digital photography

Photoelements 2 is a powerful, complex program that is far from intuitive to use. Abode's manual lists the functions of the program but provides little advice as to when to use each function - and this is needed.

Mr. Wooldbridge's book attempts, generally successfully, to provide a simple overview of all the key functions in PE2. The book's main asset is, as the title implies, visual - with screenshots of the different steps. For a visual program a visual guide seems logical to me (I have found the lengthy prose-based books less useful).

The downside? Basic steps are covered, but not more complex, cumulative approaches (however, it can be argued that the book doesn't claim to do this). The photographs used to illustrate each lesson are truly awful - they are simple snapshots. Not one is a worthwhile photograph. This may or may not matter to you. The author illustrates, for example, how to change colors by changing a house's driveway into a hideous, garish color. (Arguably, this might be an asset - you might feel proud that many of your photographs are considerably better than those in used in your guidebook!) When looking for a guidebook, I hope to get exposed to worthwhile artistic photographs that will inspire some creativity. You won't find art here - but you will find the basic building blocks to PE2.

I started with the Users Guide that came with the software and couldn't make heads or tails of it- mostly verbal descriptions of visual processes. The "Teach Yourself Visually Photoshop Elements 2.0" made everything clear. It is a wonderful book and learning tool. After you read it (it's a smooth fast read) you can go back to the Users Guide (which is OK once you have a feel for the program) to pick up a few more details, or feel more comfortable with the on-line help or other, less visual, books.