Orton Technique with Photoshop Elements 3

I have not been able to Ortonize my photos using the instructions for Photoshop, but I have Elements 3 which is somewhat different. Has anyone adapted the instructions to Elements?

Hi Pat,
I no longer have Elements on my computer so I'm going by memory here. Try this:

open image
duplicate layer (drag to new layer icon in layers palette or go to Layer>duplicate)
change the blending mode to screen. This will accomplish the overexposure that the apply image step does in Darwin's tutorial.
Flatten image by going to Layer>flatten image
duplicate layer as above
apply gaussian blur to the top layer. Use the recommended radius in the tutorial.
change blending mode to multiply

that should do it.

I have PS CS, Elements and Corel PhotoPaint, but the easiest way I've found to implement (or mimic) the Orton technique is through Google's freeware program, Picasa. Under the effects tab, there's a "Glow" function. It's a moderately customizable function and extremely simple to use. After making all desired changes to the image in CS, I launch Picasa, apply the effect and export/save the image. Might be worth checking out....

Rod,
Though I have a lot to learn about Photoshop Elements, I found your instructions very easy - and they worked first time! Thank you very much! Rick, I'll have to look into Picasa - I've heard of it, but never tried it.

Thanks to both of you.

Pat