Photoshop Elements 9 question

[Keethjon]

Hi,

What is the easiest way to lighten the foreground in a sunset photo using Photoshop Elements 9. Also, does anyone know if there is a big difference between Photoshop Elements 9 and Corel Pro Paint for an average user?

Thanks
Keith

[cyber3d]

Hi, so this is the same for PS as it is for PSE.

1. Open the file and protect your self by duplicating the base image. Now, hide the base.
2. Add a regular layer on top. On this layer make a marquee covering the foreground (you may need to feather the edges - how much depends on the image and resolution)
3. Create a black (top) to white (bottom) gradient covering the selection.
4. Change that layer to Overlay and adjust the opacity value from 100 down to 20% or what ever.

You are basically done. However, you may want to save that selection and then adjust your levels for the selection.

Try it and show your before and after.

[dlambert]

If there are specific areas that don't align well with a gradient (as above), you can use a dodging layer to paint in specific areas you want to lighten.

RE: PS-E vs. PSP, I had PSP X2, but jumped on PS-E when I saw it for $60 or so on sale. I wanted to take advantage of Adobe's RAW conversion and noise reduction, which I think are a little better than the ones in PSP, but I think another advantage of being on some version of Photoshop is that you can find tutorials all over the place to do anything under the sun. In most cases, you can figure out how to adapt these techniques to PSP, but it's always easier to have the tutorial map exactly to the software you're using.

[Keethjon]

Thanks for your help guys.

Keith