The Guided mode provides you with guided edits - a wizard-like interface to accomplish certain predefined effects. Each guided edit has an associated image. As you move the mouse horizontally over the image, the portion to the left of the slider displays the image before the effect is applied. The portion to the right of the slider displays the image after the effect is applied.
Use the Black and White Guided Edit on your photographs to create black and white images from colored images. You can apply from a range of black and white presets to create a crisp, black and white photo, or add a diffuse glow effect to the photos to obtain a surreal, dreamy result.
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Note:
If you do not like the effect of a preset, choose another preset. In this step, Photoshop Elements does not apply one preset on top of another. Each time you select a preset, the selected photo is reset to its original state and the preset is applied afresh.
Apply a preset to the photo
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(Optional) If you have a central subject or would like to highlight an aspect of your photo, you can apply a diffused glow. Click the Diffuse Glow button to apply a minimal amount of glow to the photo. To change the diffused glow effect to specific portions of the photo:
- Click Add (to apply diffused glow) or Remove (to remove the effect).
- Choose the size of the brush that will be used to apply the action.
- Choose how hard or soft the glow must be by sliding the Opacity control.
- Paint across portions of the photograph.
Apply the optional diffuse glow
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After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:
- Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
- Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
- Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.
Use the B&W Color Pop Guided Edit to highlight one single color in an image and de-saturate the other colors. You can choose to go with a default color (Red, Yellow, Blue, or Green), or use the options available to refine the effect.
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(Optional) Click Refine Effect, and then add or negate to the B&W Color Pop effect on portions of the photo. The Size slider enables you switch the size of the brush, and the Opacity slider determines the strength of the effect applied.
Use the Refine Effect button for options to view portions of the image in their original color. In this case, the wheels have been restored using the Add button, and setting Opacity to 100%.
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After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:
- Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
- Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
- Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.
Use the Selective Black and White Guided Edit to desaturate the colors of portions of a photograph that you select. When you desaturate portions of a photograph, the other areas of the photograph automatically appear highlighted. After you make selections, you can fine tune your selection.
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Click the B&W Selection Brush. From the available options, choose to either Add or Subtract areas that you would like to conver to black and white. Use the Brush Size slider to determine how much area is affected in strokes across the photograph.
Note:
If you are applying this effect around an object that has multiple, fine edges (for example, hair), click the Refine Edge to further fine tune your selection.
Select the portion that you want to convert to black and white
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After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:
- Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
- Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
- Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

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After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:
- Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
- Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
- Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.
For more information on the features used in this Guided Edit. See Precisely convert to black and white, About Levels adjustments, Add Noise, and Adjust saturation and hue.
Emphasize shadows, highlight edges, and add a dramatic finish to your photographs by applying the low key effect.

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After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:
- Save - Save / Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
- Continue editing - In Quick / In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
- Share - Flickr / Twitter: Choose to place your image online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.
Note:
For best results, avoid skipping a step or performing the steps in a random order.