Second Element

Last month I finished my first online class in PhotoShop Elements 5.0. Wednesday, I will begin my second class (the advanced studies). I really liked the first class. I liked the format and the instructor had written the lessons in such a manner that many of potential problems were anticipated and the answers provided without having to go to the discussion area. The discussion area was helpful and questions were generally answered within 4-8 hours.
I have always bee interested in photography. With the introduction of digital photography, the amateur photographer can create great photos from mere snapshots. Darkroom techniques that were once the exclusive domain of the pros and phot0 labs can now be done by the average interested amateur. There are still techniques and processes in the full version of PhotoShop CS3 that I will never learn, but I can make myself very happy with the capabilities of Elements. In fact I have ordered three books on PhotoShop Elements techniques to supplement what I have and will learn in the class.

This will make the hobby of photography so much more exciting that I can't wait to get out and shoot some more pictures, bring them back, download them and manipulate them in the program. Here is a very basic example. The first photo is the original snapshot. The second photo is the result of a little cropping and color enhancement. There were no significant techniques involved here. I might play with some other techniques later, like adding snow where the grass is showing.

Before

After

As mentioned in an earlier post, we are taking the family to Disney World in June. There will be more photo opps there than anyone can imagine. You're going to get sick of looking at the grand kids when we get back from that trip and I have the chance to post photos. That's OK. Like I said, this blog is mostly for my benefit anyway. I know where to come to see photos of the grand crew without having to do an extensive file search.
I am already planning to take a couple of online digital photography classes this fall. I think I have created a monster, and the monster is me.