Applying Photoshop CC Watercolor Painting Technique Using Elements

One of the advantages of using the Photo Editor expert mode in Photoshop Elements is that Elements is based on th same engine as used in Photoshop CC. This is quite evident once you get into the dialogs for specific commands and tools.

This post links to an AppTip Sheet that clearly illustrates this by applying a watercolor effect to a photo. This effect starts with applying the Watercolor filter, but goes well beyond this simple effect,

I learned the technique from an article by Colin Smith of Photoshop Cafe. He explains his technique using Photoshop CC. However, it uses the commands and tools that have long been a part of Photoshop.

I was able to apply the same technique in PSE 2018 with only a couple of modifications. My AppTip Sheet breaks with my usual practice and topics for these tip sheets. The technique involves many steps, and this the TipSheet is much longer than normal.

This technique allows for wide range of customization in the settings as you apply the steps. Below shows the before and after for the photo and settings I chose.

Here is the link to the AppTip Sheet.

Try this out and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Until next time…

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Using Actions in Photoshop Elements 2018

One of the capabilities the Photo Editor has had for a long time is the ability to play Photoshop Actions.

An Action is similar to a macro in Excel or Word that will complete a series of steps or commands automatically, once started from a single click of the mouse. Using Actions can greatly increase the speed of performing tasks that take multiple steps and are something  you do repeatedly while editing a photo.

However, Elements cannot write Actions. The Action must be created using Photoshop CC, and then saved. Additionally, the Action cannot contain any commands that are not in PSE, or used by it internally.

The link below is to an AppTip Sheet that provides an introduction to using Actions in PSE 2018. The process is similar to earlier versions. It used to be a Guided Edit in an earlier version of PSE.

In my next post I will cover how to download, install, and run an Action written by a third party, of which there are hundreds of free ones online.

Until next time…

Elements XXL – Powerful Photoshop Elements Plug-in

Here is an interesting and powerful plug-in for Photoshop Elements.

Have you tried either of these plug-ins? Let me know what you think, ok.

Until next time.

Create Unique Tiny Planet Image Using Photoshop Elements

Tiny Planet images have become quite popular on phot sharing sites and in social media sites, such as Facebook. To create a Tiny Planet image, you generally must start with a spherical or 360-degree panorama. Using drone or special 360-degree cameras make it easy to take and stitch the individual photos together.

This AppTip Sheet describes how to create a Tiny Planet image using Photoshop Elements. It begins with a 360-degree panorama shot with a Mavic Pro or similar drone and previously projected with a program such as okolo.com. There are many programs and websites that can produce Tiny Planets. However, using PSE to create it allows you to produce a high resolution image, and also allows you to the image.

Click on the figure above to display or print the PDF of the AppTip Sheet.

If you found it helpful and interesting don’t hesitate to Like or Share it below.

Until next time…

 

PSE 2018 Video Tutorial – How I Print Photos

This video tutorial explains how I print photos on my Epson R1800 printer using Photoshop Elements 2016. My printer is an older one, but it still works quite well. Contrary to what experts recommend, I do not use a color managed workflow that requires you to periodically calibrate your monitor. I let the printer do the color management and not Photoshop.

Several years ago I did routinely calibrate my monitor and followed a color management process. But frankly, I get better and more consistent results using my approach, and it is easier.

If you are using an a higher end Epson printer, like the R1800, the screens will look very similar. On the other hand, if you are using a more inexpensive printer like my every day Epson WF-2760, the dialog screens will look different, but all of the settings I use will be available somewhere. If you use another brand of printer, the screens and settings may be entirely different, but the general concept will be the same. Click on the figure below to view the tutorial.

If you found this video to be helpful, please Like it on YouTube.

Until next time…

 

Lunada Bay 360 Panorama

https://kuula.co/share/7l30V?fs=1&vr=0&zoom=1&thumbs=1&chromeless=0&logo=0

The above is a link to a 360 degree panorama I took recently with my DJI Mavic Pro drone at Lunada Bay in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. On this flight, I did not go very high, since it was pretty breezy. The stitching of the 34 images was done in the DJI app I use to control the drone. The projection and display of the panorama is by Kuula.co, a popular website for sharing 360 panoramas.

After stitching, and before uploading to Kuula, I darkened the sky with the NIK Collection plug-in for Photoshop Elements.

I am still experimenting with the ways to upload and share the 360 panoramas. Taking the shots is the easy part and is done automatically by the DJI Go 4 app.

Please leave a comment if you would like to see more 360 degree panoramas.

Until next time…

The Evolution of Photoshop Elements: PSE 11 through PSE 2018

One of the recurring topics that routinely show up in Photoshop Elements forums and social media is what are differences between different versions of Elements, and is it worth upgrading. Whether it is worth it or not is certainly up to the individual, but having a idea of what each version adds (and on occasion removes) is the first step in making your decision.

Sometime ago I put together a table that compares the current version to an earlier one. The PDF file that is linked below is my latest version of the table. It compares PSE 11 through PSE 2018. Hopefully, it will of some help to those who have struggled with the question of whether or not to upgrade.

Let me know if you found this table helpful. Don’t forget to explore my blog for other helpful digital photography articles and tutorials.

Until next time…