Photoshop

Keyboard
[Ctrl] + j		Clone to new layer [Ctrl] + t		Free transform

Zoom and View [Ctrl] + -		Zoom out [Ctrl] + =		Zoom in [Ctrl] + 0		Zoom fit to screen [Ctrl] + 1		Zoom to actual pixels [Tab]			Hide all panels (about as close to full screen as you can get) [Arrow-key]		Bump view

'[' and ']'		Increase and Decrease brush size [Caps Lock]		Change crosshairs

Mouse Modifiers: [Shift] + [Mouse]	Paint in straight lines [Ctrl] + [Mouse]	Move layer [Alt] + [Mouse]	Color picker [Space] + [Mouse]	Move view **very useful**

Soften Image
Free Photoshop Tutorial - Softening (Soft Focus) - http://www.digiretus.com/tippek/cikkiro.php?SORSZAM=35
 * Create a new duplicate layer
 * Filter/Blur/Gaussian Blur
 * Layers palette and set Opacity to 50%

Using the Blur Tool to Soften Image Areas in Photoshop Elements 9 - For Dummies - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-the-blur-tool-to-soften-image-areas-in-photo.html
 * I duplicated the Background layer, ran a very high Gaussian Blur (95 pixels) and changed the blend mode to Screen and the Layer Opacity to 24%.   (Gaussian Blur is in the Filter Menu under, yes, Blur.)

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4 Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your Pictures Pop! - http://digital-photography-school.com/4-easy-photoshop-techniques-to-make-your-pictures-pop

Duplicate your picture layer by dragging the layer to the ‘new’ icon in the layers palette (ctrl+j).

http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/overlay01.jpg

Apply a gaussian blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur…). Blur it enough that the detail disappears but the shapes mostly keep their form.

http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/overlay02.jpg

In the layers palette, change the blending mode from ‘Normal’ to ‘Overlay.’

http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/overlay03.jpg

If you look at the before and after, you can see that this method makes the light tones lighter and the dark tones darker while softening it a touch. Basically, it softly boosts the contrast. If you want a more dramatic effect, try changing the blending mode to ‘Vivid Light’ instead of ‘Overlay.’

Try it on all kinds of shots: portraits, nature shots, you name it. I use this method ALL the time. It works so well with everything!

Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/4-easy-photoshop-techniques-to-make-your-pictures-pop#ixzz2A0X7AVLE

Lighten Shadow
Another Suggestions:
 * 1) dupe layer
 * 2) put duped layer in screen mode.
 * 3) add layer mask to the duped layer and the fill the layer mask with black.
 * 4) take a soft brush and making sure the layer mask is active paint in white where you'd like it lighter.
 * 5) blur the mask about 15 to 25

References:
 * Photoshop Tip on How to Lighten Faces - YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi5FkNKM6Ig

Whiten Teeth
How To Whiten Teeth In Photoshop - http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/whiten-teeth/
 * Step 1: Select The Area Around The Teeth With The Lasso Tool
 * Step 2: Choose A Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer
 * Step 3: Select Yellows From The Hue/Saturation Edit List
 * Step 4: Drag The Lightness Slider To The Right To Brighten The Teeth
 * Step 5: Fill The Hue/Saturation Layer Mask With Black
 * Step 6: Select The Brush Tool
 * Step 7: Set White As Your Foreground Color
 * Step 8: Paint With White Over The Teeth To Restore The Whitening And Brightening
 * Step 9: Lower The Opacity Of The Adjustment Layer If Needed

Rule of Thirds Grid
Photoshop Elements > Rule of Thirds & Grid Lines - http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/cropping/1_rule_of_thirds.htm
 * Go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid
 * Change the Gridline every value to 33 percent, and Subdivisions to 1
 * Go to View > Grid

Note: I like to use '33.333' percent (to cover whole picture) and Subdivide by 2 to get the center line.

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Cropping Photos With the Rule of Thirds | Photoshop Elements | Scrapper's Guide - http://www.scrappersguide.com/tips_el/thirds/

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Adobe Photoshop * Grid and guides - http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-74cda.html
 * Position with guides and the grid
 * Show or hide a grid, guides, or smart guides

Vignette

 * 1) Elliptical Marquee Tool
 * 2) Select > Feather (20-50)
 * 3) Select > Inverse
 * 4) Choose background color
 * 5) Edit > Fill Selection
 * 6) * Adjust opacity for darker/lighter vignette

References:
 * Create a Soft Fade Vignette Effect in Photoshop Elements - http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshopelements/ht/psevignette.htm

Layer Masks

 * Inverting Layer Masks on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/17779103 (video)
 * "I like to use texture layers to add depth and pop to the iris of eyes. So I invert and layer and paint the texture into the eyes with a soft little brush."
 * Invert mask with 'Ctrl+I'

Sharpen Image
Enhance > Unsharp Mask...

Remove Moire Patterns from Scans
Descreen filter

Remove Moire Patterns From Scanned Photos in Photoshop and Elements - http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/ht/apsremovemoire.htm
 * Filter > Noise > Median
 * Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask

Descreening in Photoshop « Bkkphotographer's Blog - http://bkkphotographer.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/descreening-in-photoshop/
 * Verify similar to above, but better images

How to Remove Halftone in Photoshop | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6966162_remove-halftone-photoshop.html#ixzz2A0NgsuDo
 * "According to Print USA, a halftone is created when, "converting a continuous tone to dots for printing." All materials printed on a conventional offset printing press are made up of small dots of ink. When a printed piece is scanned, those small dots often are noticeable in the electronic image. While it's not possible to completely remove these dots, you can modify the file with Adobe Photoshop blur filters to make the dots less noticeable

Photo Restoration
Fortunately, photo editing has just the right tools for each aspect:
 * 1) Fading: levels, curves, contrast and black level tools
 * 2) Color Casts: white balance, color balance and other color tools
 * 3) Localized Damage: clone stamp, healing brush and other selective editing tools

1. FADING: RESTORE CONTRAST & DYNAMIC RANGE

The most universal tool for fixing this is probably the levels tool in Photoshop. In general, you'll want to:
 * 1) Move the black point to the right.
 * 2) Move the white point to the left.
 * 3) Shift the midpoint slightly to adjust overall brightness (if necessary).

2. COLOR CASTS: WHITE BALANCE & COLOR TOOLS


 * 1) Using the "white balance dropper tool" is often the easiest technique since it has the potential to neutralize color casts in a single step.

3. LOCALIZED DAMAGE: CLONING & HEALING BRUSH


 * 1) By far the best tools for removing these are the clone stamp and healing brush tools

Replace Color
Using the Replace Color Command in Photoshop Elements 9 - For Dummies - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-the-replace-color-command-in-photoshop-eleme.html
 * With the Replace Color command in Photoshop Elements, you can replace designated colors in your image with other colors. You first select the colors you want to replace by creating a mask, which is a selection made by designating white (selected), black (unselected), and gray (partially selected) areas. You can then adjust the hue and/or saturation of those selected colors.
 * Enhance -> Adjust Color -> Replace Color

Photomerge Exposure
Photoshop Elements Help | Enhancing - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/enhancing.html

http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/enhancing/_jcr_content/main-pars/image_4.img.png/cr_photomerge_exposure.png

Photomerge Panorama
Photoshop Elements Help | Stitching together panoramas - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/stitching-together-panoramas.html

Remove Dust and Scratches
Removing Dust and Scratches from Images in Photoshop Elements 9 - For Dummies - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/removing-dust-and-scratches-from-images-in-photosh.html
 * Filter -> Noise -> Despeckle
 * Filter -> Noise -> Dust & Scratches
 * Filter -> Noise -> Median
 * Filter -> Noise -> Reduce Noise

Background Erasing
Introducing The Background Eraser Tool To Photoshop Elements Tutorials - http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/background-eraser.html
 * 1) Open an image you want to change the background color on.
 * 2) Create the new color layer.
 * 3) Set-up the Background Eraser Tool.
 * 4) Erase the Background.

http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/images/BkgdEraser_toolbox.jpg

Shape Outline
In Microsoft MS Paint you could use the Shapes tool to outline items in an image.

In Photoshop:
 * 1) Use the Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee selection tool to draw your outline.
 * 2) Right click on shape and select "Stroke (Outline) Selection".
 * 3) Select border width and color.

There are also predefined shapes you can use in the "Shape Select Tool".

Facial Softening
How to do Facial Softening on Adobe Photoshop Elements - YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4kwdjbrmc
 * Gaussian blur a layer, then gently mask erase the skin areas. Avoid eyebrows, hair, and important facial lines.

Easily Smooth And Soften Skin In A Photo With Photoshop - http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/smooth-skin/
 * 1) Duplicate The Background Layer
 * 2) Change The Blend Mode Of "Layer 1" to "Overlay"
 * 3) Apply The "High Pass" Filter To "Layer 1"
 * 4) * Filter -> Other -> High Pass...
 * 5) Use a Radius between 6 - 10
 * 6) Invert “Layer 1″
 * 7) * Filter > Adjustments > Invert
 * 8) * OR Ctrl + I
 * 9) Lower The Opacity Of "Layer 1" To Fine-Tune The Amount Of Skin Softening
 * 10) Limit Affect By Adding A Layer Mask To "Layer 1"
 * 11) Select The Brush Tool
 * 12) Set Your Foreground Color To Black
 * 13) Paint Over The Details In The Face To Hide The Softening Effect
 * 14) Paint Away The Effect From The Rest Of The Image

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Alternative:

Free Photoshop Tutorial - Smoothing out faces - http://www.digiretus.com/tippek/cikkiro.php?SORSZAM=8

Use Filter/Noise/Dust&Scratches

New Image from Clipboard
Adobe Community: Is there a way to directly paste as image from clipboard - http://forums.adobe.com/thread/689478

function{return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}

Noel Carboni - Jul 28, 2010 4:14 PM
 * I created an action for that, which I assign to a key. It makes a new document from whatever's in my clipboard.
 * You can download a copy from here: http://Noel.ProDigitalSoftware.com/temp/NewImageFromClipboard.zip

Icon
Photoshop ICO Plugin - http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/photoshop/plugins/ico/

Need to create the "Plug-Ins\File Formats" folder.

Telegraphics - Free plugins for Photoshop & Illustrator...and other software - http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/
 * http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/files/ICOFormat-2.1b1-win.zip

Faded Background Image
Layers -> Create new fill or adjustment layer -> Levels...

Drag the "dark" bar to the right

Divide Photo in Half

 * 1) Choose View > Rulers
 * 2) Click and drag from the left ruler to the middle of your document. The line will "snap" to the center of the image when you get close.
 * 3) Choose the Rectangular Marquee Tool and drag from the top left of your image to where the center line meets the bottom of the image. This will make a selection of half of your image.
 * 4) Right-click on your selection and choose Layer via copy to make a new layer with a copy of the left half of the image.

References:
 * Photoshop Elements 10 evenly dividing a photo. | Adobe Community - https://forums.adobe.com/message/5399738

Find Center of Photo

 * 1) Edit > Preferences > Grid
 * 2) Set Gridline to 100 Percent
 * 3) Set 'subdivisions to 2
 * 4) View > Grid
 * 5) There will be 2 grid lines intersecting at the center.

References:
 * Photoshop Elements 10 evenly dividing a photo. | Adobe Community - https://forums.adobe.com/message/5399738

Create Drawing from Picture
keywords: drawing, sketch, pencil drawing, pencil sketch, clipart

Steps:
 * 1) Desaturate the Background copy
 * 2) * Go to Enhance > Adjust Color > Adjust Hue/Saturation, or press Ctrl + u.
 * 3) * Desaturate the color of the Desaturate layer by moving the Saturation slider to -100
 * 4) Duplicate layer
 * 5) * Press Ctrl + j to make a copy
 * 6) Invert new layer
 * 7) * Select new layer
 * 8) * Go to Filter > Adjustments > Invert, or press Ctrl + i, to invert the Invert layer.
 * 9) Change the Blending Mode to Color Dodge
 * 10) * Select invert layer and change blend mode for invert layer to 'Color Dodge'
 * 11) Add Gaussian Blur
 * 12) * Select invert layer
 * 13) * Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (adjust as desired)

Levels Adjustment Layer
 * Create a Levels adjustment layer
 * Adjust the middle, gray, slider

Threshold Adjustment Layer
 * Create a Threshold adjustment layer
 * Adjust the white slider

References:
 * Photoshop Elements > Drawing - http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/drawing/1_drawing.htm
 * Creating a pencil sketch Effect - http://www.dwphotoshop.com/photoshop/pencilsketch.php

Crop Single Layer
Use a layer mask. Tutorials galore: http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/masking-layers.html

Straight from Adobe:
 * "You can add a mask to a layer and use the mask to hide portions of the layer and reveal the layers below. Masking layers is a valuable compositing technique for combining multiple photos into a single image or for making local color and tonal corrections."

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Copy the selection to a new image, crop, then copy back.

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"You can also select the area you want to crop to with the rectangular marquee tool, invert your selection, then delete the now selected outside area. This is different from the layer mask in that it completely deletes the surrounding area, whereas the mask makes the surrounding area invisible."

References:
 * cropping - How can I crop a single layer in Photoshop? - Photography Stack Exchange - http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/30956/how-can-i-crop-a-single-layer-in-photoshop

Content Aware Fill
Select "Spot healing Brush tool" and select the "Content-Aware" checkbox.

Where is Content Aware Fill tool in Adobe Photoshop Elements? | Adobe Photoshop Elements - http://photoshopelementsbyadobe.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-is-content-aware-fill-tool-in.html#.U5qZyLEjFr0

Text on Selection Tool
Photoshop Elements 10 - Use Text on Selection Tool to Add Text to an Image - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5q2UX7HMZ0

Page Temples and Layer Clipping Masks
Uses layer clipping masks - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/clipping-masks.html


 * 1) Create a shape of an image (any method)
 * 2) Select the layer
 * 3) Open the new image to be masked
 * 4) Drag and drop the image to existing project
 * 5) Hold the [ALT] key and select the line between the two layers
 * 6) The new image will be masked by the bottom layer's shape

References:
 * Free Digital Scrapbooking Gallery - How To Use Page Templates In Photoshop Elements - http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/gallery/1037/how-to-use-page-templates-in-photoshop-elements/
 * Screencast Video: http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/images/tutorials/2008-11-07_1445.swf
 * Photoshop Elements Help | Clipping masks - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/clipping-masks.html

Slimming and Liquifying
Free Transform - Can get away with about 95% slimming. Beyond that starts to look distorted

References:
 * Photoshop Elements Slimming Technique - YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2pI_WtSni4

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Filter -> Distort -> Liquify

References:
 * Slimming and Liquifying in Photoshop - YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRlUe6Dr_oY

General Tutorials
4 Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your Pictures Pop! - http://digital-photography-school.com/4-easy-photoshop-techniques-to-make-your-pictures-pop
 * 1) blur/overlay
 * 2) filter the background
 * 3) neon glow
 * 4) easy blur

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Photoshop Elements Help | Enhancing - http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/enhancing.html
 * Blur or soften edges
 * Replace colors in an image
 * Clone images or areas in an image
 * Photomerge Faces
 * Photomerge Exposure
 * Photomerge Style Match

Photoshop Tutorials - http://www.entheosweb.com/photoshop/default.asp
 * Website Banner with Logo
 * Magazine Image Effect
 * Design a Unique Header
 * Slicing your Layout
 * Shiny Starburst Effect
 * Free Photoshop Website Template
 * Simple Logo Design Ideas
 * Retouch an Image
 * Cool Photoshop Effects
 * Halo Effect
 * Reflection with ripple
 * Manipulate Photographs
 * Superimpose a Picture in Text
 * Glass Effects
 * Icy Image
 * Brick Wall Texture
 * Simple Photo Effects
 * Twirl
 * Rain Effect
 * Bubbles
 * Designing your Layout
 * Develop a Website
 * 3d Ball
 * Rainbow
 * Cool Background Ideas
 * Torn Paper Edge Effect
 * Great Looking Textures
 * Crystal Ball Effect
 * Lighting Effects
 * Pop Art Effect
 * Smarties
 * Smoke Effect
 * Simple Photoshop Tips
 * Shape your Text
 * Wood Texture Effect
 * Glowing Twirl
 * Embossed Image

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Scanning Basics 101 - All about digital images - http://www.scantips.com/
 * Video Resolution - How much to scan?
 * Say No to 72 dpi - It's a false notion
 * Images for television or for PowerPoint
 * Printing Resolution - Scaling and Resampling
 * Finding the Scaling and Resampling Menus
 * Printer Resolution - How much to scan?
 * Line art and Threshold - Copy and OCR, Printed Text
 * Line art and Grayscale
 * Scanning for Fax
 * Descreen to remove Moiré Interference
 * Images in magazines/books/newspapers
 * Interpolated Resolution - 9600 dpi?
 * Photo Resolution - How much can we scan?
 * Image File Formats - Which format?
 * Video Boards
 * Transparent Media Adapter - 35 mm slides?
 * What about Film Scanners?
 * Dynamic Range - 24 bit or 36 bits?

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RetouchPRO - http://www.retouchpro.com/
 * Forum about retouching photos

Scaling a Layer Reduces Resolution
Don't scale until you have to. It is a lossy operation!

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On a side note, when resizing an image with lines (like GIF), use the "Nearest Neighbor (preserve hard edges)" instead of "Bicubic"