Okay. If I have to, I’ll go back to GIMP. But, for the next thirty days, I am going to be trying Photoshop Elements 9. I downloaded a 30-day free trial and think it could possibly become my program of choice–at least until I’m financially secure enough to buy Photoshop CS or get a free version for life. (Read: I’m a penny-pincher.)
So far, here are a few of the photos I’ve created with the program:
This picture was taken in front of our hotel in Patras, Greece. For this picture (of my favorite subject), I used the smart select tool to select all of the background. I changed it to a “pewter” color. Then, I selected all of the cutieface and increased the contrast by adding a “brightness/contrast” layer and selecting only him; this made his shirt and skin sort of pop from the picture. Finally, I slightly whitened his teeth. (He’s so cute, right!? I know…)
This picture was taken in front of a beach-side coffee shop on the Mediterranean in Patras, Greece. To make the changes, I used the smart brush to make the sky bluer and then added cloud contrast to the sky. Then, I chose the entire background and used the blur tool to soften it. Finally, I added my trademark.
This picture was taken inside the Patras Fortress. As you noticed, the first picture is basically unusable. I could never put this in one of my treasured scrapbooks. However, I added an adjustment layer and adjusted the brightness as much as possible. This gave me the second picture, which made cutiepie’s face visible. Then, I enhanced the shadows. I made the shadows bright, the midtones bright, and did nothing to the highlights. That gave me the last picture, which is definitely going in my scrapbook now! :)
I know it’s still early, but I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that, if you don’t want to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on Photoshop SC #, go ahead and spend the $60 on Photoshop Elements. You might even be able to find a used copy/former edition for less on Ebay.
Happy editing, friends!
