Elements+ for PSE — Tips & Tricks to Speed Up Your Workflow

Boost Your Photos: A Beginner’s Guide to Elements+ for PSE### Introduction

Elements+ for PSE is a set of extensions and presets designed to enhance Adobe Photoshop Elements (PSE) by adding new filters, actions, textures, and workflow shortcuts. For beginners, it opens up professional-looking edits without needing deep technical know-how. This guide walks you through installation, key features, basic workflows, and simple projects to boost your photos quickly.

What Is Elements+ for PSE?

Elements+ is a third-party add-on (or collection of add-ons) built to expand the capabilities of Photoshop Elements. It typically includes:

• Presets for colors, tones, and curves
• Actions that automate multi-step edits
• Textures and overlays for creative effects
• Templates for collages and social posts
• Workflow tools to speed up repetitive tasks

These components let beginners achieve consistent, polished results with minimal manual adjustments.

Installing Elements+ for PSE

1. Download the Elements+ package from the provider’s website.
2. Unzip the downloaded file to a known folder.
3. For presets/filters: copy files into PSE’s Presets or PhotoEffects folders.
4. For actions: load the action files via the Actions panel (Window > Actions).
5. Restart Photoshop Elements to ensure the new resources appear.

Tip: Back up your PSE presets and actions before installing new ones so you can revert if needed.

Getting Familiar with the Interface

Photoshop Elements has two main workspaces useful with Elements+:

• Quick Edit — simplified controls for exposure, color, and effects; great for beginners.
• Expert Edit — full-layer and mask support; necessary for more advanced Elements+ features like textures and composite actions.

Start in Quick Edit to apply presets and then switch to Expert Edit to fine-tune with layers and masks.

Core Features to Use First

• Preset Filters: Apply a preset to get an instant mood (vintage, cinematic, filmic).
• One-Click Actions: Automate tasks like skin smoothing, sharpening, and color grading.
• Overlays & Textures: Add grain, scratches, light leaks, or bokeh to create atmosphere.
• Adjustment Layers: Non-destructive edits for exposure, curves, and color balance.
• Layer Masks: Reveal or hide parts of an effect without erasing pixels.

Quick workflow: Apply a preset → add an overlay on a new layer with blend mode (Soft Light/Overlay) → use a mask to remove effect from faces → adjust opacity.

Simple Step-by-Step Projects

1. Bright & Airy Portrait

   • Open photo in Quick Edit; boost Exposure and Shadows slightly.
   • Apply a soft matte preset from Elements+.
   • Switch to Expert Edit; add a Curves adjustment layer to brighten midtones.
   • Add a layer mask and paint black on areas that should remain contrasty (eyes, hair).
   • Add a subtle vignette.

2. Moody Cinematic Landscape

   • Apply a cinematic color preset.
   • Use an overlay with film grain and set blend mode to Overlay at 40–60% opacity.
   • Use Select > Color Range to isolate sky; apply separate Curves to deepen blues.

3. Vintage Film Look

   • Apply a warm tone preset.
   • Add a texture overlay (scratches) set to Multiply.
   • Reduce saturation slightly and add a soft vignette.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Presets not appearing: Ensure files are in the correct PSE folder and restart the app.
• Actions fail: Check that the action expects layers or channels that differ from your image; try recording a custom action on a sample image.
• Slow performance: Reduce image resolution while editing; enable GPU acceleration if available; close other apps.

Tips to Develop Your Style

• Use presets as starting points, not final steps. Tweak sliders to match your image.
• Create a personal preset set for consistent edits across a project.
• Keep an “effects” layer group with named layers (grain, color grade, vignette) so you can toggle and adjust easily.
• Study before/after comparisons to learn which adjustments have the most impact.

When to Move Beyond Elements+

Elements+ is great for rapid improvements and learning, but consider moving to full Photoshop if you need:

• Advanced compositing or complex layer masks
• High-end retouching (frequency separation, dodge & burn)
• Professional printing workflows and color management

Resources & Learning

• Official Elements+ documentation (follow install and compatibility notes).
• PSE tutorials on layers, masks, and adjustment layers to maximize Elements+.
• Community forums and YouTube channels for preset-specific walkthroughs.

Conclusion

Using Elements+ for PSE lets beginners produce polished, creative photos quickly. Start with presets and one-click actions, learn a few layer and masking basics, and build a simple workflow. Over time you’ll customize presets and combine effects to develop a consistent photographic style.