With Photoshop Elements 6, the most popular photo-editing program on Earth just keeps getting better. It's perfect for scrapbooking, email-ready slideshows, Web galleries, you name it. But knowing what to do and when is tricky. That's why our Missing Manual is the bestselling book on the topic. This fully revised guide explains not only how the tools and commands work, but when to use them.

Photoshop Elements 6 is packed with new features. You get a new Quick Edit function, Windows Vista compatibility, improved RAW conversion, a handy Quick Selection Tool, and more. In fact, there's so much to the latest version that it can be quite confusing at times. Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual carefully explains every feature the program has to offer by putting each one into a clear, easy-to-understand context --something no other book does!

• Learn to import, organize, and fix photos quickly and easily.
• Repair and restore old and damaged photos, and retouch any image.
• Jazz up your pictures with dozens of filters, frames, and special effects.
• Learn which tools the pros use -- you'll finally understand how layers work!
• Create collages and photo layout pages for greeting cards and other projects.
• Get downloadable practice images and try new tricks right away.

This guide progresses from simple to complex features, but if you're ready for the more sophisticated tools, you can easily jump around to learn specific techniques. As always, author Barbara Brundage lets you know which Elements features work well, which don't, and why -- all with a bit of wit and good humor.

Don't hesitate. Dive into Adobe's outstanding photo editor with Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual right away.

Rating:

Re: very frustrating and disappointing,  February 21 2008
Submitted by Barbara Brundage   [Respond | View]

Hello, drbuckles. I'm sorry you're frustrated with Elements and with the book. As explained in Chapter 6 beginning on page 173, you don't need to "get photos onto layers"--that happens automatically. Pages 130-131 teach you how to change a background layer to a regular layer. Instructions for creating new layers from scratch also begin on page 131. The table tutorial on the book's Missing CD page (http://missingmanuals.com/cds/photoshope6tmm/) gives you some hands-on practice in moving layers between images.

Page 46 gives you the basics about transparency. Cutting an object out from its background is covered in Chapter 5,
beginning on page 133.

I hope that helps you find what you're looking for.

- Barbara Brundage


very frustrating and disappointing,  February 08 2008
Submitted by drbuckles   [Respond | View]

This books explains the features of Photoshop Elements 6 but does not lead you step by step through the process of using the program.

I am trying to figure out layers. First of all, as another reviewer pointed out, the book does not tell you how to get photos into layers or to manage layers once they are there (whichever photo I click on becomes the background?!) Also, she lets you know that you can isolate an image on a photo and then make the background transparent but she never takes you through the steps of making it transparent.

I read and reread the chapter on layers and never was able to figure it out. I was very frustrated and disappointed and regret the $40 I spent on this book. I have ten days left on my Photoshop 30 day trial period. So far, it's not looking good.


GREAT BOOK,  February 06 2008
Submitted by Andrew   [Respond | View]

I have found Barbara's books a necessary and sufficient condition for getting the best out of three successive editions of Elements. Keep at it, Barbara!


Minor changes would rate a 5,  January 30 2008
Submitted by sabfish   [Respond | View]

Overall, the book is excellent. However, I agree with the prior reviewer who commented that the book should have a picture of the icons with their name in the front of the book.


Thumbs down!,  January 21 2008
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

Like most computer instruction manuals, this one assumes the reader already knows something about the program.
For instance, the book deals at great length with layers: deleting them, duplicating them, manipulating them, changing them, etc., but it gives no hint about getting one's images into layers! Evidently the author feels that's so obvious that he needn't mention it.
This book confirms my opinion that one learns how to operate his computer programs by asking others, and trial and error.

Augenph


Photoshop Elements 6,  January 10 2008
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

This is one of the best Photoshop Elements books I have found. Be sure to browse throgh this one before rejecting it based on someone else's opinion.


Photoshop Elements 6,  January 09 2008
Submitted by Richard Dangler   [Respond | View]

This book has a serious deficiency. It needs several pages up front showing Icons=name so that it is easier to follow the book. To say, go to the Brush means nothing until you find the dumb thing -- and the search takes time. I bought the book so that I would not have to search for simple tools.

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