Photoshop Elements 2 for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Very Worthwhile but Do Not Start Digital Photography Here
Review: (Based on the Dummies version for Photoshop Elements 1)
This is a wonderful book for explaining the workings of all the amazing tools available with Photoshop Elements -- and a steal at the bargain Amazon price. (How well you get on with Dummies cutesyness is your business).
However, in general it does not give one an overall sense of what makes for good photography with good image-editing. (Exception: with the blur tool it does explain that this can be used to help increase attention to the foreground). You may not be able to see the wood for the trees if you start here.
As a starting point the best book I have found is Bill Corbett, A Simple Guide to Digital Photography, which covers both taking photos and some important uses of Photoshop (notably the key Levels stuff).
I am taking the liberty of posting this against both versions of the Photoshop Elements Dummies book.

Rating:
Summary: Not Dumb Enough
Review: I am a true beginner regarding Photoshop. I was told I could edit my digital photos by using this program and that I could be helped in the process by reading this book. I thought I would get an explanation as to what the artistic possibilites were and how the techniques could be executed via the computer. I am on p. 127 and not able as yet to use much of the information to edit a picture. The author informs about what buttons to click regarding a certain aspect of the program, but he does not offer useful information as to how you can practically use a technique. For instance, I still do not know how to use the color palette even though McClelland explains to you about how to access it. The author also assume a level of computer vocabulary/knowledge. I am a real dummy regarding computers so the explanations are not helpful. The jokes are annoying. I am very frustrated and disappointed by this book.

Rating:
Summary: Don't be a dummy-buy it!
Review: I checked out a lot of books on Photoshop Elements 2 at a bookstore, and this one seemed like the best. So I ordered it from Amazon, and I think I chose right. It's packed full of information for users of all levels, and written in a light, funny tone. Get it-you won't be sorry!

Rating:
Summary: photoshop elements 2 for dummies
Review: I could not find anywhere in the book any good descriptions on using the tools. There is no reference at all to the clone stamp tool. I wanted help with this tool and there were no instructions.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I don't really think of myself as a dummy, but I didn't know anything about this program. This book really helped me get going with it, and my pictures look great now. I recommend this book very highly.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Beginner's Book
Review: I found this to be a good beginner's book. It covers a great deal of basic detail on colors, saving documents in different formats and polishing up photos. It provides a good mix of theory and practicality. My major criticism is that the author's attempts at humor were trite and excessive. Too much space was devoted to feeble attempts at humor instead of more solid information on filters, layers and tools.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Beginner's Book
Review: I found this to be a good beginner's book. It covers a great deal of basic detail on colors, saving documents in different formats and polishing up photos. It provides a good mix of theory and practicality. My major criticism is that the author's attempts at humor were trite and excessive. Too much space was devoted to feeble attempts at humor instead of more solid information on filters, layers and tools.

Rating:
Summary: Try something else...
Review: I have used and enjoyed several "for dummies" books in the (somewhat distant) past. However, I found the amount of "funny" material in this book distracting. I had to skim to get to the information I needed - by buying a Dummies book I was hoping to SAVE time. I am using "The Absolute Beginners Guide to Photoshop Elements 2" instead and find it much more straightforward and helpful.

Rating:
Summary: Much Better Than The Manual
Review: I learned a lot from this book and it really turned Photoshop from something intimidating into a very powerful tool that I now enjoy using. My photos are much better now and my wife is amazed at how well I can salvage seemingly "ruined" pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, great author
Review: I really like Deke McClelland's books. He's a great writer and makes his subject very understandable and approachable. If you're looking for a book to help you get started or move from beginner to intermediate user, I think it's very unlikely you'll find a better book...