Teach Yourself VISUALLY Photoshop Elements 10

I went to a local BN bookstore and compared five books and chose this one. Got it from Amazon for $10 less.This is by no means an "Inside-Out" type of software manual. It is, rather, sort of a manual in short hand. It is task oriented and loaded with screen shots. Each instruction from the author has a number with a corresponding number marked on a screen shot. So if you want to learn how to crop an image, for example, you can go to the index and look up "crop", and then go to the pages (104-105). You'll find four steps to crop your image with screen shots of the program buttons to click (numbered 1-4) as well as an example of a photo being cropped. To me, this is much quicker to learn than reading a statement such as "Locate the Crop Tool on the Editor Tool Selection Panel (see chaper 2 on Editing Tools) and select the tool by clicking on its icon."If you believe the best way to learn a new computer skill is to get your hands on the mouse and keyboard then I think this book can speed up your learning curve. You can use this book to become familiar with the progam, its logical design and organization, and the right buttons to push for a particular task. There are 17 chapters so it is not without details, it just has a lot more screen shots and a lot fewer words than most software manuals. Dyslexic folk like me appreciate that.

This is an excellent book. It clearly illustrates all the myriad of controls in Elements 10 and it deserves five stars for that alone. It does, however, have one weak area and a very important area at that. It really gives no indication of workflow through all the controls in order to optimize the image. There is a definite order in which to use the various adjustments to produce the best results. I used this book in conjunction with watching online videos to get a better grasp of a proper workflow. Some might say why not just use the videos to learn, but I found this book did a better job than the videos to teach the individual adjustments since your computer could have Elements open alongside the book. Switching back and forth between a video and Elements is really counterproductive.

I wanted just one thing - how to change the size of multiple images. I never found it. When I first learned Photohop basics years ago (copy, paste, fill, resize, link a 2-page image to form one complete picture) it was easy to do. Not too long ago I wanted to place an image on a page and fill the background with a single color. I couldn't do it. I had to ask an expert whom I happened to know, who then wrote me a HALF-PAGE of instructions JUST TO FILL A BACKGROUND. Whenever I venture to open Photoshop these days, it's like being in a foreign land. Only, it was a land I used to be familiar and comfortable with. But no longer. If I create and save one image, then come back later and open Photoshop again I have a thousand copies of the same image. I don't understand it. I don't want it. I didn't ask for it. So why is it there? It is an infuriating program that I ONLY, ONLY attempt to use when I can't find something else to do what I need doing. I recommend Photoshop only if you must use it to earn a living or if you like headaches, quagmire, and calling tech support to help remove your fist from the screen.

This is a great instructional book on using Photoshop Elements 10 functions. It is easy to follow--each function/task is described with step-by-step instructions along with corresponding screen shots showing the tool location. Additionally, it provides extra tips for the specific tasks. Although written for Microsoft users, it also provides the correlating step for Mac users. Though I am quite familiar with computer usage, I had never used Photoshop software. I purchased Photoshop Elements 10 before the Christmas holidays to make some unique collage picture posters for my grandson of his fall soccer. I had to jump between the PSE 10 tutorials and their online help desk anytime an issue came up. I wish I had purchased this book at the same time; it would have same me a lot of time. I can't imagine anyone finding this book difficult to follow if they are at all familiar with computers.

This is a really good instruction manual. It covers anything that I could think of doing with Elements 10, and is a great learning tool and reference manual, all in one volume. The only thing that I would add to it would be a section, perhaps at the beginning of the book, for impatient types like me who want to get going right away just to see how Elements 10 works. By just jumping into "Edit", then selecting "Guided", one can learn quite a bit about how the program works. I did that, then read the book cover-to-cover. Really happy with the book.

Haven't really started using the book for PS Elements but have used other "Teach Yourself Visually" books and have been very pleased with them.The photos of the actual screen help so much more than reading how to do something which can be very confusing. This book is especially easyfor people just learning the computer or are not experts at the computer. Gives step-by-step instructions which is great!Thank you

I am new to Elements and got frustrated trying to use the online tutorials. I tried another book before this one, but it used too much technical language for me. This book is easy to read and understand. Very good for beginners like myself who want to read instructions and put it to use at the same time; you can just read the section you need for what you want to do at that time, no need to read the entire book at once for it to be helpful. I have had Elements for a few months, but now I can actually use it with this book.

Had honestly been frustrated by the complexity of functions, icons and dialogue messages -- then someone encouraged me to purchase this book. It is great... allowed me to edit a photo (removing some wrinkles on my subject's image) in just a few minutes, taking me step by step (actually showing me how to do it).This is a terrific improvement on trying to figure things out by using the videos and help pages.I encourage you to try it and see for yourself just how easy it becomes to take (almost full) advantage out of this sophisticated software!

I updated to elements 10 and needed to get "instructions" on how to use it successfully. I have ended up buying three books on the subject this being the easiest to understand and use as required.The book is previewed with instructions on to use it, a table of chapters (and list of contents)Each chapter is previewed by a short description of what it is about, followed by a the "table of contents", you then choose your instructions. These are photographs of the Photoshop Element with a number of the instructions in use followed by how the instruction is applied. Each page includes a TIP which may be of use, but that it is up to individual.I would recommend that if you are into learning then go to Teach Yourself VISUALLY..... on the topic of your choice.

I bought this as I thought it would be a good introduction. Somehow it doesn't hit the mark with me - it does not offer enough information in a joined up way - maybe it assumes a level of understanding I do not have, altho it says it is designed for beginners.It would benefit from some projects - step by step instructions to acheive a given end product - this would help explain how the various processes can be linked together.It has not helped me to use Elements. So for example - even though I have read the chapter on Layers, I am still no further forwards as to how to use them....

Absolutely love this book. I didn't have a clue on Photoshop and spent a lot of time playing the 'trial and error' game. This book showed me how to do basic tasks in a quick way as well as teaching me some of the more advanced techniques. The instructions are clear and well supported by screenshots which give a fantastic visual aid. I would highly recommend the book on value, information and delivery time

This book is ideal for a beginner and will enable you to quickly get started with the program and explore many of it's functions.A nice balance of text to images allowing the reader to quickly see what effect the program has on the image without going deep into the theory.Very good value for money with over 350 pages of tutorial.

I bought my self Photshop 10 for Dummies but really wanted a book that would be a step by step guide as I was new to Photoshop. Dummies was not much help quite frankly, but this book has been a great help, I have also enjoyed doing the lessons. The book will also be great for reference. Love it.