I’ve had thousands of people read and share my post series “Growing Your Blog with Pinterest: The Ultimate Guide” – and most of what I’ve written has been about content: how to write posts that are helpful to readers, so they’ll want to share them with others.
But these posts have overlooked one critical thing: Pinterest is about the images.
I’m fully aware that not everyone is a designer, but everyone can use professional tools to “step up their game” and make their blog posts sparkle. That’s why I’m starting a post series on Photoshop Elements for Bloggers. This series will take you from Zero to Proficient in Photoshop Elements, with a focus on integrating words and images.
Why Elements?
Everyone knows about Photoshop, the professional grade tool for manipulating images. I use it for my blog and web design work every day. But not everyone has $480 to shell out for a copy of Photoshop.
Enter…Elements. It’s a step down from Photoshop in terms of functionality, but it does everything a regular blogger would ever dream of – and more. The price tag is the best part. At around $80, it’s definitely an investment, but it won’t break the bank.
A Project Based Approach
While it may be nice to have an encyclopedic reference at your disposal, like “How to do everything you ever dreamed with Photoshop Elements,” most of us simply don’t have the time to dedicate to reading a 200 page owner’s manual…and then figuring out how to apply it to what we really want to do.
I’m here to give you the basics. To go step-by-step through creating images that will make your posts sparkle, so you can be proud of everything you’re publishing on your blog.
Lessons in this Series (so far!)
- Introduction: Welcome to Photoshop Elements for Bloggers!
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the Elements Organizer
- Lesson 2: Organizer Tips for Bloggers
- Lesson 3: Getting to Know the Elements Editor
- Lesson 4: How to Crop + Resize Photos for Your Blog
- Lesson 5: How to Resize Multiple Photos (at one time!)
- Lesson 6: All About Layers
- Lesson 7: Basic Photo Edits: Removing Color Cast
- Lesson 8: Basic Photo Edits: Adjusting Levels
- Lesson 9: Basic Photo Edits: Touch-Ups (whitening teeth, fixing under-eye circles)
- Lesson 10: Sharpening Your Photos
- Lesson 11: Adding Text to Photos
- Lesson 12: Watermarking Your Images
- Lesson 13: Workflow Overview
- Lesson 14: Creating a Photo Collage
- Lesson 15: Using Actions as Shortcuts
- Lesson 16+: TBA
How do I sign up?
I want to make this series accessible to everyone who wants to join in. If you’ll do these three things, you’ll stay in the loop with every new post as they’re published, plus you’ll know about everything else that’s going on here:
- Pin this post (via the image above) to let other bloggers know about this workshop.
- Subscribe to my mailing list and get lots of fun (and FREE) tips for growing your blog while staying true to your personal style. Don’t worry, I hate spam too.
- “Like” my Facebook Page and write a quick note to let me know you’re on board.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. It’s free.
What do I need to participate?
Just a copy of Photoshop Elements installed on your computer. If you already have it, then great! Just join in. If not, you’ll need a copy of the program and I’d appreciate you using my affiliate link to purchase it. It’s the cheapest price you’ll find, and it helps me out as well.
(BTW – I’ll be using Elements 10, though if you have a copy that’s a few years old, it should work fine as well. A few people have asked about Elements 11, which just came out in October. I’m sure that for the features I’ll be teaching, there won’t be a noticeable difference between 10 and 11.)
Questions? Comments?
Drop me a note in the comments below or leave a note on my Facebook page. Definitely let me know if there’s a specific skill you’d like to learn. I can’t wait to work with you!
Twitter: jimmiescollage
says:
I still can’t decide if I should bite the bullet and buy Photoshop Elements or just try to keep muddling through with GIMP. It is working for me so far.
Jimmie Lanley recently posted..Teach Your Child Piano Improv in 4 Easy Steps
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
You know, if you have something that’s already working for you, I’d say stick with that. No need to spend money if you’ve already got a plan.
Twitter: ichoosejoynow
says:
I’ve been trying to figure out if I should buy Elements 10 or 11. I think I’ve decided on 11. So, I hope it still works with your workshop!
–Gena
Gena recently posted..I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 1
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
I’m sure that for the skills I’m teaching, there won’t be a noticeable change between Elements 10 and 11. Do you know when it comes out? I know it’s available for preorder now.
Twitter: ichoosejoynow
says:
One website said they would be shipping mid-October. So, I assume the same applies for Amazon.
Gena recently posted..I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 1
I can’t wait for your class to begin, Jeni. I have Photoshop Elements but don’t have a clue how to use it. Thanks so much for offering this.
Cathy at Wives with Knives recently posted..Muy Bueno Cookbook Cook-Off ~ Coconut Flan
I’m so excited about this…finally Elements for BLOGGERS…thanks, Jeni!
Twitter: christmomblog
says:
Excellent! I’m really looking forward to this series. We use Photoshop Elements all the time, so I’d love to pick up some new tips and tricks. Recently found your blog, and have gotten lost in it several times (in a good way of course!).
Leigh Ann recently posted..How to Add a Pin It Button to Your WordPress Blog’s Images
Twitter: Lori BieseckeInMyKitchenInMy
says:
Sounds like a useful series. Thank you very much for the work you will put into it!
Lori recently posted..Past Blast: Alley Cat
Twitter: thispuglife
says:
Looking forward to this. Thank you for taking the time to put it together!
Andrea recently posted..Clever Wardrobe Challenge (Step 2)
Twitter: gypsyforest
says:
I’m looking forward to it!
stephinie recently posted..kcwc fall 2012 – sharing day one
hi, i’m very interested in this series. i think i have elements 9. i signed up for the mailer, but don’t do facebook..! hoping i can still participate!
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Beth, you’ll definitely be able to follow along. All the videos will be posted here on my blog, and you’ll get word about new posts via my mailing list. So glad you can join us!
Twitter: HomeschoolMo
says:
I own both Photoshop and Elements, but use Elements way more. I’ve been trying to decide if I should make an investment in Photoshop and take an actual class or not. Then Elements 11 came out and I’ve heard it has some big changes, such that Elements may be all I need… Hopefully your tutorials will help me make this decision. I’d rather stick with Elements, Photoshop is just so overwhelming….
Maureen Sklaroff recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal–Adapting to a New Schedule
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Maureen, my opinion is that for bloggers, Elements now does anything you’d want to do – and more.
The two big differences between Elements and full Photoshop now are: 1) Elements doesn’t let you create in the CMYK color mode, which is used for professional grade printing (like they would do at a publisher) and 2) Photoshop has lots of features for creating 3D graphics. As a blog designer, I don’t even use the most advanced features of Photoshop. Hopefully you’ll get enough info from the workshop to make your choice – although if you’re looking for courses specifically on Photoshop, both Tuts+ and Nicole’s Classes have some good ones. Thanks for following along!
Hi Jeni,
I’m jumping into the Photoshop course late…but I’m looking forward to getting started!
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Zandra, welcome! Hope you find lots of useful information; let me know if there are any specifics you’d like to see covered.
Twitter: jimmiescollage
says:
Jeni! Elements 11 is on sale for half off today (Black Friday sale, I assume). I snatched it up. What a steal!
Jimmie recently posted..What to Bring a Teen Who is in the Hospital or Recuperating
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Awesome! Thanks for the tip! Looks like you may be joining us after all.
Twitter: becomingjoyful
says:
Hi Jeni! Just found your blog today and am really looking forward to this series! One thing I’d love to know more about is how to optimize sharpness/focus in elements.
Patti recently posted..When You Long to Capture Light
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Patti, so glad you’ll be joining us! I’ll put that on my to do list.
Twitter: thecatholiccoup
says:
I can’t wait! I have been trying to figure this out and getting so lost!
Beth Anne recently posted..Christmas Decor Link-UP
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Beth Anne, thanks for your note! I’m glad you’ll be joining us for Elements for Bloggers. If you come across anything that isn’t clear, please leave a comment on the lesson and I’ll be right over.
Twitter: hallecottis
says:
I am new to your blog and I just love all this great information! Thank you!! I use aperture right now and have photoshop elements but that is a foreign language to me. Can’t wait to understand it with your new series!
Halle recently posted..Organic Flourless Peanut Butter & Jelly Pancake Recipe {Gluten Free & Grain Free}
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Halle, thanks for your note. I hope the series helps iron things out for you a bit with Elements. And if you enjoy it, I always appreciate shares.
Welcome!
Serendipity…I randomly stumbled on your blog the day after I purchased Elements 11. And the night I was “going to figure it out.” Ha! I had an old copy of Photoshop CS3 that was never used because frankly I had no idea how to do anything besides some actions I downloaded. I am already through three lessons and wanted to thank you for this workshop as I am already more comfortable and know this will make a huge difference on my blog.
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
That’s great news, Jenny. I’m glad you’ll be joining us – we’re just now getting to the good stuff.
I think I am going to jump in with both feet…I have been trying to use GIMP and haven’t had any good results with it. I want to take my hand drawn images and do more with them in Elements. Do you think that’s possible?
Adrianne Meldrum recently posted..Gamification Tips for Motivation!
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Adrianne, so glad to have you! Elements is far easier to use than GIMP (that’s what I started out on myself), and it’s great for working with photos and creating web graphics. If you’re using hand drawn images, you may want to think about taking the plunge and learning Adobe Illustrator – that’s really what it’s designed to do. It costs a lot more than Elements, but if it’s something you’re interested in pursuing, let me know and I’ll send you some resources for where to learn Illustrator. Hope you enjoy the lessons!
Hi Jeni,
I’m still a little confused over how to decide what size and resolution my photos should be, especially since it seems like each photo might be different, depending on how much space i have for it on my blog. For example, in the tutorial, you chose a width of 620 pixels but I wouldn’t know how to guess at a good number like that to begin with. What do you think of the free image compression tools like WebResizer or Smush.it for single photos or iResize for compressing photos in bulk?
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Zandra, if you vary the size of the photos on your blog, then you might be better served to resize them individually, based on your needs. The reason I say “620″ in my tutorial is that that’s the width of my content column. There has been a trend in blogging in the last 2-3 years to have huge photos and maximize your horizontal space, so lots of folks just do full width for all their photos. Small Things is one example. For resolution, however, you can do 72dpi/ppi for all your photos. That’s standard resolution for computer screens. Feel free to use whatever tools work best for you; I’m just giving the options in Elements because that’s the focus of this course.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, Jeni! I’ll look into the width of my content. I’m not sure what it is. (I love the course…you are wonderful!)
Zandra
Twitter: prpledragonfli
says:
I actually have Photoshop (snagged a copy from my brother years ago) but have no idea how to use it. Is Elements completely different? Would I be able to use any of your workshop on Photoshop itself?? Do you have any tutorials for Photoshop??
Thanks so much!!
Jena
Twitter: theblogmaven
says:
Hi Jena, they’re not so different…but it also depends on which release of Photoshop you have. You’d want to skip over all the parts that talk about the Organizer, as Photoshop doesn’t have this. But the basic principles apply to both programs. …and no, I don’t have any Photoshop tutorials. My readers are primarily bloggers, and this series is a “favor” to the blogging community to help folks step up their game for Pinterest. But hopefully you can still find some useful material here!
Twitter: isaiascv
says:
Thank you, very much. It’s will help me.
God bless you and do to you everything that i can’t do
(Y)
Isaias Cardoso recently posted..A verdade sobre Sites PTC: furadas