Photoshop Elements 2 Notes
Enhancing Photos
Changing Picture Dimensions and File Size
Image > Resize > Image Size
To change picture dimensions:
Make sure Resample Image is unchecked for printing purposes (all three fields should be linked together (length, width, resolution))
Enter a desired length or width (note that when you change one, the other changes proportionately)
Make sure resolution is >250 dpi if you want to print picture
To further change file size (downsizing a picture for the web to make it faster loading):
Place a check beside Resample Image box
Make resolution 72 dpi
Cropping (to eliminate unwanted areas in picture)
Technique #1 (don't care about actual dimensions of end product, just want to focus on subject)
Use select tool to surround area want to keep then use Image > Crop
Technique #2 (need to crop to specific dimensions ... e.g. 4x6 or 5x7 to make suitable for framing)
Alter numbers in Image>Resize>Image Size (with Resample Image unchecked) so that you're close to but bigger than both your desired end dimensions
Select Crop Tool
and enter desired dimensions (width and height) in options bar
Drag crop tool through picture to include only desired elements and adjust by pulling corners as needed
Hit Return/Enter
to crop
Check resolution in Image>Resize>Image Size window to make sure it's not too small if you plan to print and not too large if you plan to post on web
Add Text
Click Text tool
Select font, etc. in options bar
Click in picture and enter text
Click Arrow tool when complete
Drag text to its desired position
(Note new layer in layer palette ... can double=click layer to highlight text to change color, font, etc.)
Using History Palette
Drag Undo History palette so it's always visible. Click backwards in the list to undo operations.
Layer Styles
Click a layer containing text and experiment with some of the features under Layer Styles.
Filters and Effects
Click on the background layer (the photograph) and experiment with various Filters and Effects. If asked if OK to flatten layers, click OK only if you do not plan or need to further edit text layers. Flattening puts all layers in the same layer and makes text uneditable.
Adding Space Around Photograph (Increasing Canvas Size)
Check foreground/background colors. Background color will be color of canvas so adjust as necessary.
Image > Resize > Canvas Size
Enter dimensions of desired canvas and choose direction of space to be added (leave default to add space equally around photo)
Clone Brush
Click clone tool
Select brush size and consider whether a hard-edged or soft-edged brush is better suited. You may need to try both to see!
Put your brush on the area that is to be duplicated (the source.) Hold Option key and click mouse.
Put your brush on the area that is to be replaced (the target.) Drag brush to clone area.
Work in small areas. Remember that you can undo actions with the Undo History palette.
Option+click to change your source point as needed.
Fixing Bad Photos
Most of what we need to fix bad lighting and color issues can be found under the Enhance menu. Sometimes, it's good to simply try the Auto features and see if the results are suitable. If so, great. If not, experiment with other tools found here. Remember that the Undo feature is only a click away!
Levels
Helps adjust the level of detail shown in shadows, midtones, and highlights
Enhance>Adjust Brightness/Contrast > Levels
Shows a histogram of information ... dragging sliders left adds detail, dragging sliders right decreases detail ... left slider affects shadows, middle midtones, and right highlights
Color Variations
Helps reduce color casts, such as those created by fluorescent lighting
Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Variations
Determine if the color you need to increase or reduce is in the shadows, midtones, or highlights. Then, click to increase or reduce it. It's OK to click the button a couple times.
Color Casts
Another technique for reducing the yellow tint caused by fluorescent lighting
Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Cast
Try to find a true white or true black (or grey but that's harder to locate) and touch the eyedropper to one or both of these areas that should be true black or white.
Click Reset if you don't like the results and keep trying!
Hue/Saturation
Helps adjust colors that seem too strong/weak or whose shades are a bit off
Enhance > Adjust Color > Hue/Saturation
Pull the Master menu down to select the color you want to target (red, for instance, if faces seem redder than they should.)
Experiment with sliders to achieve desired effects
Unsharp Mask
Helps sharpen subtle detail in picture
Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask
Experiment with sliders for Amount but radius should be in the 1-2 range and Threshold should be in the 0-1 range, according to experts.
Fight the temptation to overdo this one!
The Dreaded Red-Eye
Click Zoom tool and zoom in on eyes
Click Redeye tool
Click Default colors on options bar
Select brush size
Click on red areas
Selections
Experiment with the Magnetic Selection tool ... drag around object and double-click when you get back to the beginning
You can Edit>Copy selection or use Select > Inverse then hit Delete key to remove background
Apple+D gets rid of dancing ants
Option+(selection tool) deletes from selection
Shift+(selection tool) adds to selection