A guide to retouching photographs using Adobe Elements 4 covers such topics as correcting exposures, adjusting colors, and repairing photographs.
Photoshop Elements, Adobe's entry-level image editor (see Computer Media, LJ 4/1/05), has only gained in popularity, so libraries should expect demand for guides to the newest version. In a Snap (black and white with a color insert) is good for self-study, with step-by-step instructions and clearly labeled screen shots. Useful features include "Key Terms" highlighted and defined at first use (and indexed at the end) and helpful Before You Begin and See Also references prefacing each section. Extra online-only chapters cover blending pixels, improving portraits, and producing creative photographs. A logically arranged, straightforward beginner's guide for all libraries. ÂVisual QuickStart Guide , also black and white with a color insert, is a concise, task-based, step-by-step reference for beginning to intermediate users, covering, for instance, how to interface basics and find photos. Appendixes list editor and organizer keyboard shortcuts. Appropriate for all libraries. Larger institutions will want to supplement with more advanced guides, since a short "Creative Techniques" chapter only begins to delve into the more interesting software capabilities.
Meanwhile, Teach Yourself VISUALLY targets beginners who enjoy lots of color, lots of pictures, and very little verbiage. Step-by-step instructions and labeled screen shots let readers try out techniques, while sidebar tips add bits of information. A nice purchase for all libraries; supplement with more thorough guides. Retouching Photos focuses on the titular task. Since many hobbyist photographers mainly use Elements for retouching, the book is a useful supplemental purchase owing to its coverage of common problems and needs, from sharpening photos to removing dust and scratches. Large-print, full-color labeled screen shots and images, along with clear step-by-step instructions, make this useful for beginners. For intermediate users, the full-color Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks employs two-page layouts for each step-by-step trick, which is rated by difficulty level and includes labeled screen shots and extra tips. The subject matter ranges from using the opacity setting for transparency effects to creating an animated GIF to setting organizer preferences. An appropriate supplemental purchase to more thorough guides. An Elements book with personality, Digital Photographers addresses intermediate to advanced users and focuses on working with Elements on digital photos. Those trying to save money will appreciate workarounds for features found in Photoshop but not in the cheaper Elements. All readers will appreciate tips on improving, retouching, and jazzing up their photos, as well as rule-of-thumb starting points for the majority of techniques. Most book photos are available online, and full-color photos and screen shots illustrate each step-by-step method. Recommended for medium and larger libraries.
[Page 113]. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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