This book provides a solid foundation to Photoshop Elements 2 (PSE2) and is used as the manual issued for the PSE2 class taught by Joseph at the Alamo PC Learning Center. Author Shane Rebenschied developed the volume with Lynda Weinman, a distinguished web developer and animation artist. Lynda’s name on the cover originally caught Joseph’s interest during his search for a textbook.

The main selection criteria were that the title cover basic through intermediate techniques (including web and photo restoration topics so one book could be used for all class levels – see page 61), have data files available (in this case on an accompanying CD-ROM) for use in the classroom or for self-study, be priced under $40 and provide thorough, yet light reading. The PSE2 H.O.T book fulfilled these requirements and more! Charles DuVal reports “Shane Rebenschied takes one through the exercises with an easy manner of knowledge of the subject, humor, finesse, and down to earth language, illustration, demonstrations, and comments.” The inclusion of color images and attention-grabbing projects makes this book a good value.

Another bonus came by way of demo movies included on the CD-ROM, which include “demonstrations of techniques which are presented in such a way that one feels instructed by an interested instructor, ” according to Charles DuVal. In Betty Child’s opinion, “The most useful feature of the book was I could use the book’s narrative and visuals with the CD. I would then apply the same process on other photos until I felt I could use the process without additional prompting.”

Charles was also impressed by Rebenschied’s use of visuals. “Illustrations are made in an easy to understand manner. Even the text carries one through a procedure as if one were getting one-on-one instructions. Small comments such as: ‘Don’t let this screen intimidate you.’ ‘It’s easy to make mistakes but also easy to correct them’ helps one realize that even an expert doesn’t do everything perfectly and makes the program seem much less intimidating.”

Joseph certainly feels highly of Rebenschied’s creation, “I looked at nearly a dozen titles and nothing came close”. Betty concludes, “While the book does not cover all the tools found in Elements 2, it does provide a good starting place that enables the user to easily go into other features of the program.” Charles adds, “This author is able to incorporate into this manual an astounding number of details. Often an author is so knowledgeable in the subject that he or she assumes that the reader already knows many of the terms, shortcuts, tools, location of program tools, etc. This often leaves the novice reader without a clue as how to follow the offered lesson. This author has been able to place himself in the novices’ frame of mind and offer excellent instructions.”