PSE-101-WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Here is the first in a series of tutorials for PSE users----
First things first. This tutorial shows you the very basic editing you should do to every photo and layout before doing anything else. You will learn how to adjust your lighting so even photos and layouts taken in darker conditions will be improved. You will also learn to color correct. A must to showcase a layout in it's best form.

Take you layouts from this: (unedited straight from the camera)

 To This ( color corrected and lighting enhanced):

 Take a photo from this:

To This:

Step 1-
Open PSE- It will take over your whole screen. Any time you want to "hide it" just go to the top of your screen PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS > HIDE

Step 2-
Click on FILE>OPEN to open a picture in PSE. (I drag and drop the photos or layouts I am working with onto my desktop so that I can find them easily. I upload my photos into IPHOTO so I always have an original. I never lose anything in PSE if I do it this way. If you have a photo storage program I suggest doing that so you always have a back up)

Step 3-
If your photo needs to be uprighted go to IMAGE>ROTATE> CLICK ON 90- EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (you can click on that as many times as you need to get the photo in the right position)

Step 4- ADJUST YOUR LIGHTING. Click on ENHANCE>ADJUST LIGHTING> ADJUST LEVELS>

 Step 5-

(move your sliders so one is at the beginning and one is at the end of the black scale.)
CLICK OK

Step 6-
COLOR CORRECT:
Click on ENHANCE> ADJUST COLOR> move the little dropper that appears and click on anything black, white or gray. I usually do this a few times until I feel the color is as it should be.

Step 7-
ADJUST LIGHTING AGAIN.
Once I have corrected the color, I go back into my ENHANCE>ADJUST LIGHTING>
and I click on shadows and highlights. I may also adjust the levels again if I think it needs it.

 Step 8-
Lastly, go up to FILE> SAVE AS and again I save to my desktop then file from there.