What’s more, Auto Analyzer also initiates automatic face recognition. Smart Tags identify images by predefined quality (High, Low, or Medium), focus (In Focus or Blurred), the level of contrast, the exposure, the number of faces and/or objects, and so forth.
As soon as you start importing image files, the new Auto Analyzer gets to work, assessing the content of your pictures and applying special keywords, called Smart Tags. On the Windows side, however, is where you’ll find the big news: There, Photoshop Elements’ Organizer tab has several new tools to make keywording your photos much easier, even automated. On the Mac, Photoshop Elements comes with a CS4 Bridge tab for sorting and maintaining your image library. In version 8, Photoshop Elements ($100, $140 with a Plus membership prices as of 9/23/09) offers a handful of new photo editing tools that are useful and fun, but its most compelling improvements are in digital asset management. It delivers Photoshop’s imaging power to consumers and hobbyist photographers in an easy, accessible tabbed interface. Photoshop Elements is a like a family station wagon with a Formula One racing engine under the hood.
