PS Elements 5.0 - Book or Tutorials?

MOLLYW8 · 05-08-2007, 04:01 PM

Hello, I am new to digital scrapbooking. I just bought the PSE 5.0 program. I've printed a couple of the tutorials here and I'm thinking about signing up for the August 160 class. I wondered if any of you have found a PSE 5 book geared towards scrapping that is helpful or if I should maybe try to print out the tutorials and throw them in a binder instead.

Thanks!
Molly

littlekiwi · 05-08-2007, 09:05 PM

I find unless the book is geared towards digi scrapping then forget it - Computer Tricks for Scrapbookers by Jessica Sprague is good even though it is more for hybrid scrappers. All the techniques have only 3 steps.

*Penny M* · 05-09-2007, 08:22 PM

I never bought a book. I used the tutorials here and enrolled in Emma's class for PSE.

MOLLYW8 · 05-10-2007, 09:22 AM

Thanks for your input. I signed up for three of Emma's upcoming classes & printed a bunch of the tutorials here.
-Molly

beachin · 05-11-2007, 07:39 AM

I went crazy this week looking for just the same thing.

If you want to learn about editing pictures, there are a ton of books out there. Scott Kelby is a good one Philip Andrews is another.

As for finding a book to help you create elements and backgrounds, there isn't one out there to my knowledge that uses Elements 5.

Even on Amazon.com, the books were mostly written in 2004 which didn't do me any good at all.

I think that this is a good cue for a scrapper to write a book. Even if it just covered the basiscs, it would be a best seller!

cats4jan · 05-11-2007, 09:52 AM

Digital Designs for Scrapbooking - Renee Pearson - published by Simple Scrapbooking Magazine

http://www.simplescrapbooksmag.com/s....ihtml?idx=318

http://www.simplescrapbooksmag.com/s....ihtml?idx=549

I saw book 1 at Michaels and it looked very good

It is available at Amazon for the same price

Book 2 does not look like a rehash of book 1 - but rather a step up in difficulty.

Book 2 just came out, so it may not yet be at Michaels or Amazon

beachin · 05-11-2007, 11:59 AM

I don't know about the second in the series, but the first one is for ps3. I don't know what the difference between ps3 & 5 is, but I would hesitate just for that reason before buying it.

It does come with a copy of the trial of ps3, but if you wanted to purchase the program, I think you would have a hard time finding it.

cats4jan · 05-11-2007, 08:15 PM

I use PSE4 and I looked through the book again today, and found the lessons to be mostly generic in scope.

None of the scrapbooking books are actually manuals for Elements or Digital Image.

I learned Elements by working through the lessons in Digital Scrapbooking in Easy Steps - another generic type digital scrapbooking book. After working through the lessons, I finally understood how Elements worked.

The "missing manual" or the "dummies" book specifically written for Elements made no sense until I started working through the projects in the "in easy steps" book - then something "clicked" and I finally figured out how to work in Elements.

I would still recommend the Pearson book as yet another source to learn Elements. I would also recommend the "in easy steps" book by John Slater, but I've had alot of trouble find it lately, so have discontinued recommending it.

lbjiowa · 05-23-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOLLYW8

Hello, I am new to digital scrapbooking. I just bought the PSE 5.0 program. I've printed a couple of the tutorials here and I'm thinking about signing up for the August 160 class. I wondered if any of you have found a PSE 5 book geared towards scrapping that is helpful or if I should maybe try to print out the tutorials and throw them in a binder instead.

Thanks!
Molly

First of all, welcome to the incredible world of digital scrapbooking!!! and welcome to DSP as well.

Secondly, the notes you got on the differences between PSE3, 4 or 5 and how that relates to the tutorials or books ... I've had all three versions and truthfully didn't find any big issues as it relates to applying the materials being taught. You may run across an occasional issue, but I wouldn't let that discourage you...just hope into the forum with THAT particular issue and someone will surely help you out.

Third and this is BIG ... I very HIGHLY recommend any books written by Scott Kelby ... not only that, but I recommend keeping it by your reading chair...He is a HOOT! I can honestly say he is the ONLY author that I can honestly say I read EVERY page of his books...including the credits, intro page, appendices, etc... every word of his writing reads like a conversation with an incredibly funny good friend. My DH is 100% puzzled by my taking Scott's books along with me for 'fun reading' whenever we travel (which is ALOT). I give him a two thumbs up!

Fourthly, (is that a word?!) - there are probably millions of tutorials available on-line ... if you type 'photoshop elements 5 tutorials' into your search engine you'll have enough 'help' to last a lifetime!!! The problem with writing a book specifically for digital scrapbookers is that you'd have to figure us out! Where do you start when you are working with right brained people (as a general rule) ... we tend to be hunt and peck types...following all kinds of rabbit trails...we might start out thinking we want to learn more about that crazy 'gradient' tool and end up somehow figuring out how to make our own brushes ... in some crazy way it would make total sense to another digitscrapper, but to the 'normal' world it would be impossible to explain how that happens. Just enjoy the learning process and do it 'your' way by trying all sorts of sources for tutorials...I have found SO many treasures that way!

*scamptx* · 05-23-2007, 08:50 AM

I'll second what lbjiowa said--I have PSE4, and have books that I have bought that I will thumb through when looking for a particular technique. I search out tutorials here, then on the web, and usually get what I need, but I've learned not to expect to be able to perfect a new technique in a hurry!

The only reason I have not moved up to PSE5 is that I keep reading that it's not a whole lot different, and I'm thinking that if I am as enthused about this a year from now, I might just spring for the big boy-PSCS3.

I have to say that learning the basics for using PSE came from Sara Froehlich’s classes at Eclectic Academy, but then I had never used any kind of photo editing or graphics program. The class is not scrapbook related at all--strictly PSE use.

Welcome aboard! You might find yourself hooked!

MOLLYW8 · 05-23-2007, 10:00 AM

Thanks! I signed up for a few of Emma's classes and I've went through the basic tutorial here about making your first layout. I can tell I am just going to love this! Our local university has night time non-credit classed throughout the year and they have one for digital scrapbooking using PSE! It was $55 though for only 4 sessions and the classed offered here are much more affordable. I think I'll save up and take the class they offer locally that focuses more on the PSE5 program for editing and enhancing photos. DSU doesnt offer that type of a class for PSE5 yet.

I am just so excited to get going! I'm finishing up my big paper album though first (making a complete first year baby book for my little girl that's making her debut in four months). It's a huge book full of journaling spots and places for photos. For her entire first year I'll just have print my pics and stick them in the book, all the pages will already be complete

That should free up a little more time to learn more about digital scrapping (I hope... my hands will be full being a first time mom, but I think I can manage)

Thanks again for the warm welcome and good tips!!
-Molly

lbjiowa · 05-23-2007, 10:12 AM

about your community college digital scrapbooking classes...you might want to ask the instructor for a class outline...the 'class' taught at our community colleges with this same title are VERY introductory...(PSE5) ... basically they run you through the four functional areas of the program (organizer, CD creator, project area, and only very cursory review of the editor...the HEART of PSE) ... other than connecting to some local scrappers (which could be well worth the $55) you'll definately be well beyond what 'our cc' will be teaching so...I recommend you use caution in regards to their classes...check then out thoroughly...

i teach dig scrap in two training centers in iowa and we generally send folks to the community college IF they have absolutely no idea what digital scrapbooking is, have never seen the software, and wouldn't be comfortable doing the 'Product Tour' on their own ... once they've been to the cc class, they are ready for our Introduction to DS class... so ... not sure if that helps, but thought I'd share our experience on that subject...

Emma · 05-23-2007, 11:53 AM

I'm looking forward to havin gyou in class! These classes really are books in themselves, so for the online support you get from the DSU instructors AND the e-book version we provide (which you print), you get over 100 pages of scrapping info on exactly the topic you want. YOu can go back through them just like a book, post layouts in the class gallery even after class is over for instructor feedback: it's just a great value.

I like the Lori Davis/Sally Beacham books, and the Renee Pearson book, and anything by Kelby is great. See you in class soon!

cats4jan · 05-24-2007, 07:56 AM

I found this book that I think will be helpful to you - I've looked it over and I think it does a good job as addressing scrapbooking issues for a beginner:

Digital Designs for Scrapbooking
Renee Pearson
Published by Simple Scrapbooks Magazine

There is a book 2 that just came out - but book 2 looks to be a step up from book 1 - not a redo of book 1. I would buy book 1 first.

The book is well written and easy to follow - it's $20 both at Micheal's and at Amazon.

EDIT

Looks like I've already recommended this book - but it bears repeating. LOL

pahina722 · 05-24-2007, 08:57 PM

I've taken DSU160 with Emma (just finished it in April) and found it EXTREMELY helpful with all the basics. I jumped in immediately and got hooked. It's great having the class atmosphere--having other people trying to figure out the same things at the same times and helping each other out.

I also have and would recommend both of Renee Pearson's books:

Digital Designs for Scrapbooking covers roughly the same things that DSU160 does, but it uses PSE 3.0.(Topics include using templates, building pages using layers, creating simple digital elements, etc.)

Digital Designs for Scrapbooking 2 covers creating your own papers and elements and using brushes. It is written from the perspective of PSE 5.0. Each book comes with a custom kit disc that Renee' uses throughout the text.

Hope this helps!