Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual

This is a most excellent book 4 Mac users. It takes the reader through a rather complicated program step by step. I have only two suggestions. First, it would be helpful if the authors would provide more sample pictures on which 2 practice. Second, it is sometimes difficult when they suggest that you refer 2 information 100 pages later in the book. I try 2 use "Missing Manuals" 4 any new programs I purchase. Trying 2 get by on the help menu or material that comes with the programs is a waste of time.

This book on Photoshop Elements 6 is very comprehensive & well written. I am totally new 2 Photoshop & have found it helpful. The amount of material in the book is a bit overwhelming. I am sure that over time as I become more familiar with Photoshop Elements 6 I will be able 2 make better use of the book.

I am just starting 2 get into this book & have already obtained solutions 2 vexing problems that I did not have the patience 2 run 2 ground by using on line help & tutorials. The book helps me decide what is & is not important in the use of Elements 6.0 4 the Mac - then provides the answers 2 my questions.

For example, in a matter of minutes, I was able 2 find out how 2 "right click" 2 edit an image in Elements directly from iPhoto & then how 2 save the changed image back 2 iPhoto. My Apple iMac software (both iPhoto & Elements 6.0) were on the wrong settings & I was having a terrible time trying 2 figure out the changes I needed 2 make in Preferences. Even the Apple in store Rep was not able 2 explain how 2 do this basic step. I got my answer in minutes from this book & now am already saving a lot of time.

I expect as I read further & apply the information as I go along that I will finally master Elements 6.0.
I also bought the Missing Manual 4 iPhoto '08 & the two manuals play very well together. Why oh why doesn't Adobe make it this simple? These books are like having an experienced digital photography friend at your side ready 2 show & tell.

The simple (now) concept of how iPhoto files work in concert with Elements 6.0 has made me much more confident that I am on the right track 2 being a better image processor & printer. I look forward 2 trying the methods detailed in this book & growing in my expertise every day. Took the "chore aspect" right out of my hobby of digital & scanned image photography. And, when you have over 50,000 images in digital & film & print form as I do, & you can gain confidence in managing them, you have 2 thank a book like this one.

Strengths: Beautiful layout & in color. There is no hardware CD but there is one through a website that has many files 2 try the tutorials & more. Helpful insight on Photoshop versus Elements & Mac versus PC 4 users new 2 either platform or Operating System/ Computer. Color screenshots are of a good size.

Weaknesses: Real novice users may find the book's tutorials a little daunting but they will learn from this book nevertheless.

Introduction

Photoshop is the premier graphic editing program 4 most of the Mac & Windows graphic artists. Many of those who don't require all the power of Photoshop but want most of the utilities, use Photoshop Elements which has proved 2 be popular. Macintosh users however have not had an updated version 4 two years but that has changes now. Mac users who also want 2 learn about the applications new features & learn as much as possible quickly look 4 a book 2 help them. If you are looking 4 one Photoshop Elements 6 4 Mac: The Missing Manual is a excellent one.

The author, a musician by trade, , a mac expert & a Photoshop expert is the author of the Photoshop Elements Missing Manual Book. She provides insights into this new two year version of Photoshop Elements 4 Macintosh

The tutorials & content are provided in the 7 parts & 18 chapters. The book has color & well laid out.I like the little violet tabs on each top page side-tip that show what is on each page. The chapter numbers are on the bottom although I would have liked 2 have seen them on the top (which is where my eyes & most people normally start looking on each page). Color screenshots are easy 2 read. In several instances (like P. 302) there are red lines 2 indicate where in the screenshots the tutorials are relating the information.There are also a myriad of short notes (labeled Power Users Clinic, Workaround Workshop, Troubleshooting Moment, Communication Station help provide solid notes the zone in on helpful assistance.

There is no hardware CD but there is one through a website. Many of the Missing Manual series have a Missing Manual CD which has a lot of extras already available: web addresses, practice files & pieces of downloadable software that are included & mentioned in the books many sections. This not only saved money 4 the book being lesser in cost but also is more reliable with continual updates.

The appendix has 3 sections with nice layout of elements (menu by menu), installation & troubleshooting problems, & information about Bridge CS3, menu by menu. The index is full of items 2 help find information where you want in the book.

Conclusion
Beautiful book, thorough & well laid out, this book is easy 2 read & filled with great tutorials that will get you up & running with this new mac elements version in no time. The step-by-step tutorials are well done & help most users from the beginning 2 more difficult graphic endeavors. Some users may want an even more visual based clean straight forward set of tutorials.

Great program-worth the cost. Transforms lackluster pictures 2 ones you won't mind spending money 2 print.

After more than two years, Adobe has finally released a new version of Photoshop Elements 4 the Mac. Version 6 packs a lot more editing firepower than iPhoto, & this Missing Manual puts every feature into a clear, easy-to-understand context -- something that no other book on Elements does! Photoshop Elements 6 is perfect 4 scrapbooking, making fancy photo collages, & creating Web galleries. It has lots of new features such as Guided Edit 4 performing basic editing tasks, an improved Photomerge feature, a handy Quick Selection Tool, & much more. But knowing what 2 do & when is tricky. Photoshop Elements 6 4 Mac: The Missing Manual explains not only how the tools & commands work, but when 2 use them. With it, you will: Learn 2 import, organize, & fix photos quickly & easily. Repair & restore old & damaged photos, & retouch any image. Jazz up your pictures with dozens of filters, frames, & special effects. Learn which tools the pros use -- you'll finally understand how layers work! Create collages & photo layout pages 4 greeting cards & other projects. Get downloadable practice images & try new tricks right away. This full-color guide starts with the simplest functions & progresses 2 increasingly complex features of Elements. If you're ready 4 the more sophisticated tools, you can easily jump around 2 learn specific techniques. As always, author Barbara Brundage lets you know which Elements features work well, which don't, & why -- all with a bit of wit & humor. Don't hesitate: Now that Adobe's outstanding photo editor has been updated 4 the Mac, dive in with Photoshop Elements 6 4 Mac: The Missing Manual right away.

Good news: Adobe's finally released the new Mac version of Elements. Bad news: It still doesn't come with a decent user's manual. But who cares? Author Barbara Brundage has revised her bestselling Elements book just 4 Apple fans. From gentle introduction 2 sophisticated tips, this book's your guide 2 getting the most out of Elements.

Author Barbara Brundage’s Top 10 Elements Tips
1. Always back up your photos as soon as you get them out of your camera. You can burn a CD or DVD right in the OS X finder (just drag your photos 2 the disc icon in a Finder window sidebar, then go 2 File>Burn Disc), or copy 2 an external hard drive, before you do any editing. Elements 6 also lets you burn discs from Bridge (File>Burn CD/DVD) . For really important photos (wedding & baby pix, 4 example), it's not a bad idea 2 burn a disc & keep that someplace else, like your safe deposit box or with a friend or relative. Then, no matter what happens, you won't have 2 worry about losing your photos.
2. Never, ever work on your original photo. Always make a copy (File>Duplicate) & work on that. If you use a program like iPhoto, Lightroom, or Aperture 2 organize your photos, those will save your original separately from your edited version 4 you.
3. Sharing photos. There are all kinds of fun, creative ways 2 share your photos in Elements 6, & Create Mode makes it super easy 2 explore them all. Try making a photobook or a fancy collage, or upload your photos 2 EasyShare or one of the other online services 2 create mugs, bags, & other cool gift items with your photos on them.
4. Don't scorn the auto buttons. If you've never tried these one-click fixes -- Auto Levels or Auto Color, 4 example -- give ‘em a try. Each version of Elements gets a little smarter & you may find that you like the results you get from one of these easy-to-use fixes.
5. Panoramas 4 everyone. You don't need 2 feel wistful anymore about the fact that your point & shoot camera's lens doesn't have a true wide-angle setting. Take a series of photos with, ideally, about a 30% overlap & Elements' Photomerge will automatically stitch them together into a panorama wider than you could have captured with the widest lens. (If you've tried Photomerge in previous editions of Elements, the Photomerge in Elements 6 is a whole new thing -- totally automated & it does terrific blending 2 eliminate visible seams between images.)
6. Batch processing with RAW. If you shoot RAW format photos, now you can apply the same settings 2 multiple pictures at once. Just open all the RAW files you want 2 work on, & then click 2 select each of their thumbnail-sized photos. Elements will then apply any edits you've made 2 the current photo 2 all the pictures you've just selected.
7. Crop creatively. Unless you plan 2 print on standard photo paper, don't feel compelled 2 crop your photos 2 standard photo paper sizes & shapes. Use cropping 2 emphasize the best parts of your photo if you plan 2 use the image 4 the Web or 2 print at home.
8. Take credit, quickly. You can put copyright info on your photos by using the Watermark feature in the Process Multiple Files dialog box (File->Process Multiple Files), or you can create a custom brush: just type what you want (the copyright symbol is Alt+0169 in Windows, Option+G on a Mac), then select your type & go 2 Edit-Define Brush. Save your brush & from now on you've got a one-click copyright notice.
9. Black & white are beautiful. The Convert 2 Black & White feature in Elements does a great job, especially if you use the sliders 2 tweak your adjustments, but you can create even more dramatic black & white photos by using the Dodge & Burn tools 2 selectively enhance contrast after converting.
10. The very best way 2 learn Elements is 2 dive right in. Open a photo & try all sorts of different things. Nobody, even great Photoshop gurus, knows exactly what will happen 2 any given photo when you combine different filters & effects. Experiment, & you'll quickly see why Elements is so addicting. You can do all sorts of amazing things you never knew you could!