Photoshop Elements can produce effects every bit as good as its big brother. Here's some of the coolest stuff you can do!
(Image credit: Adobe)
The best techniques for Photoshop Elements can produce stunning images and effects that are every bit as impressive as those found in Photoshop CC. And there's a very good reason for this: Elements is built on the same architecture, featuring many of the same tools as its big brother.
The main differences are twofold. Firstly, Photoshop Elements packs that power into a much more user-friendly package – so if you want to achieve great results without diving into maze-like menus and doing endless complicated steps, you can get the results without all the rigmarole.
The second major difference is price; Photoshop CC is only available via a monthly subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud plan, so if you want to use it then you have to keep paying for it. Photoshop Elements 2020 (review), on the other hand, can be bought outright with a single one-off purchase.
So Elements offers power at a competitive price. Photoshop CC certainly has more functionality and plenty of additional tricks that warrant the ongoing price, which is why it's one of the best photo editing software suites.
That said, Elements can do many of the same things and it's so straightforward that anyone can use it. Beyond its automated 'Guided' modes, though, you can unlock even more power by following some bespoke tutorials designed specifically to take advantage of its unique layout and toolset.
Here we've put together a repository of our best tips, tricks and techniques for Photoshop Elements. Bookmark this page and keep coming back as we add more over the coming months!
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.