How do I do this?

I should start by saying that I'm new to this. I have Picasa which I can use very good--you can really work very fast with the basic tools they offer. I also have Elements 5 which is better but more difficult to use. Is it possible to do my basic editing (cropping, straightening, sharpening, saturating) in Picasa and then move the files to Elements for the final tweaking?
Thanks.

irish1 wrote in post #3173313
I should start by saying that I'm new to this. I have Picasa which I can use very good--you can really work very fast with the basic tools they offer. I also have Elements 5 which is better but more difficult to use. Is it possible to do my basic editing (cropping, straightening, sharpening, saturating) in Picasa and then move the files to Elements for the final tweaking?
Thanks.

It is absolutely possible. You can save as jpeg in picasa and then open the jpeg in Photoshop Element. However, there are a few contraints. First, i don't think Picasa allows you to save as high quality jpeg. I don't remember seeing a slider in Picasa that allows you to choose what jpeg quality/compression you want. That means a lot of data is lost when saved in Picasa. Then, when you open the jpeg in PS Element, and save again after more tweaking, more data in the jpeg is lost.
I understand PS Element is not as intuitive as Picasa but I believe if you give it another chance, spend time learning the Cropping tool, Straightening tool, Saturation slider...etc, in Element, it will be just as simple and easy to use. The more familiar you are, the faster you will get, the shorter time your pp becomes.

You're probably right, I should take a class or something. Picasa is so damned easy to use---you crop a picture and it bounces back to the original size, sauration is easy, sharpen by pushing a button---why can't Elements be as easy?

Get photoshop elements 5 for digital photographers by scott kelby. I think its around $20 online and a good read with all the basics and some usefull advanced tips. Easy to read and follow.