Adobe Photoshop Elements 9: Maximum Performance: Unleash the hidden performance of Elements

As someone who has used PS Elements for quite a number of years but never took the time to really learn how to use it, I was looking for a more advanced resource that would help me get out of my rut of always using the same handful of techniques that I had picked up from short web tutorials over the years. This book was definitely what I needed and what a resource it is! I think of it as a "cookbook" of sorts that gives you a look into some of the more common processing needs you may encounter. I completed roughly a chapter a night over the course of a few weeks and came out with much greater knowledge than I had anticipated. Although I don't want to say that this is an "advanced" book (as I'm sure the author could have presented even more complicated techniques) it is definitely not one for beginners. If you are not already familiar with getting around in Elements as well as concepts such as layers, masks, cloning/healing, filters, etc. this book is going to be a struggle. Even as someone who was already very familiar with all of these concepts there were even some chapters that were a bit over my head ("Channels" is one that is going to require some repeated readings for me to ever be able to apply it with any degree of understanding). However, for me, the book was at the perfect level. It was easy enough to understand while also challenging me to really think about why the author was instructing the reader to do X or Y. Apart from the main information the author is teaching there are also many small nuggets of information thrown into the tutorial dialog that are easy to miss and demonstrate just how much deeper the author's knowledge of the subject really runs. It made me feel like I was getting some secret tips. Great stuff. I also very much appreciate the author's high attention to the small details. There were many instances when I said to myself, "Really? I have to be concerned with this?" but learned to appreciate that level of detail as I progressed through the book. The author really knows his material and presents it well. When I encountered points of confusion (very few I might add) the companion video tutorial (available on the web site) was always able to clear things up completely. Let me also say that there are no fluff chapters here. That cannot be said of many technical books out there that start off strong but end with many small chapters covering topics which are either unimportant or are too complex to be covered well. Every chapter in this book is worthwhile. I considered skipping some of the chapters when, after a quick perusal, I felt I already knew all the material. However, after deciding to read them anyway I always learned at least two or three new techniques with which I was not familiar. Another example is that I was not immediately interested in all the chapters on composite techniques (since I'm usually just touching up portraits, etc.). However, those chapters were often the most valuable to me as I finally learned how to create good selections and masks. For me, that alone is worth the price of the book but, even so, there is much, much more here. I can't recommend it highly enough. I will definitely be using it as a resource in much of what I do. I only wish the author would write a second, more advanced volume since I enjoyed this one so much.

This book is not for beginners in Photo Shop Elements as I am, so I did not use it yet. The book is for those who are familiar with all tools and procedures and want to upgrade and make some spacial heavy manipulations, photo montage. The book has some video tutorial.

If you ask most photographers how to do something in Photoshop Elements, they will roll their eyes and tell you they use CS5. Yet Photoshop Elements 9 is a powerful, yet affordable editor which comes with just what you need. I find simple tasks, such as bringing up shadow detail, a quick adjustment in elements using a slider rather than editing the entire exposure curve in the full version of Photoshop. I'm not a big fan of "shop'ing" photos for hours on end. If my image looks flat and dull, I would rather go and re-shoot the image rather than "fixing it in photoshop."There are times when re-shooting just is not an option. Perhaps there's an image which would have perfect, if there was just a bit more detail in the sky. Or, perhaps you need to work brochure and you just need one or two items from the original photograph to blend on a different background. This is where the book Maximum Performance comes in.I dislike the terms "advanced" or "beginner" when it comes to software and books. The examples in the book use tools which you might not be familiar with, such as the Place command or the High Pass Filter. You will either become familiar with them or you'll need to buy an additional book which goes into the details of all the tools.Reading through all the examples was a bit tedious, trying to follow along and figure out where all the options were located in the editor. I downloaded all the video tutorials and examples which had me speeding through the material. The author provides raw files, psd files, and an application to open and follow along with either video or images. You have the choice to explore the book or follow along on the actual software and original files.Not only did I pick up on the material, but it was great to look over the shoulder of a Photoshop expert to see the work flow. He does things which I never thought of - such as adding an adjustment layer rather than working on the originals. The author unleashed the power of the editor through the use of layer masks, gradient maps, and blending. For example, when I use a sharpening filter I would apply it to the entire image. The video examples demonstrate how to use a layer mask on top of an adjustment layer to paint on the sharpening to selected areas, then pull back using the opacity.The topic of Photoshop Magic was full explored as well. In one example, a truck was photographed on a dirt road, then copy/pasted onto a river dock. Any beginner can paste one object onto another, but it takes talent to make it look real i.e. not "shop'ed." What would have taken me an hour with a magic lasso the author did with a selection brush, feather, and reduce. He then focused on the small details, such as color temperature. Before I read this book I never had a use for gradients. Now I can't live without them.The book and the videos will serve as a "cookbook" of techniques to help me out of a jam when I've got a problem image. If I need to do some advanced sharpening or image toning, I can just pull up the video or flip through the chapter to remind me of some techniques which can be used.I've got a dozen Photoshop books but this is the first one I've read cover to cover.

I am a little disappointed. I love the Kindle but I just discovered after downloading this book, that if you wish to jump start your learning curve by taking the tutorials using the online materials, well....you can't. At the website, it will ask you a series of questions which, if answered correctly, will give you rights to the online material. You will need the book to find the answers to the questions. Some questions deal with topics on certain page numbers while some questions have to do with the color of a certain area on a photograph. As you can see, here lies the problem. With the Kindle being a gray scale device, guess what? You cannot answer the question without guessing. The long and short of it is you do not get in to take advantage of the tutorials and videos. This is an obvious oversight that I hope gets fixed soon. In the meantime, I hope to return the Kindle edition and order the book. I hope this alerts the Author to have Kindle friendly access questions to the offered online materials.As for the content of the book, it seems well written and very useful for one to make the transition from Photoshop to PS Elements. I read the Kindle sample book and was impressed with the information as it was presented. I can't wait to have access to the tutorials, and then practice with my own images.

Fast Delivery. Item exactly as described.

This book was what I was looking for. It helps you learn how to use photoshop elements to post process your photograhs. Also how to enhance them and merge them. It needs familiarty with PSE 9. It is aimed at the intermediate or advanced user of PSE 9.It does help you unleash PSE 9 and learn many tricks to improve your photography.

This book has a plethoria of techniques which i have yet to seen in the many websites and books i have purchased on the subject. What i like most about this author, is that he uses non-destructive techniques to process his images. this means that you can tweak each step after you have completed all the processing. Yes, the techniques are a little long-winded and they require quite a bit of layer processing, but in the end, you are left with changing any of your processing long after you have the finished product.He also includes amazing techniques using photoshop elements, such as using curves and better alternative processing using the standard tools. for example, he explains a way to dodge and burn which is better than the quick and dirty dodge and burn tools.when the book says it deals with the hidden performance of Elements, they aren't kidding.its like turbo boosting Photoshop CS's baby brother.highly recommended.

I have to disagree with the previous reviewer and put forward my thoughts.Mark Galer's title may not be "the complete manual" to Photoshop Elements 9 as there is little written about the organiser in the book but it is a great resource for learning how to use the powerful features available in the Edit module. The book is set out in 27 projects which cover all the tools including PSE 9's new features. There is a companion website where all the original raw files are available to download along with high quality videos for each of the projects which make learning even more enjoyable and easier.I bought this book after some research as I did not think I could stomach another Scott Kelby book with all his imature schoolboy humor. If you want to "unleash the hidden performance of Elements" then I suggest you purchase this book.I should say that the one thing that annoyed me was the length of time it takes to download each individual lesson, (there are 27 projects/lessons), but it is worth the wait as the quality of the video is superb and the full raw files are included for you to follow each of the lessons. (If you are on dial-up or on a very slow connection then look for another title).Mark Galer is a pleasure to listen to and his lessons are easy to follow. I am enjoying this book and the video tutorials and as a result learning new techniques with Elements. The organiser will look after itself. I want to get into the engine, get my hands dirty and get the best out of my images. That is what matters to me and this title does what it says on the cover.

Loads of useful tips and tricks in the book, I've not downloaded anything yet, the book is worth the money alone.