Upon launching Photoshop Elements 11, users are greeted with an uncluttered, non-intimidating interface that lets them choose among Quick, Guided, and Expert modes. The Quick mode offers basic editing choices such as Smart Fix, Exposure, Levels, Balance, and more, and within each, a rollover set of live previews shows the effect each choice will have on an image. A slider also offers the available choices.

Photoshop Elements, famous for its guided edits, has added four new ones to version 11. The new Vignette Effect guided edit walks you through a quicker and simpler way of adding and adjusting vignettes.

The new Tilt-Shift guided edit mimics the effect of a tilt-shift lens, which creates a blurring effect. Photoshop Elements 11 helps users achieve this popular look by blurring the top and bottom of a photo so that the subject appears smaller.

Another new guided edit creates High-Key and Low-Key effects, which is often achieved by lighting in the original scene. Photoshop Elements' High Key effect gives a photo a bright, low-contrast look; alternatively, the Low Key effect darkens a photo to add drama and contrast.

New filters in Photoshop Elements let you convert photos into illustrations in various styles, such as comic, graphic novel, and pen and ink.