Photoshop and Photoshop Elements Resources

[Wonder Woman]

A friend asked me to compile a list of what I have for her, so I thought I'd share here too. My familiarity is with Photoshop Elements (I'm currently using version 6) and while some of these resources will work only for Photoshop, most of them are compatible with Elements as well.

PLUGINS:

The number one, can't live without it, must have plugin is OptikVerve. http://optikvervelabs.com/ Unfortunately, it's only for PC - Mac users are out of luck. This one is pure genius, though - it's saved me hours getting that perfect tone on a portrait. It's completely customizable, I've been using it for 3 years and still find new ways to use it.

Another series of fun plugins is from Xero : http://www.xero-graphics.co.uk/freeware.htm Again, these are really versatile.

LAYER STYLES:
The list here is comprehensive and has some great effects, especially for text and photo frames. http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pho...le_Effects.htm
(As a matter of fact, their page for brushes, layer styles, patterns, and actions is a fabulous resource, and much of it can be used commercially. http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pho..._Photoshop.htm)

Biorust : http://www.biorust.com/downloads/browse/6/added/desc/1/

Ladyoak - http://ladyoak.com - has some really great layer styles, brushes, custom shapes, and gradients. You have to register, but it's free.

BRUSHES:
Seishido's rock Her freeware is great: http://www.seishido.biz/seishido.html And her commercial ones are worth springing for

TOOLS/ACTIONS
Without a doubt, Atomic Cupcakes takes the top of the list I wish she still offered her monthly subscription (because I'm cheap! ha!) but they are well worth the $$ spent on them. http://www.atomiccupcake.com/catalog.php?cat=a These will help you get the perfect look for borders, elements, frames, papers, etc. I use them all the time when I'm doing cards, and sometimes even logos. The resolution is fine for printing - 300dpi.

DIGITAL KITS:
If you are looking for layouts, or elements to arrange for digi-scrapping (or for doing a web layout or cards/birth announcements, etc) then a digi-kit is often the way to go. Some of them prohibit commercial usage (meaning design for you, or a friend, but nothing you are making $$ from.) Some allow limited commercial usage, others allow a commercial license for a reasonable price.

One of my favorites is the Shabby Shoppe: http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/homepage.asp They have gorgeous kits, and reasonable commercial license fees. They also allow usage in photography/card products, even commercial, without a license as long as their terms are followed. http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/scrip...rcialTerms.asp

RAKScraps is also a great resource : http://www.rakscraps.com/

(Just google digisrapping kits - you'll find a TON of great things! Enough to suck you in for days, I promise.)

TUTORIALS:

http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Phot...ost-popular/1/

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/elements/tutorials.html

http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm

http://www.arraich.com/elements/psE_intro.htm

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse..._Resources.htm

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/
and
http://www.phauntactions.com/ (thanks Em!)

That will get the list started, and I'll add more as I come across it. I'd love to see others' lists of resources, too

[bostonsmama]

Wow! Thanks, Reb. I made this a sticky

[Wonder Woman]

thanks Elise

Thank you! I can't wait to get started.

[Wonder Woman]

you're welcome - and I'd love to see what you come up with

[domesticzookeeper]

Oooooh, bookmarking this

I love http://www.phauntactions.com/ - there are some free actions available, and the tutorials are great too

(oh yeah, and I'm using PS7)

[Wonder Woman]

those are some neat ones there Emily!

[domesticzookeeper]

Another one I really like is the Pioneer Woman's photography blog: http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/

It's geared toward Photoshop Elements users, but the steps are broken down so that you could ostensibly try it out in other programs. She also has some free actions available for download

[MaybeGracie]

Wow, awesome list of resources! I noticed you said that the first one is for Windows users only, not Mac - is that common for those sorts of resources? Would it be notably more worthwhile to use this program in Windows rather than Mac? (I have both and was planning on using my Mac for photos, but if it would be significantly more worth it to use Windows, then I can go with that instead.)

[Wonder Woman]

honestly, I didn't notice them saying either way on anything but the first one. (But the first one alone would have me using the Windows version, as much as I want a Mac someday. It's that good, especially if you work primarily w/photos...)

[AngelaVA]

Just got my first copy of photoshop elements 7. Can't wait to start scrapbooking! Should I try a book to get me going on it or just stick with online tutorials?

[Wonder Woman]

I'd go with online tutorials, honestly - usually more up to date!

[AngelaVA]

I am just learning to use this software, I can do the photo organizing and put them into a collage, I can add a single background or graphic but here is where I am stuck, I can't do any scrapbook-y things like adding layers of backgrounds (like different backgrounds in different areas) lines or shapes etc. I looked a bit at the tutorials posted but they are a bit too advanced for where I am at right now I think.

I am editing this because I watched about a million tutorials and still couldn't figure this out and I don't want anyone else to have the same frustration. I have a newer version of PSE (7) where there are features that it tells you to go to for making collages and albums. If you watch the tutorials to try to make an album or collage, you will only be able to create preformated albums very similar to what you can make at Shutterfly.com. If you actually want to scrapbook, you don't use the album or collage features you just use the plain old edit feature, create a blank file the size you want your page and then either use multiple files you have in your project bin or tell it to 'place' files saved on your computer. You can watch all the tutorials you want but if you are in the wrong mode you won't be able to use them.

http://www.coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.atncentral.com

there are SO many of these... I need to get all them bookmarked in a central location... I'll post more as I run across them in my surfing.

---------- Post added at 02:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

Originally Posted by AngelaVA

I am just learning to use this software, I can do the photo organizing and put them into a collage, I can add a single background or graphic but here is where I am stuck, I can't do any scrapbook-y things like adding layers of backgrounds (like different backgrounds in different areas) lines or shapes etc. I looked a bit at the tutorials posted but they are a bit too advanced for where I am at right now I think.

Try looking for digiscrap podcasts... they're really helpful!!

[Redeemed]

Thank you for this post. I just started using PS and PS Elements to create digital scrapbook paper.