The document outlines 8 basic steps for photo editing in Adobe Photoshop Elements 6: 1) Rotate and crop the image, 2) Fix flaws using the clone stamp tool, 3) Expand the tonal range using levels, 4) Add contrast using curves, 5) Adjust color using levels, 6) Improve sharpness with unsharp mask, 7) Save the edited file, and 8) Compare the original and edited images. Each step provides instructions for using specific tools and adjustments to enhance the photo.

1. The 8 Basic Steps to Photo EditingAdobe Photoshop Elements 6Editing an image can be looked at as a series of basic functions or steps that can be accomplished in any editing software program. This tutorial will focus on accomplishing these tasks in Adobe Photoshop Elements version 6.

2. The 8 Basic Steps to Photo EditingStep 1: Rotate and CropStep 2: Fix Flaws using the Clone Stamp ToolStep 3: Expanding the Tonal Range using Image: Adjust: LevelsStep 4: Add Contrast using Image: Adjustments: CurvesStep 5: Adjust Color using LevelsStep 6: Improve Sharpness using UnsharpMaskStep 7: SaveStep 8: Compare

3. Step 1: Rotate and Crop Your first step is to rotate and crop the image. Rotating lets you straighten the image. Cropping gets rid of any image you aren't going to be using. It’s important to rotate then crop!

4. Step 1: Rotate and CropCropRotateChoose Image: CropSelection area will appearDrag the crop tool to the new size you desire then double click area to cropChoose Image, Rotate: Free Rotate LayerGrab the small squares in the corners to rotate imageDouble click in this area to accept the rotation changes

5. You can adjust the size and shape by dragging on the control handles, the small squares located in the corners and on the sides of the crop box. The shaded area indicates what will be cropped out.

6. Reposition the crop box by dragging inside it.

7. To accept the changes click the green check mark at the bottom right.Step 2: Fix Flaws using the Clone Stamp ToolThe Clone Stamp tool lets you fix flaws in an image by painting over them with samples drawn from other areas of the image.Step 1: Choose the Clone Stamp Tool from the Toolbar.

8. Step 3: Expanding the Tonal Range using Image: Adjust: LevelsDigital cameras are limited in the range of colors they can capture. This can be compensated for using the Levels command.Choose Enhance: Adjust: Lighting: Levels. The mountain in the middle of the dialog box is actually called a Historgram. Historgram

9. Step 3: Expanding the Tonal Range using Image: Adjust: LevelsA histogram is a graph of all the tones in the image, ranging from the darkest to the lightest. The triangles beneath the histogram represent the range of colors that the output device is capable of reproducing.

10. Step 3: Expanding the Tonal Range using Image: Adjust: LevelsIn the histogram you typically see a gap in the lighter tones (on the right) and a gap in the dark tones (left). There is no information there for the printer or monitor to use to reproduce these tones. Drag the white triangle towards the left, Drag the black triangle towards the right. Leave the middle triangle alone. Watch the image carefully to see how the adjustment effects it.Light TonesDark Tones

11. Step 4: Add Contrast using Image: Adjustments: CurvesThe Curves command is one of the most powerful features of Photoshop. It allows you to change specific ranges of colors while leaving others untouched. For example, in Step 3 we adjusted the shadows and highlights. They are as we want them to be and we don't want to change them. In this step we will add contrast to the image by adjusting the shadow, highlight and mid tones.

12. Step 4: Add Contrast using Image: Adjustments: CurvesChoose Enhance: Adjust Color: Adjust Color Curves… dialog box opens. The Adjust Color Curves dialog box will appearAdjust Color Curves dialog box

13. Step 4: Add Contrast using Image: Adjustments: CurvesSelect the style of curve that works best from the Select a Style presets.Make additional adjustments by using Adjustment Sliders

14. Step 5: Adjust Color using LevelsWhen colors in an image are shifted towards a color that isn't intentional, this is considered to be a color cast. Fixing a color cast using the Levels palette will be very intuitive.

15. Step 5: Adjust Color using LevelsTarget the specific channel in the Levels palette by choosing it from the drop down menu titled Channel.Click in the middle arrow a drag it up or down, depending on the requirements of the image. For example, if the image is too red, you can target the Red channel and reduce the red by dragging downwards. If the image is too green, you can reduce the amount of green by dragging upwards in the Red channel, or by dragging downwards in the Green channel.Every image will be slightly different, and will often require slight adjustments in all three channels (Red, Green, Blue).

16. Step 6: Improve Sharpness using Unsharp MaskThe final adjustment is to sharpen the image. Every time you scale, rotate, or change the color of an image, you add slight blurring to it. This is in addition to any blurriness that existed in the image before you started working with it. You can compensate for this to a certain degree using the Unsharp Mask filter.Choose Enhance: Unsharp Mask.

17. Step 6: Improve Sharpness using Unsharp MaskThe settings for each image will differ, but generally the Radius and the Threshold will be under 5 pixels, while the Amount will be greater than 50%. Move the sliders for each setting while watching the results in the image. The goal is to make the image appear crisper and less blurry without over-sharpening. Oversharpening can appear as "haloing" or mottling near areas where colors contrast sharply, or as an overall "plasticy" appearance.AmountThresholdRadius

18. Step 7: SaveSave your edits as a new file. By doing this you will preserve the original image. Later, if you determine the edits were not adequate or different edits need to be accomplished, you will have the option to re-edit the original photo.Click Save As, select JPEG as the Format from the Format drop down menuFormat drop downSelect JPEG

19. Step 8: CompareThe last step is to open the original file and the edited file side by side and compare.EditedOriginal

20. The 8 Basic Steps to Photo Editing REVIEWRotate and CropFix FlawsExpanding the Tonal RangeAdd ContrastAdjust ColorImprove SharpnessSaveCompare