I so need to get into doing more videos and am VERY frustrated at not having done any for so long.

In the next few weeks hopefully!!!!!

Simon

By the way I have already used with great success your lesson on layer masks. I produced a couple of composite photos of people taken out of busy and unattractive backgrounds and now appearing surrounded by flowers and greenery. I was amazed at the enthusiastic response I received from the people involved. Thank you – and looking forward to any new future articles or tutorials.

Al

I work in both CS4 and Elements, as you probably realise. Personally I prefer CS4 for most things simply as I am familiar with it and thus do not find it intimidating (any longer). In fact, I learned in Photoshop (5 or 6 I think it was) and only got into Elements later.

If I was starting from scratch now, yet with the benefit of hindsight, I would now learn in Elements and only progress up to Photoshop once I was at ease with that. The budget constraints are indeed important and I feel you are taking the right path with getting your lenses in order first.

The jump from Elements to Photoshop is really pretty seamless. You will probably start using Photoshop exactly the same way you had been using Elements. As you then explore further you’ll simply find better ways of doing things, or that you can do new things you were simply not able to before.

As far as “unlearning” goes ….. I wouldn’t worry at all. All your learning will still be valid, you’ll just continue to grow and learn more.

I actually believe you will learn faster with the approach you have adopted ,,,, as yes, CS4 can be a little overwhelming.

Hope that helps.

Simon

I see myself investing a fair amount of time learning Elements, but I do expect (or rather hope?) to move to CS4 at some point (for now my photography budget is being spent on lenses etc. for my 6-month-old DSLR. Also CS4 is still, to me, intimidating.)

My question is:
How different are the basic operations in both, e.g. handling layers? You have indicated in the Separation articles that the basic operations are more or less universal. But how much will I have to UN-LEARN if and when I “move up” from Elements (PE5) to CS4?

I use CS3 myself, and love it. The reason I did the tutorials for PSE is there seems to be all sorts of expert advice for PS but far less for PSE. I didn’t go the PS path simply as there was more of it already out there.

I would love to do PS tutorials as well, but am having real trouble even finding the time to do these. I’d also love to do a book with a DVD … but no time.

I admit, I wish I could do this stuff full time rather than as a weekend hobby.

Simon

Seriously though, if I get organised enough to do myself a plan I’ll put it up here for sure.

Simon

I’ve not used the Kodak s/w but have used similar. I have yet to find one of those “freebies” that come with the cameras th comes close to something like PSE (though I have come across older versions of PSE bundled with a camera.

How I can help you with the transition.

Simon

Congrats on the birth of your child! A lot of photo opps to be had there!!

Really glad you are finding the videos of use. I hope to be producing a heap more over the coming weeks, once life settles down a little from having our new baby.

Layers is going to be attacked next due to absolutely overwhelming demand … by you both

I’ll split layers over 2 or 3 videos, I’ve just got to work out the best approach the cover the basics and then build from there.

Simon

PS . I like Beth have trouble using Layers.

I know what you mean. Layers are, I believe at least, about the most powerful thing going for photo editing. They can take a little to get your head around, but they are the sort of thing that suddenly goes CLICK! and makes sense.

I did have tutorials on layers planned for a little later down the track, but I’ll bump them up the list for you and start to attack them probably the tutorial after the cropping as I am mid doing that one already.

You’ll love Elements I am sure. Be warned though, as you get more familiar with it, and start to do really fun things with your photos, it can become really addictive!

I intend to start producing the video tutorials in the coming week. They won’t be all up at once though, they are something I will be adding as I do them.

If you have anything specific you’d like covered then let me know (either here as a comment or using the feedback form). I have a huge list of tutorials I’ll be doing but the order, in most cases, is unimportant so if there is something specific people want I’ll see if I can slot it in early.

Simon

I got Photoshop Elements last month which sounds like a good decision.

I have not got on very well with it as I have not had the time to learn it.

How long till u have the video tutorials up?