Filters: Various filters found in most good image editing programs allow you to make drastic changes to a photo in one fell swoop!
Layers: If you work with individual layers, you can alter different parts of the picture without changing the rest of the picture.
Effects: In Photoshop Elements you can apply a wide variety of effects by clicking on the Effects tab at the top and then double click on the effect you work with. Certain effects will only work in specific situations such as text, whole picture or background.
Layer Styles: These features are found in the Layers palette. These effects allow you to bevel edges, drop shadows or make stuff glow. Fun and useful for those creative projects.
Converting Photo to Black & White: Click on this link for a how-to in each popular program.
Colorizing Black & White Images: The best way to do this is to create a separate layer that you will use to color on.
1. In your layer palette click on the little arrow pointing to the left.
2. Choose New Layer.
3. Click ok on the window that pops up (type in a layer name if you want to).
4. Make sure that layer is on top.
5. Choose your paint brush and color for the foreground.
6. Paint the area that you want to color.
7. Adjust the opacity of the new layer to lighten the color.
