Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (PSE)

  • Learning to Love the Polygonal Lasso Tool – Part 2

    Learning to Love the Polygonal Lasso Tool – Part 2

    Are you ready for some Polygonal Lasso Tool creativity? We’ll start by making some confetti. Open some colorful background paper from a digital scrapbooking kit or collection. I’m using papers from the fabulous Falling For You Collection Biggie by Angie Briggs. Choose the papers you want to use and open the first one, then drag all the […]

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  • Guided Edits in Photoshop Elements

    Guided Edits in Photoshop Elements

    Whether you are just learning Photoshop Elements or you are already comfortable and familiar with its editing capabilities, one option is well worth exploring. That option is Guided Edits. You will find the Guided Edit tab at the top of the Editor window between Quick and Expert. Just click on the tab to move your […]

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  • Creating Drop Shadows in Photoshop

    Creating Drop Shadows in Photoshop

    Have you ever seen digital scrapbooking layouts that make you want to reach out and touch the elements on the page? Well, the secret behind those unbelievably realistic layouts are drop shadows. The best way to approach this technique is to think about which page elements would have shadows if your layout was created with […]

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  • Putting a Shadow on Its Own Layer

    Putting a Shadow on Its Own Layer

    By creating a shadow for your embellishment layers, your embellishments look more three dimensional and add depth and realism to your layout. One trick to mastering your shadows is to place your shadow on its own layer.

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  • Using Layer Masks

    Using Layer Masks

    Have you ever looked at a digital scrapbook layout with lots of interwoven layers and embellishments and wondered how it was done? Chances are good that layer masks were used. A layer mask is a non-destructive tool you can use to control the transparency of parts of your layer, unlike the opacity sliders which control […]

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  • Using Layer Alignment Tools in Photoshop Elements

    Using Layer Alignment Tools in Photoshop Elements

    When creating your layouts, do you sometimes have elements such as embellishments or alphas that you just can’t seem to line up so they look nice and neat and on the page? Maybe you want to have a row of flowers or a column of stars that you want to create a border with, and […]

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  • Adjusting Layer Opacity In Photoshop

    Adjusting Layer Opacity In Photoshop

    Changing the opacity of different layers is an easy way to enhance your digital scrapbook pages. Adjusting layer opacity allows you to easily blend papers and photos. You can also use it to lessen the effects of blending modes and actions. In this tutorial, you will learn how to change a layer’s opacity in Photoshop. […]

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  • Adding A Stroke in PSE

    Adding A Stroke in PSE

    A stroke is an outline or border that can be added to photos, papers, text, and embellishments. It can act as a frame or mat on any item you choose. Strokes are super versatile as you can adjust the color and width, plus you can also add styles to strokes, thereby changing their look completely. […]

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  • Using Gradients to Color Papers, Embellishments & Photos

    Using Gradients to Color Papers, Embellishments & Photos

    Gradients are an often overlooked but easy-to-use tool. They are perfect for adding multiple colors to a photo, embellishment, paper, or just about anything! I’m going to show you how to add a gradient to a paper template, a seashell embellishment template, and a photo.

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  • Gradient Map Magic

    Gradient Map Magic

    I love black-and-white photos for many reasons. Sometimes, a little less color helps to capture the mood of the moment better. Plus, some full color pictures are full of distractions. Removing the color helps us to focus on the expressions on the faces, the lines in the photo, etc. In this tutorial we’ll explore how […]

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