Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual Reviews

• VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

  
  By A14SRPGP0XBL0G on 2006-10-18
  Do you need to edit and organize your photos? If you do, then this book is for you. Author Barbara Brundage, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that is intended to make learning Elements easier by avoiding technical jargon as much as possible, and explaining why and when you'll want to use certain features in the program.
  
  Brundage, begins by showing you how to navigate Elements' slightly confusing layout and mishmash of programs within programs. Then, the author covers how to get photos into Elements, the basics of organizing them, and how to open files and create new images from scratch; as well as, how to save and back up your images. Next, She explains how to rotate and crop your photos, and includes a primer on that most important digital imaging concept--resolution. The author then shows you how to use the Quick Fix window to dramatically improve your photos. She continues by covering two key concepts that you'll use throughout the book. Then, the author shows you how to make basic corrections, such as exposure, color adjustments, sharpening , and removing dust and scratches. Next, she covers topics unique to people who use digital cameras, like RAW conversion and batch processing your photos. The author then moves on to some more sophisticated fixes, like changing the light, using the clone stamp to make repairs, making your photos more lively with hue/saturation and changing the colors in an image. She continues by covering how to convert your photos to black and white, and tinting and recoloring black and white photos. Then, she shows you how to use the Elements' Photomerge feature to create multiphoto panoramas and to make perspective corrections to your images. Next, the author covers how to paint your photos and draw shapes, use filters and effects to create a more artistic look and add type to your images. Then she shows you how to get the most out of your printer, how to create images for the Web and email, how to make slideshows and Web Galleries with your photos, and all the fun projects you can create with Elements 5. Finally, she looks at information about using a .graphics tablet in Elements and some resources for after you've finished this book.
  
  You'll also find tutorials throughout this most excellent book that refer to files you can download from the missing manual web site, so you can practice the techniques you're reading about. More importantly, this book assumes you know how to perform basic activities on your computer, like clicking and double-clicking your mouse and dragging objects onscreen.
  
  

• One of the best Elements feature walkthroughs

  
  By A2QT0KPQU671OU on 2005-12-09
  There are two things you want in a Photoshop book, a walkthrough of the features, and insight into how to use those features to solve real photo problems. This book does a great job covering the features of the product. The explanations of often difficult Photoshop topics are easy to follow. And the example images are great. The practical advice is good, but it's not the primary focus of the book.
  
  I certainly appreciate the brevity of the book. And I really like the full color and the production value. Definitely worth the money.
  
  

• Exceptional Photoshop Elements 4 Guide

  
  By A2TVJ0YDW3QO63 on 2006-02-03
  Another outstanding book in the "Missing Manual" line. Barbara Brundage makes Photoshop Elements 4 not only easy to use, but also a whole lot of fun!! Adobe has many applications that are downright intimidating to many users out there, and it's very refreshing that "Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual" was created. From covering the basics of how to get around the Elements application, the author starts of with the basics of getting your images onto your computer, and the most simple of effects like rotation and cropping. From there, she discusses the all-important topic of layers and basic image retouching so you can take your digital images and make them go from good to GREAT!!! Continuing on with a look at filters and how to get your images printed so they look beautiful and/or posting them to the web or emailing them, this guide is perfect for all new Photoshop Elements users who want to get their feet web on the way to becoming an Elements super user.
  
  I cannot recommend this book highly enough. While it's a little bit more expensive than other books in the "Missing Manual" line, the price should NOT be a factor in your decision making. If you are looking for a book that will assist in your knowledge of learning how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 you have come to the right place. If you want to learn more about what is included in the newest release of this outstanding application, look no further. If just want to read an entertaining book and expand your knowledge of how to work with digital imagery so you can make your images look better than ever, again you will NOT be disappointed.
  
  This is the way all books should be written: clearly, simply, and enjoyable.
  
  ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
  
  

• Book shows you don't need a Hummer to drive to work

  
  By A2E3F04ZK7FG66 on 2006-07-03
  Adobe's Photoshop is the granddaddy of all image-editing programs. But Photoshop has some big drawbacks--it's very hard to master, it's horribly expensive, and many of the features in it are just plain overkill if you don't plan to work on pictures for a living. For several years, Adobe tried to find a way to cram many of Photoshop's marvelous powers into a package that normal people could use. Photoshop Elements offers much of the power of Photoshop in a program that almost anyone can learn to use. I'm a big fan of the Missing Manual series, and this book retains the excellence I've come to expect in the series. Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I discuss this book in the context of the table of contents:
  
  Chapter 1 - "Finding Your Way Around Elements", helps get you oriented in Elements starting with the Welcome Screen. You'll learn about what to expect when you start up the program and how to use Elements to fix your photos with just a couple of keystrokes.
  
  Chapter 2 - "Importing and Managing Your Photos" shows you how to import your photos from cameras, digital card readers, and scanners. You'll also find out how to import individual frames from videos, how to open files that are already on your computer, and how to create a new file from scratch. After that, you'll learn how to use the Organizer to sort and find your pictures once they're in Elements.
  
  Chapter 3 - "Rotating, Resizing, and Saving" looks at how to trim off unwanted areas, straighten out crooked photos, and save your files. You'll also learn how to change the overall size of your images and how to zoom in and out, to get a better look at things while you're editing.
  
  Chapter 4 - "The Quick Fix" shows how to use "The Quick Fix Window", which gathers together easy-to-use tools that can help you adjust the brightness and color of your photos and make them look sharper.
  
  Chapter 5 - "Making Selections" shows you how to select part of your image and make changes only to that area. You can select your entire image or any part of it.
  
  Chapter 6 - "Layers: The Heart of Elements" shows how to keep your changes and still revert to the original image by using layers, which is a system of transparent sheets that keep each element of your image on a separately editable sliver. By putting each change you make on its own layer, you can constantly rearrange the composition of your image, or add and subtract changes whenever you want.
  
  Chapter 7 - "Basic Image Retouching" guides you through fixing basic exposure problems, new ways of sharpening your photos, and most important, understanding how Elements can improve the colors in your photos.
  
  Chapter 8 - "Elements for Digital Photographers" shows you how to use a collection of advanced tools pulled straight from Photoshop. You learn how to use the RAW Converter, Photo Filter, and Batch File Processor.
  
  Chapter 9 - "Retouching 102: Fine-Tuning Your Images" introduces you to some advanced editing maneuvers that will greatly help you either rescue damaged photos or give good ones some added style. Techniques include eliminating dust, scratches, stains, and other photographic imperfections.
  
  Chapter 10 - "Creating Panoramas and Transforming Images" shows how to use the Photomerge command, which allows you to stitch together a group of photos that you've taken while panning across the horizon.
  
  Chapter 11 - "Drawing with Brushes, Shapes, and Other Tools" shows how you can paint with lots of things besides color - such as lights or shadows, for example. In Elements, when you want to apply an effect in a precise manner, you're often going to use some sort of brush to do it.
  
  Chapter 12 - "Filters, Effects, Layer Styles, and Gradients" discusses special tools that will have people thinking you're a better artist than you actually are. These are largely tools for turning a photo into an artistic work - say, a watercolor for example.
  
  Chapter 13 - "Type in Elements" is about adding text to your photos. You will learn how to create all kinds of fancy text to use on greeting cards, newsletter headlines, or graphics for Web pages.
  
  Chapter 14 - "Printing Your Photos" covers printing your photos at home on an inkjet printer, taking them to a printing kiosk at a local store, or using an online printing service. You'll learn how to interface to Kodak's EasyShare Gallery, Adobe's online printing partner.
  
  Chapter 15 - "Elements and the Web" shows you how to share your photos online, send your photos to cellphones, and transmit them to Palm-based handhelds.
  
  Chapter 16 - "HTML Photo Galleries and Slideshows" discusses creating HTML Photo Galleries, collections of ready-made Web pages featuring all the photos you want to display. You'll also learn how Elements helps you put together digital slideshows, complete with fancy between-photo transitions and audio.
  
  Chapter 17 - "Beyond the Basics" discusses adding new brush shapes, Layer styles, and fancy filters. Also discussed are free add-on features already available on the web. This chapter also discusses how to know when you really do need the full version of Photoshop instead. You'll also learn about the many resources available for expanding your knowledge of Elements beyond this book.
  
  As you can see, Photoshop Elements 4 is a very complete image processing package, and this book is a very accessible guide to discovering all of its aspects. I make daily use of this manual and recommend it highly.
  
  
  
  
  

• Will get you started with Elements in no time

  
  By A2ZOAP455JODFA on 2005-12-29
  This book doesn't cover everything you can do with Adobe Photoshop Elements - and yet it covers so much - it's also easy to read. It's good that the book is in full color - it is even better that the color has been put to good use and everything is so well explained with reference to the visuals. You'll also find tons of text boxes all over the book that explain workarounds, new features, and tricks - the first thing I read was these text boxes. The book is logically laid out and most of the content is explained in a task-specific manner so you can follow the steps while keeping the book next to the computer.
  
  For me, who has been using the full Photoshop product, this book has been tempting enough to make me buy a copy of Elements 4 so that I can share my digital images with friends and family. About the sharing images part, this book explains that too! The book also provides many links to sites online, and other books. I have no qualms recommending this book.
  
  Geetesh Bajaj/Indezine.com
  
  
  
• "A PHOTOGRAPH IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!!"
  By A14SRPGP0XBL0G on 2006-03-27
  Do you want to improve your photos, keep them organized, and make top-notch prints and truly nifty creative projects? Well, you're in luck! Author Barbara Brundage, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that will help you (no matter whether you are a professional or amateur photographer) rejuvenate old prints, slides and even digital photos, to eliminate the wear and tear of all of those years.
  
  Brundage, begins by showing you how to navigate Elements' slightly confusing layout and mishmash of programs within programs. Then, she covers how to get photos into Elements, the basics of organizing them, and how to open files and create new images from scratch. The author continues by looking at how to save and back up your images, and explains the concept of resolution. She also shows you how to use the Quick Fix window to dramatically improve your photos. She continues by covering two key concepts (making selections and layers) that you'll use throughout the book. In addition, the author next shows you how to make basic corrections, such as exposure, color adjustments, sharpening, and removing dust and scratches. Then, she'll show you how to make some more sophisticated fixes, like changing the light, using the clone stamp to make repairs, making your photos more lively with hue/saturation, and changing the colors in an image. The author continues by covering topics unique for people who use digital cameras, like RAW conversion and batch processing your photos. She also shows you how to use the Elements' Photomerge feature to create multi-photo panoramas, and to make perspective corrections to your images. The author also covers painting on your photos and drawing shapes; using filters and effects to create a more artistic look; an, adding type to your images. She continues by showing you how to get the most out of your printer, how to create images for the Web and email; how to make slide shows and Web Galleries with your photos; and, all the fun projects in the Create section of the program. Finally, she looks at how to use a graphics tablet in Elements and some resources for after you've finished this book.
  
  This excellent book is intended by the author to make learning Elements easier by avoiding technical jargon as much as possible, and explaining why and when you'll want to use certain features in the program. Thus, in keeping the preceding in mind, this book is useful to people who are advanced photographers, as it is to those who are just getting started with their first digital camera.
  
  
  
• Easy to read- Full Color, Very Helpful! Buy this book!
  By A1E9I5NUTLM7XB on 2006-01-13
  There are so many books to choose from on Photoshop Elements and even though Elements 4 just came out, there are still several books to consider. I looked at which books had color examples and how many pages they had. This book won out on both criteria.
  After reading it, I can honestly say that I made a wonderful decision! This book has thoroughly explained the ins and outs of Photoshop Elements 4. I feel confident enough to take on any task and even things I had never thought of before!
  I bought this to help with digital scrapbooking because Elements has "layers". Many digital editing programs do not have layers, so be aware when choosing editing software.
  Adobe Photoshop is the Master of all digital editing software. The average or even above-average photographer does NOT need to spend 800$ on Photoshop when you can get Elements 4 for $60 on Amazon!
  I highly suggest getting "The Missing Manual" if you own Elements- it will show you things you didn't know were possible! Make the most out of your software and get this book!!
  Make the most of your digital photos and get this book!!
  
  
• This manual is a "must have" for PSE v.5 owners
  By A3OPE3RJVZVUB2 on 2006-11-11
  This is one of the best all around "how to" books for photoshop elements that I have seen to date. Most manuals go into great detail about how to fix photos but leave out the many other advantages and uses of the Photoshop Elements program. This manual covers the PSE program from start to finish, including text, brushes, slideshows, printing and photo albums. For digital scrapbookers who use PSE v.5, this manual will save much time and frustration. I highly recommend it.
  
  
• This book is not for newbies to Photoshop Elements 5
  By A1Y8WRB58WHA3Z on 2007-04-27
  This book is well written and very inclusive of needed information, however, I am new to Elements 5 and it is more than I can handle at this time. It would have been nice for the author to have started from the easiest to the hardest information, but I find she is forever jumping around and forever sending me to other pages to understand the section I am now reading?????
  
  When trying to locate a task I want to do on Elements, I can never find a reference for it in the index.
  
  I would very much recommend this book to anyone who has had experience with other editions of elements, but not for those of us just starting out. I will keep this book as a great resource for future reference, but I think I need to purchase another book that can dummy this info down for me. LOL. Hummmmm, and here I thought I was a fairly intelligent person??? Surprise!!!!
  
  
• Comparing This book to Scott Kelby's...Get the Brundage book.
  By A1NEDBHS3BIGFB on 2007-05-26
  I bought two books -- one by Scott Kelby, and this book -- "Photoshop Elements 5 the Missing Manual" by Barbara Brundage.
  After reading Kelby's, I opened The Missing Manual book by Brundage. I never look back. Brundage is not only a lot better, it is in a different league. This is the standard all other Photoshop learning book should copy.
  
  Get the Missing Manual. You will never regret it.
  I regreted buying the Kelby book. It is up for resale.
  
  
  
• Five Stars for Elements 5
  By A1GK3X4ZRDVI4M on 2007-04-11
  If you've used Photoshop Elements 2, then you have some background for Elements 5. I figured it took me a full week of reading and computer operating to be comfortable with the updated program. I still have a lot to learn. I looked at a number of books on Elements 5, and for me here are the top two: one by Scott Kelby (with his strange sense of humor) and the other by Barbara Brundage. Both books are priced the same. Scott Kelby's has 487 pages and is printed on a semi-gloss paper. He also includes a camera target for highlight, raw white balance, midtone (grey), and shadow (black). The Brundage book has 554 pages printed on smooth paper which I prefer because it is easier to pencil in notes or underline items for future reference. Color reproductions with both books is excellent, with the edge to Kelby. Unless you set your digital camera on automatic, you probably need to have your camera instruction manual close by.
  The same holds true for the Adobe Elements Program. You can catch on to the basics pretty fast, but you need the Elements 5 book on your lap when you're working with the computer. I also printed a number of pages from the instructions included with the Elements program, but when you condsider the time factor, the cost of ink and paper, you're better off buying the book.
  
  
• Timesaving Photoshop techniques based on basics
  By A2FNM5JVHZP0IW on 2006-03-17
  There are so many Photoshop books on the market already that one might wonder about the need for yet another; especially as it's a relatively basic primer on the program which covers how the tools and commands work - something intrinsic to competing Photoshop guides. Barbara Brundage 's PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 4: THE MISSING MANUAL is different, however: among the differences are color screen shots and photo examples to help illustrate these basics, a focus on timesaving techniques which reveal both the power and simplicity of the program, artists' tricks for touching up and changing photos, and more. This is truly the 'manual that should have been in the box' and is especially recommended for any who've just purchased Photoshop Elements 4 and wish to get a running head-start on learning its features.
  
  
• Yeah...this should have been included with the software...
  By A3CW0ZLUO5X2B1 on 2006-11-26
  I've been using "Missing Manual" books for several years. The unfortunate lack of printed manuals accompanying technology products has created this market, which I have turned to for help with my operating system and several software applications. Photoshop and its consumer cousin, Photoshop Elements are both feature dense. They are powerful, but not especially intuitive. I bought this book out of sheer frustration over how to quickly add blur to the backgrounds of photos (and spending 30 minutes in the software's help menus and online to figure out how to do so).
  
  Since buying it, this book has clued me into a number of powerful techniques (including tagging and catalog backups) that have enhanced my images and my organization.
  
  If you are working your digital images with Photoshop Elements, this should be next to your computer!
  
  
• Very helpful
  By A3TMBYDFP1B9DM on 2006-01-30
  Though sometimes I find myself lost because the directions, I feel are not very good. I am new to Photoshop and I do not know where all the buttons are, so when the books says, click on the eraser button for example I find myself spending sometime searching for the button because there is no picture of the button. Other than that it has a lot of great ideas and 98% of the time I can recreate what they are doing. Book is very helpful with colored images. I would recommend this book.
  
  
• Great update
  By AK7MR3AMXCDC3 on 2005-12-18
  Although there aren't many new features in Photoshop Elements 4, it's nice to have them covered in this update. This is a good basic book for those who aren't too familiar with image editing.
  
  
• Have No Fear
  By A1QD849LLZD0Y2 on 2006-02-17
  If you want more than just the quick reference guide that comes with Photoshop Elements 4, you've found it. I'm brand new to Adobe Photoshop and thanks to this book,I'm having no trouble understanding all the bells and whistles. Don't hesitate, it's a good one.
  
  
• TOPS! lucid, factual, complete, easy-to-follow along; but missing a CD
  By AJPH8OQSWKR7K on 2007-01-13
  As with the Elements 2 and 3 "Missing Manuals" the author continues her complete mastery of the topic -- after all, she's on the development team, and a dedicated responder in the Adobe User Forum as well. If some of the text and illustrations look familiar from prior editions, it's only because that topic hasn't changed from previous versions. Everything new added in PSE5 -- and it's well worth the update -- has been seamlessly integrated into the existing material; unlike some of the mass producers who all-too-obviously just tack the new material onto their current product.
  
  This book is refreshingly easy to read and understand, yet covers all the essentials thoroughly -- including RAW processing -- with extra hints and tips for the advanced user. Even included are excellent instructions for getting rid of those intrusive "Organizer" and "Fetcher" programs that Adobe forces on Windows (but not MAC) users.
  
  Some of the tutorial follow-along images can be downloaded, to be sure. But this guide book would have been better yet if an inexpensive CD with full-size images [rather than pixel-starved web downloads] were included so that the user could truly grasp the enormous richness of the program which now is close to being a 'mini-Photoshop'.
  
  
• One of the Most Readable and Complete Software Guides Ever
  By A1KZ6DOIMW3LFC on 2007-03-04
  Having used software guides since the early 80's, I found the comfortable readability of this book to be a very pleasant surprise. Since software application and programming guides are designed to be helpful technical resources, they are usually dry and end up on a shelf to be pulled out when needed. But this book held my interest for five straight chapters, and through many other sections as well. Brundage's precise and friendly writing style, without being flip or condescending, her abundance of rich illustrations, and her thorough coverage, created a new appreciation for the endless possibilities of Photoshop Elements 5.
  
  Another key to maintaining interest is the author's use of beautiful, full-color photos to demonstrate Elements' features and capabilities. She often suggests that the reader download the same photo from the Missing Manual web site to give the tool a try.
  
  Also, Brundage regularly provides cross-references to pages containing more advanced material on the present topic or tool. Also, she frequently lists page numbers for other ways of accomplishing the same goal with a different tool. As a result, she can maintain a steady flow of new content without having to exhaust every subject when first introduced.
  
  Through regular use of quarter or half-page boxes with such titles as: Up to Speed, Power Users' Clinic, Frequently Asked Question, Information Station, Gem in the Rough, Compatibility, Troubleshooting Moment, Workaround Workshop, On the Web, Under the Hood, In the Field, etc. the writer provides answers, hints, tips, technical information, web information, etc. that is not only helpful, but interesting.
  
  Brundage begins with a helpful overview of the Editor and Quick Fix features and capabilities. Then she walks the reader through these from the simplest to the more complex-from simple rotation and cropping to layers, filters, and masks. In later chapters she covers the use of the Organizer, printing, slideshows and flipbooks, and adjusting images for the web or email.
  
  A short resources chapter at the end covers the use of graphics tablets, Internet resources, and helpful Elements plugins. Two comprehensive appendices show and briefly explain every menu and sub-menu in the Organizer and Editor, while a third appendix deals with installation and troubleshooting issues.
  
  One of the most important features of any software guide is a comprehensive index. When I experience a problem using an application or programming tool, I expect to quickly find relevant answers in a book devoted to that product. The Missing Manual has yet to disappoint me in this regard. For example, I recently wanted to know if the "Process Multiple Files" dialog I had opened would overwrite the original image files.
  
  I first selected the Index Tab in Element's Help window, but couldn't find this capability listed under any of the relevant letters. Next, entering "process multiple" in the Help Search Box took me to this topic, but Adobe's one-page explanation failed to answer my question.
  
  Later, at home, I easily found the entry "Process Multiple Images" in the index of The Missing Manual. It pointed to the first of seven pages of description and screen shots that answered my question and thoroughly covered this topic.
  
  I very highly recommend this book for its readability, comprehensive coverage, and extensive resources.
  
  Reviewer: Chuck Thomas, VP of Technology, Bowling Green Area Microcomputer Users Group
  
  
  
• For a Beginner, this book is great!
  By A1G0HAKO2U2DQI on 2006-08-09
  I am new to digital photo editing,and after taking a few classes on a cruise ship where PSE 4 was the software of choice, I purchased a copy for myself. What a great program, but very complex for a novice like myself. While the software manual and Help section in PSE 4 were decent, I still felt like I was missing something. Looking for an additional "help book" I read some of the reviews of the "Missing Manual" and decided to buy it. That was one of the best decisions of my life. The Missing Manual covers everything a novice would want in a clear, easy to read manner. If you want to get really sophisticated with editing, then the Missing Manual will also be a book you will want. The book covers every aspect of PSE 4 and clearly explains the really complex stuff. You can tell that the author really knows the product. The illustrations in the book are fantastic, and the downloads available from the website are great for practicing what you are learning from the book. You won't regret owning this book.
  
  
• Photoshop 5 owners can't be without this manual
  By A14OJS0VWMOSWO on 2006-12-11
  Photoshop Elements 5 is a powerful program that, surprisingly, comes without a user's guide, so let the colorful Barbara Brundage 'bible' PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5: THE MISSING MANUAL substitute for the publisher's lack. Here's a manual which goes beyond the usual tools overview to survey timesaving elements, differences between Photoshop and Elements tools, applications such as scrapbooking, and all the basics on removing unwanted color, tweaking images for professional results, and using filters and photo layouts. Photoshop 5 owners can't be without this manual; especially newcomers - but also those with some basics down who want to move easily to the next level.
  
  Diane C. Donovan
  California Bookwatch
  
  
• Great Book
  By A1MMXYZSHABZRS on 2007-05-15
  I bought this book to try to squeeze all I could out of Elements before I move on to the full Photoshop. I have been very happy with what I have learned so far. I decided to read even the parts in which I felt quite accomplished and found many helpful hints that I did not realize existed.
  The book is easy to read and certainly not over my head, however, I have read that some found it too complicated. I would say if you don't know the basics of using a computer then you might need some additional help.
  Elements is my first photography program, so I am no expert. I think this book will save me the price of moving up to the full blown version, and the trouble of taking courses to learn it.
  
  
• Good, but ONLY FOR WINDOWS
  By A1CQWVW4DCK8GD on 2006-10-10
  Great detail, but I was very disappointed to discover it is only for Windows. It does NOT cover PE4 for the Mac. There are some substantial differences between the applications on the two platforms. Good material, but now I have to figure out what to do on my Mac ...
  
  Per the author, there are no plans to update for the Mac. Surprising to see it abandoned, since most of the Missing Manuals cover the Mac platform.
  
  
• Absolutely essential for the begining Photoshop user
  By A2NPW2DAX5NF3Y on 2006-12-06
  I won't repeat the previous excellent reviews. Suffice it to say that I've tried a few Photoshop books over the years and this one is the best. Excellent writing and defined tasks make this book a perfect learning tool for beginning and even intermediate users.
  
  
• Great if you want to learn Elements from scratch
  By A29DURE9WBUHPB on 2007-05-23
  Before I purchased this book, I tried to use the help features, but I couldn't get anywhere. Once I started to read this book, I began to make some progress as well as learn things I didn't plan on learning. I've only begun learning Elements, but all I need is there to learn as much as I wish when I have the time to do so. Before this book, I began to wonder if I ever could learn Elements 5.
  
  
• Elements 4: The Missing Manual
  By A3AFSIP5XZQ5WD on 2006-06-26
  The one thing I'm always happy to see is that the manual is printed in color. Even factory manuals are printed in black and white most of the time. The material was well written and easy to understand. Many helpful hints were included, which factory manuals don't often include. The book assumes you have a general knowledge of computers and basic photographic programs. Although I haven't finished the book yet or experimented with all features available to the user through this book, I can see that 'Photoshop Elements: The Missing Manual' is essential for anyone having this program.
  
  
• Photoshop Elements 4 The Missing Manual
  By A3LQV40T44IAEQ on 2006-07-17
  I adopted Photoshop Elements 4 One on One to use for a class I am teaching on Photoshop Elements 4. This book did not come with a CD. One has to go online to get the lessons that go with the book. That can be a problem for students who do not have Internet access when they are working from home. Believe it or not some people still do not have the Internet!
  
  I have used the book to gain addtional information about Photoshop Elements 4 and found it to be very good. I just think a CD or DVD should have been included. All of the classroom books used in the community college have CDs or DVDs in the back of the book so students expect it today.
  
  
• confusing
  By AKKZWMW6SIPMX on 2007-03-08
  I am a new Elements user, therefore this book is not a good choice. Although it is loaded with information, the how to's are extremely confusing and not very clear. In my opinion it skips around to much. In one chapter you are learning layers and the next chapter you are retouching photos. It does have good suggestions for further information on the web, which I have gone to and has been helpful.
  
  
• Great approach to Photoshop Elements 4
  By A1V10K3EOSW1V6 on 2006-07-19
  While the Elements 4 manual isn't exactly missing, it is no where near as complete as this one, which covers every feature in great detail. This book belongs on the shelf of every digital photographer who is using Elements.
  
  
• Excellent Companion to Photoshope Elements 5
  By A152DO8Z0NU5LB on 2007-01-15
  Excellent book to help the user dive into the many features of Adobe Photoshop Elements. The book covers everything from the basics to working with raw images. I found that I could either just sit and read it or work along by opening either my photos or one of the downloads offered. Well worth the money.
  
  
• Missing Now Found
  By AAXR4QV40GXD on 2007-01-27
  I purchased both the Elements/Premier software combo and this manual at the same time. Having made several attempts at using Photoshop without any truly productive success, I have now found a software/manual combination that works. The manual is set up without a requirement to work in any set order. Turn to what you want to do and get started. I'm very pleased with this product.
  
  

• Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 [OLD VERSION]
• The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers (VOICES)
• Photoshop Elements 5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
• The Digital Photography Book
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Classroom in a Book