Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi Gang,

I've created a new user account as I was unable to recall my previous username, e-mail used, or credentials to log in. That said, I had very few posts to my name anyway, and really only lurked.

I've been shooting with a Rebel XT since I purchased it several years ago and have finally realized the benefit of some light post processing to clean up lighting and such. However, I'm at a loss of how to acquire the right knowledge to decide what tweaking is required. Right now, I simply open up some of the adjustment filters in PSE, but am only working via trial and error, and am positive I'm not doing things in the most effective manner and am probably missing out on some of the key adjustments (and understanding of what they are) that I could be making to improve my images.

I'm looking for recommendations on classes, tutorials, books, meet ups, or anyone looking to teach me some tips on how to learn Photoshop (preferably Elements, as it is what I have) focused on photography. I've seen classes at Seneca, but they focus on the photoshop as a whole, and I'm not currently interested in working with text and other such features.

I'm positive there's probably posts available on the forum, but my searching did not turn up anything of interest. That said, please share links to related posts, that would help as well!

Andrew

There's a wealth of information out there, search for "premiere elements" specific forums, tutorials etc.
That being said, there must be a book or two devoted to your elements version (7,8,9 etc) amazon.ca or amazon be a good starting point.

YouTube for sure has lots of dedicated videos to explain the various things that you can achieve during editing in PE.

My suggestion for you is also to start comparing the functionality of PE vs Photoshop lightroom as the later seems to focus more on the aesthetics of your images and conveniently helps you edit digital files in a non-destructive manner.

some links may help you:
http://tv.adobe.com/product/photoshop-elements/
http://photoshopelements.net/
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Adobe+Photoshop+Elements&x=0&y=0

hope that helps

Thanks Gerardo,

Some of what I've had trouble with finding is understanding when i would use "Levels" vs. "Saturation", etc.

I'm looking at Aperture as well, as a tool (not looking to start a "Lightroom vs Aperture" debate, I know I can find that elsewhere on the forum), so perhaps you're right and I should look towards learning that tool instead of PSE (first, anyway).

Thanks,

Andrew

levels and saturation are two very different tools - each very useful given the right circumstance.

Apologies for my poor example. What I was trying to convey was that while I understand that there are numerous tools in PSE (and similar products), I don't necessarily know when the right time is to use one or the other. For example, if my picture appears somewhat 'dull', I'm not sure which of the many tools I should use. I know that experience will teach me which ones I like to use better, and it'll be specific to the photograph, but that's the sort of knowledge I'm looking to gather.

Andrew

no such thing


no other way