Quick Tip #2:
Tutorial #1: Super Simple Photoshop Elements
for the First Timer

If you have never used Adobe Photoshop Elements, I recommend you first watch all three video tutorials. It will build your confidence! Then, install Photoshop Elements (whether you purchase it or use Adobe's free 30-day trial).

If you've printed the free e-book version of the 10 Quick Tips, it will be helpful to have the printed version by your side as you go through the tutorial.

Download the free sample folders available for each tutorial. Use them to create the projects in the videos ... you'll master it in no time! You're on your way to creating your own beautiful pages and albums.

LAYERS. It is important you understand that Photoshop Elements works with Layers. Imagine you are creating a paper scrapbook page. You would have your background paper on the bottom, and then layer your page elements — photos, headlines, and journaling — on top.

In your digital project, you'll also create layers, which you can edit and move separately. The Layers Palette is a list of your page elements, such as photos and headlines. The top element is listed at the top of the Layers Palette; the bottom element is at the bottom of the Layers Palette, and so forth. Within the Palette, you click and drag your element names, to restack the page elements in your layout. In minute you'll understand what I mean. Let's get started!

1. LAUNCH Photoshop Elements. (PC users may be asked whether you want to Organize, Edit, or Create. Select Edit.)

2. In the workspace, you'll see three tabs at the upper right. Select Edit. Along the left is the Tool Panel with the Options Bar along the top. As each tool is selected, the Options Bar will change for that tool.

There are just three essential tools for creating Modern Digital Scrapbook pages: the Move Tool (looks like an X made from two arrows); the Marquee Tool (looks like a rectangle made from a dashed line) and the Type Tool (looks like a capital T).

3. Go to Window> Undo History to open the Undo History Panel, which allows you to undo previous steps. So helpful!

4. You should have downloaded the "Tutorial 1 Project" folder. Make sure you know where it is on your computer. It includes a layered Photoshop Document (PSD) template called "Postcard Template.psd," a photo called "Scooter.jpg," and a page accessory called "Symbols.png."

5. OPEN TEMPLATE. Start by going to File>Open and browse to the Project folder, and Postcard Template.psd. Click Open. Because there is text on the template, and your computer might not have that exact font, you may be asked whether you want the text updated. Click "Yes."

Look at the Layers Panel. The template layers are named with simple directions. The layers on this project include a background, one photo shape, a placeholder for a page accessory, and text including a headline and journaling.

6. SAVE FILE. Go to File>Save As> and name it First Project. It will automatically save in a .psd format, or Photoshop Document.

7. PLACE A PHOTO. Go to File>Open and browse to Scooter.jpg, click Open. Select the Move Tool, and click and drag the photo to your project. Now you'll see an additional layer for the photo called "Layer 2" on your Layers Palette and a tiny image of the photo. In the Layers Palette, make sure your photo layer (Layer 2) is directly above the photo shape layer ("Place Photo Above this Layer"). Close the photo window by clicking in the upper left corner.

8. THE "MAGIC CLICK." Now you're ready to learn the simple action that will allow you to create modern digital scrapbook pages easily. On your project, use the Move Tool to click and drag the photo so it is placed over the photo shape. Don't worry about sizing the photo.

On the Layers Palette, use your mouse to find the line between your photo ("Layer 2") and the photo shape layer ("Place Photo Above This Layer"). On your keyboard, hold down the Option key (PC users hold down ALT key). Now, hover the mouse over this line. An icon of linked circles appears. When it does, click your mouse — and your photo has been trimmed perfectly within the photo shape!

Notice that you can use your mouse to move the photo around within the photo shape. Resize your photo if you like by clicking and dragging the corners. Then click on the green checkmark to confirm sizing and placement.

9. ADD TEXT. Select the Type tool and position the cursor over the word Headline. Highlight the text to be replaced, then type "the adventure begins!" If you like, add a couple of returns and type "save the date 8.16.10."

Highlight the text to change the size, font and alignment in the Options Bar, similar to editing text in other programs.

You can do the same in the Journaling layer. Just click, highlight the text to be replaced, and type whatever you want.

10. ADD PAGE ACCESSORY. Go to File>Open and browse to your Tutorial 1 Project Folder, find "Symbols.png", and hit Open. A PNG file has a transparent background, indicated by the grey checkerboard.

Select the Marquee Tool. On Symbols.png, click near the corner of the exclamation point, hold the button and drag to surround it. It will now be surrounded by a moving dashed line.

Select the Move Tool, and drag the exclamation point onto your layout. Close the PNG window by clicking on the upper right corner.

Resize the accessory by clicking and dragging the corner, and use the Move Tool to position it. Click the green checkmark to confirm.

Notice that within the Layers Palette, there is an icon of an eye to the left of each layer name. Click on the eye icon to turn the layer off and on. It doesn't delete the layer. You'll now want to turn off the page accessory placeholder layer.

11. SAVE PROJECT. Go to File>Save to save it again as a .PSD. Then, to print or share online, go to File>Save As and select JPEG. JPEGs are flat, so the layers become one. You can no longer edit each layer separately. You will use JPEGs to upload for printing and to share online. PC users may be asked whether to save the JPEG as a version of the PSD. Click Yes.

Now you're ready to learn how to create modern digital scrapbook pages!