Anyone still think that Adobe Photoshop Elements is a toy version of the real thing? As the most popular photo-editing program on the market, Photoshop Elements not only has Photoshop's marvelous powers, but also has capabilities the mothership lacks. Each new version includes more tools designed specifically for today's consumer digital photo enthusiasts. The latest edition, Photoshop Elements 5, solidifies the reputation of this superb and inexpensive product with new scrapbook features, a link to online photo services, and many other improvements.

In fact, there's so much to Photoshop Elements that it can be quite confusing at times. That's precisely why our Missing Manuals are the bestselling books on the topic. Adobe provides a pamphlet and some help files; our book, now in its fifth edition, carefully explains every feature the program has to offer (something no other book has done) by putting each one into a clear, easy-to-understand context. Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual covers the Windows version of Adobe's workhorse and gives you the low down on a host of new features:

• Learn to create multiple page documents, custom photo layouts with frames, and highly customized layouts for scrapbook projects

• Master the new editor for Layer Styles, which lets you customize individual layers in a photo

• "Attach" your photos to areas of a Yahoo! Map so your friends and family can see the pictures you took in specific places

Author Barbara Brundage also introduces you to a new sophisticated tool called "Curves" to adjust the color and contrast in your photos, and shows you how to burn multi-session CDs and DVDs. As always, she lets you know which features work well, which don't, and why -- all with a bit of wit and good humor. Although the book progresses from simple to complex tasks, you can easily jump around to learn specific techniques, such as creating photomontages (composites), restoring old photos, preparing images for the Web, and archiving. More than a dozen downloadable images let you practice using the editing tools right away!

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 93 Ratings

An Always Dependable Resource - 2009-07-01
Reviewer Rating:
I won't go over the same ground as other reviewers. Her books are among the best, always.
However, recently I have supplemented this information with the excellent video tutorials available at [...]. With over nine hours of video instruction on learning Photoshop Elements 5, it is, for my money, the best learning tool around.

I should have bought this sooner - 2009-06-27
Reviewer Rating:
I've struggled with Photoshop Elements 4 for several years, to the point of rarely using it. By accident I found out about the "Missing Manual" series. It has been a huge help. I'm finally getting the hang of the program. May even get the latest Elements version, which is on sale at Costco.

Book is extremely helpful - 2009-06-14
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a must for anyone with Photoshop Elements 5. You need to have all this additional info.

Unfortunate Must-Have Book - 2009-04-05
Reviewer Rating:
None of the Photoshop Elements programs come with instructions. Good luck figuring them out. Even the company's manual (which you have to buy separately) is poorly written. This manual is pretty comprehensive, and a must-have if you ever want to master the software. However, it is not as easy to use as the "The Photoshop Elements Book for Digital Photographers" by Kelby/Kloskski (which I highly recomend). Also, be aware that these "Missing Manuals" are all basically the same, whether you buy the version 5, 6 or 7 manual. If you have one, don't waste your money buying the next one. They are all almost identicle in content. So, for example, if you own Photoshop version 6, software, you may as well buy the version 7 Missing Manual. It completely explains the software, and simply adds some stuff on the version 7 program.

exceptional - 2008-08-05
Reviewer Rating:
i could never have mastered photoshop elements without it, very helpful and a simple read.

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