Photoshop Elements 6
By Robert Lachman
This week’s review: Photoshop Elements 6. I feel like it needs a little fanfare. The program has been updated from Elements 4. I’m not sure whatever happened to version 5 for the Mac. I guess when your a Mac user you can’t expect to get all the different versions. I am not sure why.
Elements has always been my recommended software for those who want to work with their photos and want take the next step up from the rudimentary controls in iPhoto. It continues to be the perfect step and the new version makes it even easier.
The first noticeable difference is the new dark gray interface with a thin orange racing stripe across the top with the updated looking controls.
With this version, Adobe really tried to makes the controls easy to use for the novice up to the advanced user using three buttons: Guided, Quick, and in the Pallet Bin.
The Guided mode gives the beginning user a step-by-step work through of cropping, rotating, sharpening, how to lighten or darken, and color correcting along with the advanced activities which include; touching up imperfections like dust spots or other blemishes.
I found that using the Guided method is clunky and limited and doesn’t let you use many of the needed tools. If you don’t want to learn the how to use some of the more advance tools and selections tool, effects, save some money and stick with iPhoto, which already includes simple tools and effects for most people.
The real reason to buy Elements 6 is for those who want to start learning to be a Photoshop power user without the high price of Photoshop CS3.
The second or Quick button also is gimmicky. It features a quick route to a bunch of sliders to control color and exposure but why bother? It’s not really a reason to invest in a new digital editing photography program.
The Full mode is were Elements 6 excels. It’s the real point of the program. You’re going to start using some of the Photoshop tools like the pros use.
Elements 6, which also includes the photo organizing software, Bridge CS3, is a great product and at the $90 price tag for both, it’s a bargain compared to the Photoshop CS3 which costs $650.
It’s missing features you would probably never need unless your doing high-end professional work. Not included are: CMYK color, no actions for automating your repetitive steps, the old school curves where you can actually click and drag on the curve line making very exact adjustments, or extract for making intricate selections.
OK, What’s new to the program besides the new gray interface and an orange racing strip? Elements has added “PhotomergeGroup” (check out Adobe tutorial at www.adobe.com which is a fun way of picking out the best faces from similar group shots in your photographs at the same location.
You can get the best of everyone in one photo. So remember, when you shoot those group shots, take two or three, then mix and match the best expressions and you will have a nice picture with everyone’s eyes open.
Also new is, “PhotoMergeFaces” which is used for doing your own cosmetic surgery trying out other peoples eyes, noses and mouths. This tool is a lot of fun to play with. Once you start, it’s tough to stop. I makes it so easy to align stuff up and experiment.
The “PhotomergePanorama” is used for making those super wide angle photos which was included in the early version.
Also added is a quirky curves tool called “Adjust Color Curves,” a curves tool where you can see the curve but can’t actually click on it. You use slider or preset choices to change the points on the curve. They try to make it easier for the beginner giving little explanations of what you are doing.
Other little changes have been made like moving unsharp mask, adjust sharpen and convert to black-and-white to the enhance menu. Also added Create button for projects which include: books, website, CD/DVD covers, collages and ordering prints. If you are making books stick with iPhoto or Blurb, making CD/DVD covers try Disc Cover. These features are weak add-ons and should be left to programs which do them very well.
After working with the programs, it was tough to get excited over any of the updated features unless you get excited over tools palette being in color instead of black-and-white.
My old copy of Photoshop Elements 4 seems to work fine with Leopard and it might be tough to recommend to update. The new version 6 is faster and a little more streamlined.
For most who want to improve their photoshop skills, I would recommended a trip to the book store or checking out some of the free photoshop podcasts like: Photoshop for Digital Photographers or Understanding Abobe Photoshop which are both available for free at iTunes. There also are so many fine third party books on Photoshop Elements which really is the best way to improve your skills. I also recommended to check out the books at a local book stores and decide on one which seem the easiest for you to understand. Every author and publisher take on different approaches.
Photoshop Elements 6 is the complete package for most, especially when you consider it includes the Bridge CS3 for organizing your photographs. You can work with most types of photographs including RAW images. It is a great value at the price of $90. It should handle most needs for those moving up from iPhoto.
______________________________________________________________________
This week’s review: Photoshop Elements 6. I feel like it needs a little fanfare. The program has been updated from Elements 4. I’m not sure whatever happened to version 5 for the Mac. I guess when your a Mac user you can’t expect to get all the different versions. I am not sure why.
Elements has always been my recommended software for those who want to work with their photos and want take the next step up from the rudimentary controls in iPhoto. It continues to be the perfect step and the new version makes it even easier.
The first noticeable difference is the new dark gray interface with a thin orange racing stripe across the top with the updated looking controls.
With this version, Adobe really tried to makes the controls easy to use for the novice up to the advanced user using three buttons: Guided, Quick, and in the Pallet Bin.
The Guided mode gives the beginning user a step-by-step work through of cropping, rotating, sharpening, how to lighten or darken, and color correcting along with the advanced activities which include; touching up imperfections like dust spots or other blemishes.
I found that using the Guided method is clunky and limited and doesn’t let you use many of the needed tools. If you don’t want to learn the how to use some of the more advance tools and selections tool, effects, save some money and stick with iPhoto, which already includes simple tools and effects for most people.
The real reason to buy Elements 6 is for those who want to start learning to be a Photoshop power user without the high price of Photoshop CS3.
The second or Quick button also is gimmicky. It features a quick route to a bunch of sliders to control color and exposure but why bother? It’s not really a reason to invest in a new digital editing photography program.
The Full mode is were Elements 6 excels. It’s the real point of the program. You’re going to start using some of the Photoshop tools like the pros use.
Elements 6, which also includes the photo organizing software, Bridge CS3, is a great product and at the $90 price tag for both, it’s a bargain compared to the Photoshop CS3 which costs $650.
It’s missing features you would probably never need unless your doing high-end professional work. Not included are: CMYK color, no actions for automating your repetitive steps, the old school curves where you can actually click and drag on the curve line making very exact adjustments, or extract for making intricate selections.
OK, What’s new to the program besides the new gray interface and an orange racing strip? Elements has added “PhotomergeGroup” (check out Adobe tutorial at www.adobe.com which is a fun way of picking out the best faces from similar group shots in your photographs at the same location.
You can get the best of everyone in one photo. So remember, when you shoot those group shots, take two or three, then mix and match the best expressions and you will have a nice picture with everyone’s eyes open.
Also new is, “PhotoMergeFaces” which is used for doing your own cosmetic surgery trying out other peoples eyes, noses and mouths. This tool is a lot of fun to play with. Once you start, it’s tough to stop. I makes it so easy to align stuff up and experiment.
The “PhotomergePanorama” is used for making those super wide angle photos which was included in the early version.
Also added is a quirky curves tool called “Adjust Color Curves,” a curves tool where you can see the curve but can’t actually click on it. You use slider or preset choices to change the points on the curve. They try to make it easier for the beginner giving little explanations of what you are doing.
Other little changes have been made like moving unsharp mask, adjust sharpen and convert to black-and-white to the enhance menu. Also added Create button for projects which include: books, website, CD/DVD covers, collages and ordering prints. If you are making books stick with iPhoto or Blurb, making CD/DVD covers try Disc Cover. These features are weak add-ons and should be left to programs which do them very well.
After working with the programs, it was tough to get excited over any of the updated features unless you get excited over tools palette being in color instead of black-and-white.
My old copy of Photoshop Elements 4 seems to work fine with Leopard and it might be tough to recommend to update. The new version 6 is faster and a little more streamlined.
For most who want to improve their photoshop skills, I would recommended a trip to the book store or checking out some of the free photoshop podcasts like: Photoshop for Digital Photographers or Understanding Abobe Photoshop which are both available for free at iTunes. There also are so many fine third party books on Photoshop Elements which really is the best way to improve your skills. I also recommended to check out the books at a local book stores and decide on one which seem the easiest for you to understand. Every author and publisher take on different approaches.
Photoshop Elements 6 is the complete package for most, especially when you consider it includes the Bridge CS3 for organizing your photographs. You can work with most types of photographs including RAW images. It is a great value at the price of $90. It should handle most needs for those moving up from iPhoto.
______________________________________________________________________