Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (PSE)

  • Getting to Know the Layers Panel in PSE

    Getting to Know the Layers Panel in PSE

    Whether you are new to Photoshop Elements or have been using it for years, it’s always interesting to explore a bit and see the various menu options that are available. Today, let’s explore the Layers panel (or Layers palette). Keep in mind that in other versions of Photoshop Elements, the icons might be placed a […]

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  • Using the History Panel in Photoshop

    Using the History Panel in Photoshop

    One advantage of digital scrapbooking is having the ability to quickly fix mistakes and undo changes. While I often use Ctrl+Z for this, I use the history panel even more. If you aren’t familiar with the history panel, you can make it visible by choosing Window > History. The history panel saves the last 20 […]

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  • Repair a Photo with the Spot Healing Brush

    Repair a Photo with the Spot Healing Brush

    My dad was a photographer, so our entire family grew up in front of the camera. But before his kids came along, Dad had his camera during WWII and even before that. As we were growing up, we all watched Dad sort his slides with a light table as each slide was perfectly catalogued and […]

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  • Installing Patterns in PSE

    Installing Patterns in PSE

    I’m going to cover two methods for installing pattern files. The first method involves loading the file as opposed to installing it. The second method involves installing the pattern file.

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  • A Quick Way to Age a Photo

    A Quick Way to Age a Photo

    Ginny Whitcomb’s Family Ties Collection is rich with everything a scrapper needs for making memory pages. It provides charming designs, colors, and antique-looking elements — everything needed to finally make those family heritage pages we’ve been wanting to put together. However, while you are gathering and scanning those precious old family photos, you can enjoy Family […]

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  • Using Levels to Enhance Photos

    Using Levels to Enhance Photos

    As digital scrappers, we always want our photos to look their best. There are several edits you might be doing on a routine basis, such as cropping or removing red eye. After that, however, one of the easiest and quickest ways to correct problems and to enhance photos is by using Levels adjustments in Photoshop. […]

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  • Converting Photos to Sepia

    Converting Photos to Sepia

    Multiple photos mean multiple colors, backgrounds, variations in lighting, skin tones, etc. Add that mix to the colors you’ve chosen for your layout and things can get really busy, really fast. That’s when I turn to one of my favorite techniques — converting the photos to sepia. I call it The Great Equalizer.

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  • A Closer Look at Selection Tools in PSE: Magic Wand Tools

    A Closer Look at Selection Tools in PSE: Magic Wand Tools

    In this tutorial, we will be looking at some of my favorite Selection tools – the Magic Wand tools. These three handy selection tools are located directly below the Rectangular Marquee Tool on a default version of Photoshop Elements. The magic wand tool is located In the “Select” menu, and embedded under the Magic Wand […]

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  • A Closer Look at Selection Tools in PSE: The Marquee Tool

    A Closer Look at Selection Tools in PSE: The Marquee Tool

    In this tutorial we are going to look at the Marquee tool to discover what it does and when to use it. Let’s start by looking at where the Selection Tools are found. In PSE they are found under the heading ‘Select’ on the left hand side menu. My screenshot shows the Move Tool, the […]

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  • Learning to Love the Polygonal Lasso Tool – Part 1

    Learning to Love the Polygonal Lasso Tool – Part 1

    Of all the selection tools, I think the Polygonal Lasso Tool is my all-time favorite. I use the Rectangular Marquee Tool a lot, but when I want total control and precision, the Polygonal Lasso Tool (correct pronunciation: puh-LIG-ah-nahl) is my go-to guy. The Polygonal Lasso Tool works best when selecting things that have straight, angular […]

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