What book would you recommend for someone who is computer literate, but new to Elements and editing digital images? Amazon ranks Kelby, Aaland, and Lynch in that order by bestselling. Thanks.
I have all three of those, plus one more by Katrin Eismann for working with old photographs. The Kelby book is the newest, and it has some excellent things in it. Aaland is still one of my favorites, although I never bought the update for Elements version 2. Lynch is more advanced, but it definitely covers things not addressed by either Aaland or Kelby, plus the CD includes some additional tools that are extremely useful. You wouldn’t go "wrong" with any of them, but if you’re only going to get one, I think I’d recommend Kelby. My personal opinion, of course.
I would also suggest taking advantage of the hundreds of tutorials available on the internet. A search with Google will swamp you will hits. Many of those written for full Photoshop are also applicable to PSE. A great site to peruse is Jay Arraich’s.
I own the Lynch book and highly recommend it. I’ve read Aaland and found it useful, too. It all depends.
When I started out with Elements it was my first exposure a reasonably powerful editing program. I wasn’t as interested in the HOW to do things so much as the WHAT to do. The easy "How-to" books just didn’t address the issue of "what to do to improve your image quality". In addition, I am not a graphics designer and soon discovered that graphics and design is a whole discipline unto itself. I started out reading some basic material on design concepts and general (digital) imaging. This includes some of the many excellent photography books that are available, too. Then I tried to apply that knowledge within the tool set offered by PE. Finally, I turned to PE specific materials to assist me.
It’s easy to apply a jillion filters and finally come up with something that’s interesting. It’s a whole different thing to picture the expected outcome and then work toward transferring that mind image to something on your screen. Kind of reminds of chimpanzees randomly banging a keyboard until finally a coherent verse of Shakespeare appears.
I have both M Aaland’s book and Richard Lynch’s book. They are both good in their different ways but if I had to have only one it would be Richards. That one gives you so much more for the long term although you need a reasonable knowledge of PSE before you start on it.
As others have said I would start off with the manual and try a few tutorials before deciding on a book to buy. I actually borrowed a few books from our local library in the early days and that worked out well.
Kirk, I have these 3 books. The manual that comes with the program is terse and useful for reference; it is not an "exercise" manual. The Aaland book really takes you through doing things with Elements step by step, and it is fun to work with the tutorials. I went through the book chapter by chapter, took notes as I tried out the exercises on the computer, and to this day refer to it not infrequently. For amplification on specifics I refer to the manual that came with the program. The Kelby book is my most recent acquisition and is a gem, but it assumes that one has some familiarity with Elements, and that can be garnered from the Aaland book. Lynch’s book is quite sophisticated and his add-ons, especially curves, justify the investment. Ken
Kirk: I’m a relative newbie to Elements and only a casual user.To the very good suggestions you’ve already gotten,I would add "50 Fast Digital Photo Techniques" by Gregory Georges. It covers a lot of ground,and I’ve found it to be the most fun of any of the aforementioned.If you come to this forum often you’ll note that the regulars add this caveat to thier book suggestions —Play with the program as much as possible.I’ve found this to be the best advice of all.Even the booboos can be a learning experience.Good luck. Lou
I just got Richard Lynch’s (for Elements 2) book from the library. I couldn’t find Aalands or Kelby’s book, but I had my 3 year old with me so I couldn’t search thoroughly. I would check out your local library and see if you can find them there before buying. I also got Lisa Lee’s book for Elements 1, but I figured I could apply most of it to Elemetns 2. So far I’ve found Lee’s book very basic and Lynch’s book pretty advanced.
What I’m really looking for is when to do what and how to do it. (Also, I really want to learn how to do accurate selections of complex objects.) The color stuff in Lynch’s book is pretty advanced, and about 3 inches over my head, but the step-by-step instructions seem pretty accurate so far. I may just have to get out the dictionary to understand the difference between Tone, Hue, Saturation and Color 🙂 Lynch’s book does seem to be well written, even if it is hard stuff.
have Photoshop Elements 2 Solutions by Aaland. It is very good instruction for learning how to use various tools. Highly recommend. It also has a CD with practice images which I really like.
I now have a collection of PE books that together cost me more than the software! 🙂
I bought a beginner’s book entitled, Create!, "The No Nonsense Guide to Photoshop Elements 2" by Sismic & Bodenmiller and I would recommend it to any beginner. It not only covers the basics, but it also gives you a taste of painting from scratch in PE2. It assumes you know nothing. Many of the exercises make use of the stock photos that are on the Elements CD.
I also have Georges’ and Aaland’s book, and just today got Hidden Elements in the mail. There’s something I like in all of them and considering the potential of this software, worth every penny!
What I would reeeeeally like is a book that leans more towards the artistic uses of Elements. Stuff like what is in the last chapters of Georges’ book. I know how to draw and may even know what I *want* to do, but how do I make Elements do it? I think the secret is playing and experimenting…and using those Blending modes, but I need a visual to get me going. If I could see what a tool or effect can do then I could take it from there. 🙂
I second what Beth said. I have two of Kelby’s book and they are my favorites. They’re organized in "recipes", and Kelby’s explain what he’s doing along the way. Fantastic learning experience!
Each and every book that I have purchased(yes, the used section of Amazon is great) have had their own unique way of teaching, or showing me PSE. I find it difficult to read them all through, so I use them for reference. I look up what I am needing to do, and then read on from there. Then when I have time, that is not too often around here with grandkids, I will try to scan one of the books through, and mark with tabs what I would love to return to. I call this information overload, but it sure is fun. Every time I open one of these great books, I run to the computer to try something. So I guess what I am trying to say, is all the books have their value and individuality for your PSE work. If you find one that you don’t use much any more, give it to your local school or library. Jane
I’ve been using Laurie Ulrich’s "Restoring & Retouching with Photoshop Elements."
I was a little shocked to discover how many PE & PE2 books there are, but this one covered what I bought PE2 for — retouching my family’s heritage photos. I may buy the new Scott Kelby book, as much for his wit as his tips.
BTW — if you have 1960s and 1970s pictures (especially on Poloroid and Kodak paper) that are visibly fading rapidly, scan them NOW. Photo preservationists estimate they will fade past saving in less than 5 years, ten at most, EVEN IF THEY ARE STORED IN ARCHIVAL ALBUMS (and most weren’t — many are still living in those horrible acidy "magnetic" albums that are rotting and staining them brown as fast as they fade).
Although few, if any, mention the "Visually" book on Elements, for beginners llike me it is great. The book, like all the "Visually" books, is teaching through images. Since that is how I learn best, one image is worth 10,000 words, it helped me a great deal.
Your #19 brought a chuckle. I got so many tabs on the top, side and bottom edges of my PSE books they all look like porcupines. And I cannot find anything in a hurry. Maybe I need an index to my tabs! :}
Hi Shan, Yes, my computer magazines, my PSE books, and all my other hobbies, and just about everything in this messy little ‘office’ is full of neat stuff to go back to and read, try, look at again, and so forth!
It is a wonder that I get anything done.
But I do love to cook,,,, and I manage to do that. But it is sure fun! So glad I’m retired and took up photography and PSE. When my husband fully retires, we will get back to travelling. Jane
Has anyone read Rick Sammon’s new book on Digital Photography? I have it on order but it’s expensive and I’d love a review of it before I purchase it. Thanks
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