The original
photo is
not straight
Get started with basics working with
Photoshop Elements:
Open Photoshop, select Photo Editor. Program opens.
Drag and drop photo into photoshop workspace.
We are going to straighten the image by rotating it so the shelf is
level.
After rotating, the image has voids at each corner.
We will use Clone Stamp Tool (or type s for shortcut).
The Clone Stamp can be used to fill voids so the image looks authentic. |
 Layout
of photoshop elements
The menu bar appears at top of workspace.
The Layers Bin appears on right side. Go to menu and click Windows, then
click Layers, and the Layers Bin opens
to right of workspace.
The Background Layer shows the image that was opened in photoshop.
The workspace appears in center and shows the image that is being
worked on.
The toolbar is located on left side.
Hover mouse over each tool to identify function.
-Each tool offers additional options at bottom, under the workspace.
We are going to use Clone Stamp Tool, and Pattern stamp tools.
-Option for each of these tools appears at bottom, such as Opacity
slider, etc.
We will also use the Move Tool to rotate image, Marquee tool and Lasso
to select areas, and possibly other tools.
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Menu
bar
 The menu
bar is located at top of Photoshop workspace.
Menu
options include File, Edit, Image,
Layer, Select, Filter, View, Window,
Help.
-Go to menu
then File and note 'Save As' so you can save the .psd photoshop file
and work on later. Note 'Save for Web' so you can optimize quality and
exact size of image.
-Go to menu
then Edit and note location of Undo. You can use
Undo to reverse any
prior action, or use keyboard shortcuts including
Ctrl + z,
Ctrl + y, etc.
-Go to menu
then click Windows, then
click Layers, and the Layers Panel opens
to right of workspace.
The Layers Panel shows the image as the Background layer. We will add more layers, and each new layer will appear in the Panel.
-Go to menu and click Edit, then Preferences, General tab, put checkmark in zoom scroll with
mouse.
Now you can scroll in and out using scroll wheel on mouse.
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 Go to menu bar and click Window, then click Layers so the Layers Panel shows to right of workspace.
Next, go to menu bar and click Layer, then click Duplicate Layer.
Now you have 2 identical layers showing in Layers Panel, one is
Background and other is Background Copy.
We will work on Background Copy.
Click any layer to make active, and layer turns blue.
Only the active layer can be worked on, and only one layer at a time can be active.
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A layer must be active and
highlighted in blue to work on it. A layer must be visible to work on it. And only 1 layer at a time can be
worked on.
Layers can be moved up and down with
the mouse so their order can be changed in the stack of layers. The Background layer cannot be moved. You can
have as many layers as you want, assuming your computer has enough RAM
memory.
 Explore Layers Panel Features
1. Drag a layer up to #1 icon to create a duplicate layer. Or click
the duplicate layer icon, and it creates a new transparent or blank layer.
2. Click the #2 icon to view drop down menu and choose Gradient and it
creates a new transparent layer with a gradient. Other options available.
3. Drag a layer into #3 trash can to delete. Go to menu and click Edit and then Undo to reverse any action.
4. Open #4 icon and select
Duplicate layer, or Delete hidden layers, or Simplify and it lets you simplify a
gradient or
text layer, etc.
5. Dropdown menu on #5 offers effects that can be applied to any layer.
6. Opacity slider #6 lets you make a layer more transparent.
7. Blue color on a layer indicates layer is activated and can be
worked
on.
Click on a layer in Layers Panel and it highlights in blue to signify that the
layer is active.
8. Eyeball is clicked off, making the layer invisible in the
workspace.
A layer must be visible and activated before work can be done on that
layer.
9. Click on name of any layer to change name of layer. |
 Rotate picture so the center shelf is
level
We will work on Background Copy.
Typically, no work is done on Background. You want to work on layers
and keep background unchanged so you can start over any time.
Click on Background Copy layer and it highlights in blue to signify
that the
layer is active.
On Background layer, click eyeball off.
Next step.
Click on Move tool.
Go to menu and click Image,
the click Transform, and then select Free
Transform.
Box comes up around the image in workspace.
Click mouse slightly outside the right side of box and this will ensure
mouse is going to work on that layer and not jump to a different layer.
Using the mouse, rotate image until wire shelf in middle of picture is
level.
Click green checkmark to approve change.
To reverse any action, go to
menu, Edit on
and select Undo. |
 We will use Clone Stamp tool to
fill in missing plastic.
Select Clone Stamp tool
Below workspace are options for Clone tool. Choose diameter or size, choose shape (round, square etc), leave
opacity at 100%, normal mode, and align.
Place tool on an area of the grey-colored plastic, then click Alt +
click mouse to set the start point. This point can be changed as often
as needed.
Then move mouse over another area of the picture where you want the
clone to appear. In this case, we want
to follow the direction of the folds in the plastic.
The clone will duplicate the start point exactly. |
Start in a small area, for example in lower left of image.
Follow direction of creases in plastic.
Try different size and shape clone.
Select a start point, then Alt + click mouse, then move clone to the location you want to start filling.
Click mouse, or hold down mouse and move mouse for continuous fill. |
  The lower right corner of picture has been filled
with plastic. |
Follow
direction of material
Clone tool requires a skill for pattern etc.
You can go over an area previously made.
One trick that is handy, reduce
opacity of Clone tool in the tool
options located below workspace.
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The
lower right and left corners of picture have been filled
with plastic.
The plastic is an uneven surface, making the clone stamp work appear
natural. The work is not perfect but looks OK. Larger image of work so far
The upper left corner is next and harder, because the ceiling
texture is gradually darker the farther away from light bulb. |
  Starting at the plastic box sitting on shelf.
Working on a small area at a time is the best method.
Here's some tricks:
Work in small area. Adjust to smaller diameter clone stamp. Try different brushes, like a square brush etc. Keep it small. You
can go over the same area more than once to make it better. Follow the
direction of the image (as shown with arrows on image). Scroll out
occasionally to see how the work looks.
Go to menu and click Layer. Select New. Then select Layer, then click
OK, and a blank layer appears in Layers Panel.
Start
your clone on the picture. Then activate the blank layer, and copy the
clone into the blank layer. Why do this? Having the clone appear on a
separate layer lets you adjust the brightness or rotate layer. For
example you are cloning a rounded surface like the edge of a plate.
Using the separate layer trick lets you clone and then rotate to
exactly make a rounded clone. Keep making layers and when done, select
all the layers with mouse click + shift, then right click and choose
Merge Layers. Do not Merge Visible or all layers will be comPaneled into
a single layer. Go to menu, Edit and select Undo as needed.
Use the Blur Tool, Color Burn Tool
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