Why take this course?

[whaycock]

I am on lesson 15 and find as I move along through the lessons I have gained a greater understanding of using layers and how they really make the job of enhancing and perfecting an image so much easier!

I think the best part of this course is helping one become comfortable with the Elements program in general - just going through the course has enabled me to use more features and generally get way beyond the capabilities that I once did not use - here is how I move through the course:

I down load each video and PDF file as well as the image.

I read the PDF file to gain an understanding of what is to be presented in the video.

I watch the video in it's entirety.

I then open up Elements and go through the procedures as just presented - sometimes I will keep the video open and just pause it so I can replay and go through the set by step procedures as they come up.

I sometimes do this three or four times until I have an understanding of what the procedures do rather then just do them in rote fashion - I never leave the lesson until I have a understanding of the procedure.

Then, I open one of my own images and go through the lesson using my own image to achieve the result I want.

I believe it is important for the student to really understand what is going on - just going through the steps will not help you unless you can visualize why and what you are doing.

At lesson 15 I feel like I am very much more aware of Elements and I am now using layers every time I open a new image to work on - the more one uses the layers the more intuitive this program becomes.

So, strive to "understand" rather then just "doing" and spend time going over and over the lessons - begin now to use "layers" every time you work on an image - it will become very satisfying once you do!

Thanks to all who put this course together - very well done!

Bill Haycock

[Mary]

Well Said Bill! and I agree with all your points.

Layers make the biggest difference in my work flow also and I am totally comfortable with the tools. (Just have to master them).

I am about to review my saved lessons from the course that I started on the very first day. I have found that when you work with something you learn for awhile and then review the lesson - it takes on added significance.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the course Bill - I bet there are a lot of us here that agree!

[whaycock]

One thing I forgot to mention - I also print out each PDF file and tab it in a three ring binder - I find it to be a great resource as i work with Elements.

I also agree with Mary 100% on going back and reviewing the lessons - I plan on going back over the entire course very soon after completing all the lessons - these lessons are too valuable to just not use them and refresh as often as necessary.

Bill

[CarolLHB]

Well said, Bill
These lessons have been so valuable, nice to meet a fellow three-ring
binder-er (?)

Can't wait for the next go round!

[GaryK]

I have all my PDFs in those clear plastic sleeves (I love those things :lol: )

[Jodi Frye]

Well time flew over my head and the lessons are no longer available for me to save the pdf's.... I did manage to watch all the videos tho...oh, and I saved a few Gary, again you are too clever.

[GaryK]

Jodi

I just keep buying those sleeves..I had to put something in them :lol:

[Jodi Frye]

Well maybe I should pressure the staff into letting us get the pdf's...so that I can stuff sleeves of my own. Sounds like fun !

[cathy]

My time passed too, but like you Jodi I did get to save a few lessons.
would like to have the pdf's also...please, pretty please.... :lol:

[willpresley]

Not that I would lay claim to paranoia as in Gary's case--but I did download and saved all the lessons to a cd rom -- also made an index of the lessons copying the page from the site and pasted it into a word document.