Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows: The Missing Manual

Rotating Images

Owners of print photographs aren't the only ones who sometimes need a little help straightening their pictures. Digital photos sometimes have to be rotated because some cameras don't include data in their image files that tells Elements (or any other image-editing program) the correct orientation. Certain cameras, for example, send portrait-orientated photos out on their sides, and it's up to you to straighten things out.

Fortunately, Elements has rotation commands just about everywhere you go. If all you need to do is get Dad off his back and stand him upright, here's a list of where you can perform a quick 90-degree rotation on any open photo:

• Quick Fix (Adding Canvas). Click either of the Rotation buttons at the bottom of the preview area.

• Full Edit. Go to Image → Rotate → 90° Left (or Right).

• Project bin. Right-click a thumbnail and choose Rotate 90° Left (or Right).

• Raw Converter (Using the Raw Converter). Click the left or right arrow at the top of the Preview window.

• Organizer (Using the Organizer). You can rotate a photo almost anytime in the Organizer by pressing Ctrl plus the left or right arrow key. You can also choose Edit → Rotate 90° Left (or Right). There are Rotate buttons at the top of the Quick Edit panel in Full Screen view (Full Screen view). Finally, there's a pair of Rotate buttons at the top of the Media Browser window.

Those commands all get you one-click, 90-degree changes. But Elements has all sorts of other rotational tricks up its sleeve, as ...