many of the sites you'll find will also (most likely) have many other tutorials, so step through some of them and you'll be a PSE master before long. be sure to try some effects that you aren't really interested in, as well - that's the best way to learn where the tools are, what they do, and when to use them.
Books: My personal favorites are anything by Scott Kelby and the entire WOW series. they explain things in a step-by-step way and make things easy to ubderstand. I only wish my tutorials could be as concise as theirs.
Questions: one thing that a lot of folks forget (including me) is that while you may not have a problem asking questions as a new user, knowing what questions to ask is even tougher. Run through some tutorials and see if you hit a roadblock anywhere - then ask if there's a workaround or an "instead-of" technique.

[Carbone]

Ron,

If you're a subscriber to this webiste, you get access to over 100 videos of Photoshop Elements Techniques, ranging from photo retouching to making selections, creating filmstrips, etc. The videos alone are well worth it. It also comes with a magazine.

As for books, Kelby's are good, as well as the Missing Manual series. Kelby shows project, Missing Manual is like the reference for the entire software. They complement each other.

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi Ron ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

My main suggestion would be that you subscribe to the newsletter (if you haven't already done so). Its very reasonably priced and not only do you get the newsletter but you also get access to the subscriber area. There are over 100 Video tutorials in there plus a lot of written tutorials and new tutorials are added to the subscriber area on a weekly basis ... there are other goodies in there too !! . It is by far the best way I know to learn how to use Elements :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

I was quicker than Wendy!
I was quicker than Wendy!
I was quicker than Wendy!

:D :D
(just kidding)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

:eek: ...

I just knew I shouldn't have gone back and checked my spellings :) :) ... still we both said the same things .. see great minds think alike !

Wendy

[SleeveTugger]

Welcome to the forum.

Ray, you beat Wendy cause she was so busy typing my help.......hahaha.

Thanks to all of you!

[Carbone]

Just in case... Why I said that is because my native language is Canadian French, so I first need to organize my thoughts, then translate in English and spell check before I post. Actually, to be faster than anyone here is almost a little miracle in itself, for me :)

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi Ray ...

I just don't know how you manage to do it ... its hard enough sorting out answers but having to translate them as well :eek: :eek:

Wendy

[Carbone]

Just like my Mac... one OS9 side, one OSX side.. ;)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

:) :)

Wendy

[karen donnybrook]

Wendy, you know our Ray of Light can do anything and do it well :D

[Carbone]

Please pass me the cloth, there's a coffee mess around here.. ;)

Ray