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Best way to learn Photoshop?

&DigitalFX
10/01/05 3:29 AM GMT
It seems to me that Photoshop, Photopaint, PSP and possibly Fireworks are very important to our work here. They are all very deep and complex applications. I've noticed that many people who have, say Photoshop, seem to have very little idea of what it can do or how to use it. I have a theory that most of us don't like reading instructions, or investing in books. But the joy of really learning how to use these applications is very real and the results from those of you who do know how are far superior in general. I'd like to know how people go about learning Photoshop or any of the others. I suspect Fireworks will be blended into the next version of Photoshop as Adobe has, as I understand it, taken over Macromedia. Please tell us how you learned and please feel free to make suggestions to the rest of us.
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MiLo_Anderson
10/01/05 6:22 AM GMT
I have learned by playing. Although that is not a very quick or effecient way of learning. I have also picked up some stuff from talking with other people who are better at then i am.
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"A piece of toast with butter always lands butter side down, and a cat always lands on its feet. What happens if a piece of toast is tied butter side down to the back of falling cat? Does it hover above the ground in perpetual indecision?"
&Crusader
10/01/05 6:59 AM GMT
Well, I found online tutorials pretty useful when I first got started with Photoshop. You can find tutorials of pretty much anything you might want to achieve online.
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::kodo34
10/01/05 7:59 AM GMT
At first by playing with it , but after realizing that i wasn't making much progress , oline tutorials and a book. Still learing.
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have a nice day and read more fantasy.
::philcUK
10/01/05 2:02 PM GMT
Adobe is well suited to Macromedia in that they both have the same knack of trying to fix things that aren’t broken. By that I mean they constantly add to already very excellent pieces of software and to avoid the UI getting over complicated tend to bury lots of its features away.

I recall I once posted somewhere on here that I believed (through 20 years of accumulated image retouching experience) that in its latest incarnation, Photoshop was really the only image editing program you would ever need. Someone hastily retorted that this wasn’t the case as it couldn’t do this, that and the other. The simple fact is that it could do everything they had said and more besides, it’s just that unlike many programs, Photoshop doesn’t really cater to the one click fix market and you kind of have to work at it a bit. If there isn’t a particular feature there, 99% of the time it can be added to or improved by one of the tens of thousands of third party plugins available for it.

My point being here that, unfortunately, there is no quick solution to learning all of Photoshop’s innumerate talents other than slogging away at it and practising. The many official and third party books and manuals generally only scratch the surface and tend to point you in the right directions as going into any kind of exhaustive breakdown would be unfeasible.

As far as product line merging goes – you’re pretty safe for the moment at least. Macromedia have just launched Studio 8 which will probably have a good couple of years in it. Looking objectively at the line it would be sensible for there to be casualties in both camps. Adobe, if they had any sense, would loose their SVG and GoLive products in favour of their Macromedia brethren. Similarly, Macromedia should loose their Fireworks and Freehand software which would conflict with superior Adobe packages. Personally I would love to see them all rebranded and offered as an all encompassing studio package offering a complete web and print solution in one although I suspect that this will not happen and will more likely remain as the current separate web and print studio sets.
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
::philcUK
10/01/05 2:03 PM GMT
ooops - sorry for the slightly hefty post :-)
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
&DigitalFX
10/01/05 2:49 PM GMT
Phil you have such a way with words <grin>. I'm finding that some of the DVD training series are very helpful. Some are just awful. I think I may post some reviews here. I'm finding that after working with Photoshop since the begining, I'm amazed at what it can do after viewing one of these training courses on my computer.
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::nmsmith
10/01/05 3:07 PM GMT
Ben Willmore wrote a book called Photoshop Studio Techniques that's excellent. All my Photoshop learning has been through reading and experimenting on my own. I've been using Photoshop since version 1 many years ago. It's a complex program that has many functions I still need to learn. (Read Phil's comments above about slogging away at it)
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::dreamer100
10/01/05 8:09 PM GMT
DVD trainig series Peter? Link please?
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+camerahound
10/01/05 9:15 PM GMT
I have this friend called Peter*, and he's pretty heplful from time to time. He actually knows what he's doing, but insists I read the instructions from time to time.

*AKA DigitalFX
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Thinking: that annoying addiction between naps.
&DigitalFX
10/02/05 12:54 AM GMT
<grin>

As to DVD training links for Photoshop, I'll give you two. One is for The very best I've found by Deke McClelland. We used to share the same publisher for years but honestly he's excellent. Total Training is the outfit at http://www.totaltraining.com/prod/adobe/photoshopcs2.asp?mscsid=

Note if you go to the main page at Total Training you can find training for earlier versions as well.

the full course is about $300.00. I'm currently doing the Advanced Course which is$149.00, but you should have a grasp.

Also I have a good training DVD From VASS Training from Richard Harrington. Here's the link www.vasst.com and search for Photoshop they have a variety of dvd training disks available.
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prismmagic
10/02/05 4:39 AM GMT
I really think that Photoshop, Photo paint, PSP are the easy ones to learn but it also depends on what you want to do with it. Macromedia is some what simple to. But I do agree with Phil on the issue on how Adobe and Macromedia are always trying to fix something that really wasn’t brook. I just hope that Adobe won’t screw with Macromedia to much. I get really tired of there face lifts and then want to charge you $900.00 for a new program that just has a few more filters added to it.

I have been studding the harder ones off and on for the last two years. I am finally breaking down and going to take the 362 hour Corel course. Corel is an endless program with an endless number of abilities. Its size is over whelming. A friend of mine compares it to going from HTML to DOT.NET programming. Once I learn the whole sweet which I use on occasion I will most likely dump PS for good.
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Art is the perception of the creator. Meaning is the perception of the viewer. acceptance is the perception of society.
::CaptainHero
10/02/05 10:21 AM GMT
I've found that when you want to achieve a particular objective with photoshop, you just do an online search for tutorials - there are many of them. Over time you then build up a portfolio of skills. There's no quick way - there are myriad levels to these programs like an onion skin.

Many people probably 'obtain' photoshop (not necessarily legally) because it's the program to have, and then barely scratch the skin. I know I still have a long way to go.
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
&DigitalFX
10/02/05 9:00 PM GMT
Prismagic, were you referring to Photopaint or the entire Corel Suite? Remeber that Photoshop CS is only a small part of th entire CS Media suite which includes such things as GoLive and Illustrator and much more. If you already have Photoshop, you might be amazed at what you can do with it. I mean I certainly have been lately as my learning progresses. But I do agree with you that we need to pick our standard application and learn it in depth. My problem is that I have to stay on top of most of them for my job. It's tedious and difficult. I'd prefer to just have to cope with PS.
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heidlerr
10/02/05 10:08 PM GMT
Explore the software feature and try to understand what effects they give. Review tutorials on the web then practice, practice and practice some more. Let your creativity find it's own path. Build on what others have done but develop your own style.
Russ
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No image should ever be given a zero. You are insulting the efforts of people trying to learn. Mr. Russ
prismmagic
10/03/05 3:34 AM GMT
The 362 hour course is for the full Corel Suite. I already have the rave, capture and trace pretty much down with about 40 % of paint, I just recently started on the draw side. The full suite program is just so darn big. I’ve learned what I know so far on suite 11.
I just recently took a nine week course of the photo shop suite CS8 to get the fine tuning down at in Orange County over the summer.

I also took the full macro media MX Pro Studio in a nine week course with ROP. It was ok but the teacher was a little to be desired. I was ahead of class by three projects, by the end of the fourth week. But when get board I jump ahead of a class. I wish he would have spent more on fire works.

I do find flash is a better tool then image ready.
Right now I’m three weeks into an HTML, HTML-XML Class for this semester. And will be into Java Script by next semester.

Next year I am going to take four courses, Web development programming, and advanced DIG photography to brush up, 2D/3D Cad and start in on dot net. In 2007 I will hopefully start virtual studio.
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Art is the perception of the creator. Meaning is the perception of the viewer. acceptance is the perception of society.
&DigitalFX
10/03/05 10:04 PM GMT
Wow, Priz, I'm impressed with your effort. You are very talented to start with, so with all that training you'll be able to express all that visual senisitivity and vision you have. Seriously, I love your work.
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&DigitalFX
10/03/05 10:09 PM GMT
Russ, you way works to a degree, but the way these suites are designed, you'll be messing a ton of features and short cuts as well as new workflows. I totally agree on developing your own style. As you can see from my gallery, I'm still exploring style issues. I have difficulty sticking to one style, but I think it's a good thing to stick a bit because it gives one's work an identity.
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prismmagic
10/03/05 10:21 PM GMT

Thanks Peter I don’t think it even compares to your work but I will get better the more I learn.
For the last 18 years I was a single and I put a lot on hold for my kids to have as good a life as possible. So I decided to go back to school and put the effort out for myself now. I plan on even going back to finish my bachelors in engineering which should take 11/2 years. But all in all when I’m done I will have three degrees by 2008.

So back to the subject, what do you think of the Corel suite verses the Photo Shop suite.
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Art is the perception of the creator. Meaning is the perception of the viewer. acceptance is the perception of society.
&DigitalFX
10/04/05 4:35 AM GMT
First, I don't consider myself any more talented than you are. Second, I love Corel Suite. It's well designed, doesn't crash much and has a ton of extras usually thrown in. Like the Xaos plugins...I don't know if they still include it, but it was very helpful and expensive to buy. I think Corel Draw is unique and it was the first drawing package I learned many years ago. It's ablility to manipulate text is exceptional and when you learn the techniques, you can produce awesome art with it.
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prismmagic
10/04/05 4:43 AM GMT
When I was given corel the first time if you know waht I mean. It was Corel 9 I was blown away by the size and ability of the program. When I could aford it, I went out and purchased 11 at a woppinhg eleven hundred. What I have learned so far is very cool. I have to a agree with you, it has a lot of perks!
But I have to admit when I first opened 9 for the first time I was intimitated.

Oh and by the way we can compliment each other all day, but your better, and I can only hope to grow up to be as good as you. LOL
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Art is the perception of the creator. Meaning is the perception of the viewer. acceptance is the perception of society.
::verenabloo
10/05/05 9:29 PM GMT
$1100.00 ?!!??....my gosh I sure hope you make money by having such an expensive program....it is just a bit steep for simple people like me...whew...
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Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures!!
::fotobob
10/13/05 2:47 PM GMT
I am a certified instructor of the old Photoshop 5.5 and 6. Both are now history but the new versions are just upgrdes to the older versions. If feel that I have learned more about the tools and techniques from a book that is published monthly in England. Digital Photo comes with a CD attached to it that is loadeed with lessons, techniques, how too's and even some free items such a textures or borders. The same instructors are there every month with projects that allow you to work along with them. Some are very basic for advanced users and some are more complex. The brits have their own metnhods of using the tools and I believe that they make more sense wih their techniques than us. I say this with all due espect to my teachers and he certificaito boards that I have met. The book is not cheap, aout $12.50 a month but that is cheaper than any lessons or book full of pictures that have no guidance. I purchase my Didital Photo magazines at my local newsstand or at my local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Check wih them . If they do not carry it request that they do. I now have 21/2 years worth of their subscriptions and am looking forward to next months already.DO NOT BE CONFUSED BY OTHER BOOKS BEARING LKE NAMES SUCH AS DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY OR EASY DIGITAL PHOTO. You are looking for DIGITAL PHOTO. If you need more informatom E-Mail me and I will send you a cover copy of the magazine.
fotobob


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Annie and I invite you to visit our website. Photography is not a trade - it is an art. It is more that an art. It is a solar phenomenon, where the artist collaborates with the sun. deLamartine 1855
&DigitalFX
10/13/05 3:09 PM GMT
I really appreciate this line of information. Does anybody mind if I quote you in one of my pieces at STUDIO/monthly in New York?
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::fotobob
10/13/05 5:19 PM GMT
I have no objection
fotobob
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Annie and I invite you to visit our website. Photography is not a trade - it is an art. It is more that an art. It is a solar phenomenon, where the artist collaborates with the sun. deLamartine 1855
::verenabloo
10/13/05 10:19 PM GMT
I was able to get the book "How to Use Adobe Photoshop 6" written by Daniel Geordan. I guess I'll work with that for now. And eventually check about the magazine you spoke of. I was advised by a good f riend that it would be best to get that book to go right along with my Adobe Photoshop6. I was actually able to find one in Ebay...which had a good price..affordable to me...thanx so much for the info Robert...
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Never stop doing the thing you love...
loreta
10/18/05 2:46 PM GMT
Where could i get an instruction how to make the wallpapers by Paint Shop Pro 9?
Please please please....
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&DigitalFX
10/19/05 5:16 PM GMT
Loreta,
You can find some tutorials here: http://www.pinoy7.com/

...then you can google thousands of them. You just need to spend the time to work through them. These wall papers are not usually difficult, but the do take talent and skill at using the tools. All that takes a bit of time.
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loreta
10/20/05 10:34 AM GMT
Thanks! ;)
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::Nikoli
10/21/05 11:54 PM GMT
We all have to start somewhere. Lets face it us blokes never read a manual from programming a VCR to Java. Deep end first swim to survive or admit defeat. I have just started on CS2 and the mind boggles, all I want to do is play and have fun!!!!!!!! I dont do this for a living but for myself. At least with Adobe it is very mildly self explanatary to a degree. However it's depth and complexety involve time and effort. Only time will see what else comes along to challenge it. With people like yourself Peter being obvious purveyors of the level of attainment we all want you are @ the best vantage point to guide and direct. It's a powerfull position. Nik ;-)
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Everything that deceives may be said to enchant.
&DigitalFX
10/22/05 6:08 PM GMT
All I can say Kikoli is that -- since I hate to read instruction -- the DVD training pushes me to learn more and better technique in vastly less time. Also, I would NEVER have known to bump an image up from 8 bits to 16, then do my manipulations, then bring it back down to 8 bits to achieve MUCH better/smoother level manipulation results. Also the new CS2 has made some serious changes in the Layers panel. the DVD really helped out there. I don't sell these things, just appreciate how they help a dyslexic bloke like me akshully learn stuff. I think Deke McClland is one of the very best. Also since I review a lot of this stuff for my magazines, I can tell you that Total Training in general is one of the best.
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::Nikoli
10/22/05 6:40 PM GMT
Touchee Peter Touchee. However in hindsight yes I could of learnt from it however you have provided me with exellent information. The crux of the situation is time, I have hardly any in respect of me being inexperienced I will take your views on board and learn from the areas I have for improvement. Thankyou for your input. As always stay safe & well Nik ;-)
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Everything that deceives may be said to enchant.
vigorotaku
12/10/10 4:05 PM GMT
Learning photoshop is fun and challenging. The best way that I have found to learn is through apprenticeship and classes. Since we are all short on time and money right now I posted some of the best videos and books that I have learned from on vigorotaku.blogspot.com There is a lot out there and these are some of the best!

I hope that this helps.

http://vigorotaku.blogspot.com/2010/11/best-way-to-learn-photography.html
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