What is the best book for learning photoshop elements 4.0?

Question

I've gone through three or four photoshop elements 4.0 books, and don't find any of them really that helpful when it comes to explaining anything beyond the basics. (maybe because it's just hard to put together a manual for it). Does anyone have a favorite book or one they think is clear and concise? I've heard "Photoshop Elements 5.0: The Missing Manual" by Bunbridge is excellent, but I don't want to get the new software version just to get the book. I know you can't learn everything from a book, but I'd like to at least have one that was clearly written and illustrated.

Answer 1

I love books written by Scott Kelby.

He is very easy to understand and doesn't leave things out like a lot of books do. There are lots of photos in the book and most are color. I hate books that teach you color techniques and then show them in black and white photos - Doh - his books are all color.

Try this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Elements-Book-Digital-Photographers/dp/0321384830

Answer 2

I find the best way is to just play with it. I learned pretty much everything I know about photoshop by just trying to paint some of my drawings in it.
Also, the versions don't change a whole lot, you could probably learn tonns about 4.0 by reading the 5.0 book.

Answer 3

I learned a lot about P.E. 5.0 by reading parts of "Photoshop Elements 4.0: The Missing Manual." It's excellent. (I never owned 4.0, having skipped that from 3.0 to 5.0, but my sistere gave me the book.)

Answer 4

Here are somethings online that may help: http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/training/pse_videos.html
http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/KSD/IT/wwwdev/photoshop/
http://www.ysmenwestportweston.org/images/PhotoshopElements3and4Tutorial032006.pdf
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/ig/workspace/defaultworkspace.htm
http://simplephotoshop.com/photoshop_elements/interface4.htm
It maybe easier learning online, most of these lessons have great visual examples.