INTRODUCTION
You can add text to your pictures and create shadows and curves, colors and words.  This lesson assumes that you are reading this on the Web.  You will be using a picture that can be copied.  Click HERE to view the picture > restore (click double squares in upper right corner of browser) > drag the browser window to reveal part of the picture and part of the Desktop > drag picture onto the Desktop.  Minimize the browser.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
Click (or double click) the Photoshop Elements icon on the Desktop.  If the Welcome screen is visible, close it.  Open the Layers palette.  Click the New icon and set Width 7 inches, Height 5 inches and resolution 72 with Contents White.
 
WRITE AND ENHANCE TEXT
Click the Text Tool (Tools bar) > select Boulder size 72 pt > click the color patch (Options menu) and select red > type COOL CLEAR WATER > click the Move tool > position and resize the text in the center of the layer.

Select the Text tool again > click Window (on the Menu bar) + Layer Styles > in the Layer Styles dropdown list select Drop Shadow and select Hard Edge > click any portion of the Layers palette (removes Layer Styles).

Double-click the ball that appears to the right of the text (Layers palette) > move Shadow Distance slider back & forth, stop at about 13 > click the Lighting Angle pointer around, stop at about 120 > click OK.

Click Layer + Flatten Image (becomes Layer 0).  Select the Magic Eraser Tool > be sure Contiguous is unchecked > click inside any of the red letters (all letters are erased).

MOVE IMAGE INTO PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
Restore Photoshop Elements (click double squares in upper right corner) > drag the text layer off center > drag Photoshop Elements to clear a view of the picture file, water.jpg > drag the water layer onto Photoshop Elements > select the Move tool > drag water layer onto the text layer. Rearrange the layers (click title and drag) with the text layer on top followed by the water layer > turn all eyes on.  If you wish to move the water layer, select the Move tool and temporarily turn off the text layer’s eye > click the water layer’s title (becomes active layer) > move the layer > turn on the text layer’s eye.

CONCLUSION
This lesson just touched the surface of the one of many options available for creating text objects on your pictures.  If you were to save, you have a choice:  If future changes are contemplated, save as Photoshop *.PSD, *PDD Layers.  For E-mail or placement in a photo album, “save as” with a *.JPG extension.

GOOD WEB SITES
LEISURE VILLAGE: http://leisurevillage.us and http://leisurevillage.org
BILL’S HOME PAGE: http://bzus.com