Rating: 
Summary: Valuable for both the book and the tools
Review: "The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 2" is really two products intertwined into one. The book goes over image editing by first addressing basic cleanup techniques, tone, contrast and sizing. Color editing is developed through RGB separations. Here the real value of Hidden Power comes through: Lynch provides tools (RGB separation, levels) in an included CD that add this capability thought to be available only in the full version of Photoshop.Other topics covered in the book are altering composition, shaping and replacing objects, vector art, printing (tools for CMYK separation are provided,) and web graphics, including animated GIF's. Hidden Power is well written and suitable as both a tutorial and reference.
Rating:
Summary: Valuable for both the book and the tools
Review: "The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 2" is really two products intertwined into one. The book goes over image editing by first addressing basic cleanup techniques, tone, contrast and sizing. Color editing is developed through RGB separations. Here the real value of Hidden Power comes through: Lynch provides tools (RGB separation, levels) in an included CD that add this capability thought to be available only in the full version of Photoshop. Other topics covered in the book are altering composition, shaping and replacing objects, vector art, printing (tools for CMYK separation are provided,) and web graphics, including animated GIF's. Hidden Power is well written and suitable as both a tutorial and reference.
Rating:
Summary: Great text, but not for beginners
Review: Although I haven't viewed all of the PE books, Hidden Power must rank with the best. I have to agree w/ the other reviewers that one must have a understanding of general photographic principles and digital photography. Coupled with the CD, you can treat this as a class or workshop. Each chapter deals with a technique or concept with exercises and examples, with step-by-step instructions. The first five chapters on gradients, histograms, curves and unSharp masks have some of the best explanations I've seen. And the CD alone with "big" Photoshop-like tools may be worth the price alone. If you need a text on PE for photographers, this is it. And if you're new to digital photography, buy a companion intro text recommended by other reviewers.
Rating: 
Summary: HIdden Power of Photoshop Elemsnts 2
Review: Although there is useful information in this book, there were times when I just could not follow the instructions and even found some that were not complete, there were missing steps. Other times I found that there were no examples for what the author was talking about and I was left in the dark. I keep trying, but I always end up with a headache trying to figure out what the author is talking about.
Rating:
Summary: From the Author
Review: Contact information for the author is on the website for the book. The author will gladly help anyone who has any trouble with the installation. Problems are usually minor, having to do with virus protection getting in the way or targeting the wrong directory during install. Contact information is included in the book just for that purpose. As an alternative, search for HiddenElements on Google and you'll find the website for the book lickety-split. A trouble-shooting file can be found on the website as well.
The book has a unique perspective and advanced techniques. It is not just a CD full of tools. Reading the book divulges the password, install instructions and how to use the tools--one does no good without the other.
I encourage people to contact the author through his website, forum and email if there are any problems. Posting a review that admits to not reading the book is hardly a book review at all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I am a rank beginner to Photoshop Elements and photo enhancement. When I first started reading it, I was nearly scared off, as I didn't know what he was talking about most of the time. However, as he kept saying he would explain this later, I trusted that he would and so far I haven't been disappointed. I am in the process of working my way through the book and am learning more than I could imagine. I sometimes have to go through a lesson a few times to get it, but eventually if I follow the instructions closely, I figure it out. If there is something I can't figure out, there is a website... where one can get more information and ask questions. I am fully satisfied that I've gotten my money's worth with this book and the accompanying CD and would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Book on Photoshop Elements 2
Review: I checked this book out of my library as I frequently use Photoshop 7 and Photoshop Elements 2. At first, I thought Elements is very inferior to Photoshop, but I have found ways to overcome its' limitations. That is the entire thrust of this book by Mr. Lynch. He provides detailed explanations and procedures for doing almost anything in Elements 2 you can do in Photoshop 7. Take time to read the book and work the problems chapter by chapter and you will learn a lot about Photoshop and Elements 2. I have six Photoshop Elements books by various authors on my shelf and this book is superior, absolutely the BEST! Along with the book you receive a CD containing Recipes for all the procedures presented in the book. Work through each chapter exercise to gain an understanding of what is being done. Then use the recipes to help you through each procedure next time you use it. Buy this book. You will learn at lot!
Rating: 
Summary: Couldnt get the software to work
Review: I had really high hopes for this book. It was either spend $650 for Photosop CS or the $30 for this book. I have other Elements books that are very helpful. What I wanted out of this book was the ability to do "curves" and "levels".
I received the book and was not able to get the software to open up and install. After emailing the publisher and going through their steps, I was in no better position. I really dont have alot of time to spend trying to rectify a defective product. I also have spoken with some others on various BB's about this and they tell the same story.
I just bought CS and am washing my hands with this product.
***Post note*** I see that Mr Lynch has responded to my review as being a "prank". How condescending! I had emailed him and received NO reply. I received a reply from the publisher and had many conversations with them, but still wasn't able to install the software. Its not that I didnt want the software to work I really did, I was looking forward to having this tool available to me.
I guess that you take your chances with anything you buy now a days.
Rating:
Summary: Richard Lynch
Review: I had some problems with Elements 2 with missing the frame option in the effects palette. Adobe advised me to un-install and re-install the program. When I did that I lost all my hidden power tools etc. Upon trying to re-install them I ran into trouble. I contacted Richard via e-mail and he was kind enough to not only do everything he could to help me by corresponding several times during a single day but when I realized I was using the wrong password he, even then was kind enough to soothe my embarrasement by his comments. I feel Richard really knows what he is doing,however I told him I was a novice and that the book "The Hidden Powers of Photoshop Elements 2" really challanged me. But with all the new tools to use I can definately see improvement in my work. I look forward to whatever he does in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Review: I have learned more from the first few pages of this book than in three years of playing with images in Photoshop and Elements and using my digital camera. I started using the tools immediately after installing them from the CD -- they work right in Elements! The author answered my question about the installation directly. The person in that other review who had difficulty should contact him via the book's website hiddenelements.com, or by email, which you can find on the book's web site. The book starts with a great demonstration of how color works by showing you how to make a color image from some images shot before there was color film! Then you move right along into understanding how to separate channels -- and why you want to. I found that chapter on the Sybex website -- you can read the whole thing right there. It is why I got the book, and then I found what the tools could do! They really make the program much more like Photoshop! The examples in the book really drive the points home. All the images from the examples are on the CD, and the step-by-steps are easy to follow. It has some advanced technique, but it really doesn't seem hard the way the author goes through it. The best is, I have tried th techniques on my images and see immedate improvement. I love this book!
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