Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something — and skip the long-winded explanations? If so, then this book is for you. Open it up and you'll find clear, step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 150 Photoshop Elements tasks. Each task-based spread includes easy, visual directions for performing necessary operations, including:

• Working with toolboxes and palettes

• Importing and organizing images

• Mapping photos

• Creating slide shows

• Enhancing contrast and colors

• Combining images

• Helpful sidebars offer practical tips and tricks

• Full-color screen shots demonstrate each task

• Succinct explanations walk you through step by step

• Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules

If you’re a visual learner, this book is for you. Clear, step-by-step screen shots show you how to tackle more than 150 common tasks using Photoshop Elements 6, in task-based spreads with easy, visual directions. Learn to work with toolboxes and palettes, import and organize images, map photos, create slide shows, enhance contrast and colors, combine images, and much more. Helpful sidebars offer practical tips and tricks, and succinct explanations walk you through step by step.

Mike Wooldridgeis a user-interface designer and inventor. This is his sixth book on Photoshop Elements and his nineteenth in the Visual series.

Linda Wooldridgeis a former senior editor at Macworld.This is her fifth book in the Visual series.

Chapter 1: Getting Started.

Introducing Photoshop Elements 6.

Understanding Digital Images.

Start Photoshop Elements.

The Editor Workspace.

The Organizer Workspace.

Switch Between the Editor and the Organizer.

Anatomy of the Elements Toolbox.

Work with Toolbox Tools.

Work with Palettes.

Set Program Preferences.

Find Help.

Chapter 2: Getting Digital Photos into Elements.

Get Photos for Your Projects.

Import Photos from a Digital Camera or Card Reader.

Import Photos from a Scanner.

Import Photos from a Folder.

Watch a Folder for New Images.

Open a Photo.

Create a Blank Image.

Save a Photo.

Duplicate a Photo.

Close a Photo.

Chapter 3: Organizing Your Photos.

Introducing the Organizer.

Open the Organizer.

Create a Catalog.

View Photos in the Photo Browser.

Work with Albums.

Create a Smart Album.

View Photos by Date.

Work with Keyword Tags.

Tag Faces.

Map a Photo.

View Photo Properties.

Add a Caption.

Find Photos.

Stack Photos.

Chapter 4: Image Editing Basics.

Work with Image Windows.

Magnify with the Zoom Tool.

Adjust the Image View.

Change the Image Size.

Change the Image Print Size.

Change the Image Resolution.

Change the Image Canvas Size.

Undo Changes to an Image.

Revert an Image.

Chapter 5: Selection Techniques.

Select an Area with a Marquee.

Select an Area with a Lasso.

Select an Area with the Magic Wand.

Select an Area with the Quick Selection Tool.

Select an Area with the Selection Brush.

Add to or Subtract from a Selection.

Save and Load a Selection.

Invert a Selection.

Deselect a Selection.

Chapter 6: Manipulating Selections.

Move a Selection.

Copy and Paste a Selection.

Delete a Selection.

Rotate a Selection.

Scale a Selection.

Skew or Distort a Selection.

Feather the Border of a Selection.

Chapter 7: Layer Basics.

What Are Layers?

Create and Add to a Layer.

Hide a Layer.

Move a Layer.

Duplicate a Layer.

Delete a Layer.

Reorder Layers.

Change the Opacity of a Layer.

Link Layers.

Merge Layers.

Rename a Layer.

Create a Fill Layer.

Create an Adjustment Layer.

Blend Layers.

Chapter 8: Retiuching Photos.

Retouch with Guided Edit.

Quick Fix a Photo.

Remove Red Eye.

Retouch with the Clone Stamp Tool.

Correct a Spot.

Remove Dust and Scratches.

Crop an Image.

Crop with the Cookie Cutter Tool.

Rotate an Image.

Straighten an Image.

Sharpen an Image.

Extract an Object from a Background.

Chapter 9: Enhancing Contrast and Exposure.

Enhance Lighting with Guided Edit.

Adjust Levels.

Adjust Shadows and Highlights.

Change Brightness and Contrast.

Lighten Areas with the Dodge Tool.

Darken Areas with the Burn Tool.

Add a Spotlight.

Fix an Underexposed Image.

Using the Blur and Sharpen Tools.

Chapter 10: Enhancing Colors.

Enhance Colors with Guided Edit.

Adjust Skin Color.

Adjust Color with the Sponge Tool.

Correct Color with Color Variations.

Replace a Color.

Equalize Colors.

Posterize Colors.

Boost Colors with the Multiply Blending Mode.

Turn a Color Photo into Black and White.

Add Color to a Black-and-White Photo.

Adjust Color Using Color Curves.

Chapter 11: Painting and Drawing on Photos.

Set the Foreground and Background Colors.

Add Color with the Brush Tool.

Change Brush Styles.

Add Color with the Paint Bucket Tool.

Replace a Color with a Brush.

Draw a Shape.

Draw a Line.

Erase an Area.

Apply a Gradient.

Chapter 12: Applying Filters.

Blur an Image.

Distort an Image.

Turn an Image into a Painting.

Turn an Image into a Sketch.

Add Noise to an Image.

Pixelate an Image.

Emboss an Image.

Apply Multiple Filters.

Chapter 13: Adding Text Elements.

Add Text.

Change the Formatting of Text.

Change the Color of Text.

Apply a Filter to Text.

Create Warped Text.

Create Beveled Text.

Add a Shadow to Text.

Chapter 14: Applying Styles and Effects.

Add a Drop Shadow to a Photo.

Add a Drop Shadow to a Layer.

Create a Vintage Photo.

Add a Fancy Background.

Add Beveling to a Layer.

Add an Outer Glow to a Layer.

Add a Fancy Covering to a Layer.

Add a Watermark.

Chapter 15: Presenting Photos Creatively.

Create a Slide Show.

Create an Online Photo Gallery.

Create a Collage.

Create a Greeting Card.

Create a Flipbook.

Create PhotoStamps.

Create a Photo Panorama.

Chapter 16: Saving and Sharing Your Work.

Save a JPEG for the Web.

Save a GIF for the Web.

Save a PNG for the Web.

Convert File Types.

E-mail Images with Photo Mail.

Print a Photo.

Print Multiple Photos.

Print a Picture Package.

Print a Contact Sheet.

Export Photos.

Back Up Photos.