Adobe Photoshop Elements 14: A Guide for Beginner s

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2 Adobe Photoshop Elements 14: A Guide for Beginner s Copyright All are rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Introduction Adobe Photoshop Elements is referred to as a junior version of the professional Adobe Photoshop. Both developed by the Adobe Systems. First released with the Photoshop version 6, the Elements software is designed to offer amateur designers and everyday users the ability to edit, organize, create and share. Since its launch, Photoshop Elements has introduced a number version; each with notable improvements over the earlier versions. The latest model, Photoshop Elements 14 released in late 2015, has received rave reviews for maintaining this trend. Among the notable features of this new application are the updated organizer; which includes a more precise facial recognition, enhanced photo analysis and effects options, editing tutorials ideal for the novice designer, a new Refine Selection brush and new oneclick tools which include Haze Removal and Shake Reduction. The Elements 14 also boasts a new Fine Detail Selection option and the ability to apply custom looks and effects to the photos; facilitating creative personalization. The purpose of this article is to offer users of this new creative application details on the primary features included in the programme. The piece will also seek to generally widen the knowledge base that surrounds the concept and use of Photoshop Elements 14. It is hoped that at the end of the article, there will be an increase the ability of photo and design enthusiasts to enjoy using and working with Photoshop Elements OS Language Versions For Mac operated devices, Photoshop Elements 14 is currently available in only four languages. These languages are Japanese, German, French and English. 2. System Requirements- Mac For users with a Mac OS, there are certain system requirements to be met to have Photoshop Elements 14 operated efficiently. The device must have at least two GB of RAM with at least five GB of available hard-disk space and a DVD-ROM to facilitate smooth installation. The devices will also need to have a sixty-four-bit multi-core Intel processor, Mac OS X versions or 10.9, the QuickTime

3 (version 7) software, a reliable internet connection and display resolution of a minimum 1024 x Available Windows language Versions Windows-powered devices are able to access and utilize the Photoshop Elements 14 application from more language option than Mac devices. The available languages from which Windows users can select include; Polish, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, French, English, Italian, Japanese, German, Dutch and Czech. 4. System Requirements- Windows Users with Windows-powered devices are required to meet certain system requirements if Photoshop Elements 14 is to operate efficiently. The device must have at least two GB of RAM with at least five GB of available hard-disk space and a DVD-ROM to facilitate smooth installation. The smart devices or computers should also have outfitted with a QuickTime (version 7) software, display driver compatible with Microsoft DirectX versions 9 or 10 and display resolution of 1024 x 768. There must be a reliable internet connection to complete the download of the requisite content, 1.6 GHZ processor and the Windows 7, 8 or 10 versions. 5. Installing Photoshop Elements 14 To use the application, the software must be installed directly to the device. Users are reminded that the application will not run from the supplied DVD. When the DVD is inserted into the DVD-ROM of the computer, follow the on-screen instructions then tap on Install to complete the process. 6. Photoshop Elements Work-Area The work area for the application consists primarily of six components. These components include the Menu bar, the Shortcuts bar, the Options bar, the Palette well, the Toolbox and the Palettes. 7. Importing Images from a Camera To copy still shots from a digital camera to be used in Photoshop Elements 14, first connect the camera and the computer. From the displayed dialogue box, select Import and choose the name of the digital camera from the submenu on screen. When the link between the devices is complete, choose the desired photos and transfer. Be sure to save then as a Photoshop Elements file.

4 8. No More Camera Shake Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 will be the best friend of the person who loves to take selfies. This is so, as in just one click the user can remove the presence of camera shake in the image that resulted from the unsteady hands during the capturing of self portraits/ selfie shots. 9. No Haze This is another great feature that is offered in this amazing programme. The fact that you can improve a picture is something that is appreciated by users. This feature can easily remove any haze that exists in the picture to make the background as clear as the foreground. This is an awesome feature for working with landscape shots. 10. Guides Take heart as there is guidance at every step in the use of this software. You will always reach the desired effect by using the guided edits. This is a new option that allows the user to add a feeling of motion to the captures and they are able to adjust the size of the picture to fit into a certain frame. 11. Fine Details In previous versions of this and photo editing software, it used to be a challenge to select fine details such as hair or pet fur. This is no longer a challenge as the user has tools that allow them to paint loosely over the selected area and the software can handle the rest. 12. Selecting People The software now has an enhanced find by people function which now makes this a much easier task. It can find persons in the photos and can organize the photos and stack them by person when they are being imported. This makes it very easy to find specific photos of persons at a later time. 13. Find Places There is also a feature that is linked to the places in the photos. The user can view photos or videos. This is located on a map of where each item in the total content was captured. This can be an exciting way to relive the journey. 14. Finding by Events The feature of finding by events can be used by the user to make the organization of photos easier. They can be organized based on the events that are captured such as parties, weddings, vacations, first day of school etc. 15. Custom Looks The Adobe Photoshop Element 14 software can be used to add a number of custom

5 looks and designs to any photo. The software can analyze the different elements of the photo such as the color, the subject and the lighting. It can combine effects that it can work perfectly. 16. Quick Edits A powerful feature of any photo editing software must be the ability to do quick editing. This has been made easier in this software and allows the user a friendly interface to access the Quick Edit Mode. 17. Combine Photos The user can easily combine many photos and make one final picture if they desire. They also have options such as adjusting the exposure, removing extra elements and creating a group shot and panoramic pictures as desired. This approach utilizes the amazing Photo-merge technology. 18. Mixing things up The user of the software can do crazy edits such as mixing the elements of a photo to create an entirely new scene. This is essentially called photo remixes or mashups that are facilitated by the Photo-merge composes. Options such as pulling something from a photo, adding something to another, adjusting the color or editing the lighting can all be easily done. 19. Group Shots Achieve perfect group shots by being able to edit unwanted things in a shot. Things such as a frown or a blink can be edited and not cause a problem in your shots. Using the Photomerge Group Shot feature, it can be used to combine faces and bodies form different pictures to give perfect output. 20. Panorama Blends Using the software allows the user to go panoramic and experience everything in its entirety. This is through using the Photo-merge Panorama blends feature which fills in the jagged edges and stitches together multiple horizontal or vertical photos. This combination will result in an awesome panoramic picture. 21. Color Management Users can create a color-controlled design. To utilize this feature, open a file and select Edit from the options above. The user should the select Color Settings followed by the desired color management option and the OK button to confirm the selection. 22. Magical Features Many times in photos, there may be elements that require adjusting to aid in the creation of the perfect capture. The Photoshop Elements 14 software allows the user to move things around magically and the background will fill in to create the

6 perfect mixture. 23. Cropping Cropping is a great feature of photo software that allows the user to make certain tweaks that will make great photo compositions. The perfect composition will be the photo that the user is satisfied with. In the software, it will suggest four cropping options in which the user can choose the one that suits them best. 24. No more flaws Usually there may be flaws in a photo and it may not come out as perfect as you desire. However, you can now say bye to flawed photos and make unwanted things in the picture disappear with the stroke of a brush. Amazing things such as whitening teeth or making the sky more vibrant are things that can be done. 25. Flair Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 allows the user to add their style and artistry by using filters. This will add a wow factor to the photos if the user desires. There are many filters that can be tried which can create comic effects, painting effects, rich textures or distortions. 26. Tilted Photos Some times when a photo is captured, it may come out somewhat tilted and this may take away from the image. However, this is not a problem as the software can fix it fast. The photos can be straightened and the edges will fill in automatically. 27. Using Filters This feature of Photoshop Elements 14 is designed to allow users to introduce special mosaic, lighting and distortion effects into their images. The users are also provided with a Custom filter option that allows users to design and create effects of their own. Users should bear on mind that when introducing filters to images in Elements 14, it should be to the visible/active layer. They should also note that they cannot be applied to color-indexed photos and that the last filter introduced will be displayed to the top of the Filter menu. 28. Filters Palette This feature is designed to allow the user to peruse and choose from the available filter effects in the application. To view the Filter palette, open the workspace and tap on Window followed by Show Filters Browser. 29. Applying a Filter Filters can be applied to specified areas on a layer or o the entire layer. To apply to the entire layer, leave the layer unmarked. To apply to a portion of the layer, choose

7 the area on the layer to which the filter is to be applied. The user should then go to the Filters palette and choose the desired filter. The filter should be tapped twice and the Apply option selected. 30. Textured Filters The Photoshop Elements 14 comes with textured filter effects for users. Some of these options, which include Rough Pastels, Texturizer and Conte Crayon, are designed to allow the images used to appear as if drawn onto canvas. Other controls include Glass; which gives the illusion that the created image is been viewed through a set of historic glass blocks. 31. Applying the Textured Filter To introduce a textured filter into the design, select the desired texture and pull the Scaling slider across the surface to minimize or enlarge the effect as desired. The user should then tap on Invert to repeal dark colors and surface light, then specify the direction desired for the light source before pressing OK. 32. Beautiful layering Layering is an awesome feature that Photoshop Elements 14 handles really well. You can do things like typing on the photo and edit and tweak this at any time. There are many choices open to the user when adding text to a photo and a certain level of sophistication. 33. Layers Palette This feature of Photoshop Elements 14 will appear to the right of the screen and work area when the app is opened. The Palette can be relocated to anywhere on the screen, placed in the Palette we or hidden until ready for use. 34. Displaying the Layer Palette To display the full Layers Platte into the workspace, go to Windows and select the option to Show Layers. 35. Using the Layers Palette Menu This feature of the Photoshop Elements 14 is designed to hold the various options and commands for use when working with layers in the design. To use the palette menu, go to the top right side of the palette and tap on the right facing triangle. The user should then peruse the available options and select the option or command desired.

8 36. Creating a Layered Image To create a layer for your design, first enter the workspace and tap on the option Layer followed by New and Layer. The layer s palette menu should then be used to peruse the options and the New Layer selected and OK tapped to confirm. 37. Duplicating Layers The Elements 14 application allows the user to reproduce any of the current layers within the design. To create a replicated layer, go to the Layers palette and tap on the desired layer. The user should then select the option Layer followed by Duplicate Layer, rename the replicated layer and tap on the OK button. 38. Turning a Layer into a Background Background images for the designs can be selected from ay of the current layers in the piece. To convert one of the created layers into the background image, go to the Layers Palette and select the layer to be converted. The user should then select Layer and New followed by Background from Layer. 39. Organization For a photo collector, nothing beats having an index to be able to sort and organize the photos efficiently. Using the software, the user can keep everything in order by tracking people, events or places. 40. Stand out on social media In this new world, almost everyone is posting pictures to Facebook and other social media platforms. It is useful to be able to stand out on your profile by having many cool pictures and blending the profile in a number of different ways. 41. Slideshows Use Photoshop Elements 14 to create amazing slide shows that will not be the usual ones that users can expect to see. The story of the user can be explained through pictures. Take and out and add to the space as necessary. 42. Printed Keepsakes The photos can be organized as such to give the user control over snapshots of different times. These photos can be used in greeting cards, collages or calendars. Open the imagination and be able to try different and new things. 43. Viewing the Print Size Prior to printing the design, users are able to review the size/dimensions right on-

9 screen. To review the print-size of the design before printing, go to View and tap on the option to View Size. The hand/zoom tool that appears is to be used to enter the Options bar and tap on Print Size. 44. Compatible Compression Formats When preparing a file to save, users in Photoshop Elements 14 have a few compression formats that are compatible. These formats are JPEG, ZIP, CCITT, RLE and LZW. 45. Saving Changes to Current File While actively working on a design, users are able to save the work completed up to that point. To save the current file, go to the top left of the screen and tap on File followed by the option to Save As. The user should then enter the desired file name and desired location and tap Save. 46. Saving to a Different File Format If the user wishes to change the format in which the design piece is to be saved, tap on File in the upper left of the screen and select the option to Save As. The format is to be selected from the Format pop-up menu that is displayed before entering the name of the file and the location to which it is to be saved. 47. Sharing Completed Images Photoshop Elements 14 allows users to share the completed pieces via a number of social networks. These social media sites include YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Vimeo. This means for some sharing with family and friends and for others displaying their creation for review and entry into the design market. 48. Designs for Discs Photoshop Elements 14 goes beyond helping with the creation of unique and personal images. It also allows users to use themes, texts or still shots to design labels or jackets for DVDs and CDS. This allows users to personalize gifts or add an additional level of professionalism to a marketing piece. 49. Calibrating the Monitor This process usually requires users to modify video settings; altering how the monitor reproduces the color. To initiate the process, power on the monitor for at least thirty minutes; this will allow sufficient time to become warm. The user should

10 then go to Program Files / Common Files / Adobe / Calibration folder. The onscreen instructions should be followed to complete the Calibration process. 50. Choosing a Modem Speed When the image is being optimized for use on the internet, users can select the desired modem speed. To do this, first go to the right of the optimized image and tap on the right facing triangle. This will display the Preview pop-up menu. The available modem speeds will be displayed on screen. The usual speed options include 14.4 Kbps, 28.8 Kbps, 56.6 Kbps and 128 Kbps.