How did you learn Photoshop?

[scottiex2]

(or any other post photography programs?)

As a beginner I have just begun to experiment
with Photoshop/Elements and was wondering if
taking classes is the best way to learn it. There seems to be a ton of on line tutorials on it, but it is difficult to distinguish what is worthwhile, from what is not.

I am trying to figure out what post processing really is. Is it to correct and enhance a photograph or is it to use it as an image in which to create other realities ...or possibly "digital art"?

Is there, or should there be a fine line between
post processing and digital art?

Sorry for so many questions. Trying to make sense of all of this.

Thanks
Jane

[Buddy4344]

I have never taken a class, but I understand they show you a lot in a short time, so memory is tough. I learned by a lot of ways, but if I were beginning, first thing I would do is search out some tutorials on YouTube, it's a great source. Also search within Adobe as they have a number of tutorial videos. Once you progress a little, I would suggest buying 'Scott Kelby's 7 secrets' . It is a workbook type format and comes with a link to download the images you process as you go throught the book. I still use it as a reference ... and I am fairly advanced.

[SMcEvoy]

I'm self taught too - although it took my 10-year-old to figure out masking layers for me! She manipulates photos into digital art far better than I do! This site has lots of videos and written tutorials for Photoshop Elements http://www.alibony.com/pse/index.php At the top of each one it tells you which version of PS Elements it's using - most of the current versions (5, 6 & 7) will have similar steps, if not identical.

My most used tools are crop, resize, spot healing brush, clone stamp, levels, contrast and colour correction and the occasional dodge & burn (more burning).

To grab part of the photo and decolour it, I use the magic wand or quick select tool to highlight the object I want to keep coloured, I then inverse the selection (Select, Inverse) and convert the rest of it to black and white. e.g. http://www.photoswithfinesse.com/Ima...dra_0039a.htm. Sometimes it's easier to select a plain background than the detailed subjects and this tool comes in really handy.

I occasionally use filters if I'm looking for a specific effect e.g. Guassian Blur or Twirl. This was done with a Twirl filter. http://www.photoswithfinesse.com/Ima...mark_0321b.htm

I'd pick up one of your photos then play - see what each tool does. I've experimented many a time! I fell into the Lighting Effects filter by accident and use the spotlight quite often now: http://photoswithfinesse.com/Images/...-spotlight.htm

The help feature of elements is also pretty good - I've used it lots!

As for manipulation of photography vs. digital art, basic adjustments such as saturation, levels, exposures, contrast, dodging/burning, cropping and the odd clone out of a dust spot or infringing branch all fall into 'photography' - generally traditional darkroom techniques. Digital Art comes into play when the image is heavily manipulated and is changed radically from the original capture. I know some might disagree but I find somebody who takes a photo of trees and forest in Saskatchewan, then superimposes a moose into the foreground that he shot in Ontario, to be digital art - especially when he doesn't tell people up front that it's a combined image and they say 'ooh, what an awesome photo'. My daughter does digital art when she takes a dog from one photo, places it on a background from another photo, adds filters and borders and sometimes text and radically changes everything. (She's darned good at it too but it's definitely an art form to itself.)

Hope that helps. But just start with the basics. It's amazing what a bit of a crop, or slight adjustment to levels, colour curves and hue and saturation will do to an image.

[scottiex2]

both Buddy and Sheila. You've given me good places to begin. Buddy I will get Scott Kelby's "7 secrets" and Sheila the links that you've listed
will keep me busy. Sheila thanks for your take
on digital art. I appreciate your generosity and time.

Jane

[Rrdjserv]

I perfer learning by book rather than web site. I find it tedious to flip from web page to program and back. If you don't want to spend the $50 and up for a book, go to your school or public library.

Two comments: Take your time; there is a lot to learn. And a little goes a long way. Don't over-process.

--Rick

[scottiex2]

Thanks Rick

I ordered the Kelby book "7 Elements" that Buddy recommended and also one for "visual learners"
by Woolridge. I've been slowly making my way through the tutorials that Suzan linked. I'll get there eventually and you guys are great inspiration.

Thanks again
Jane

[Lonewolf]

I literally sat in front of the computer for weeks 10 hrs at a time..."seeing" what this did and that did.

Better than any book for me, and you remember it easier than read a manual.


Steve

[Tatanka001]

I dont have Photoshop but I have been using GIMP 2 I do understand it's close to Photoshop Elements.

[JThomas]

I am self-taught in photoshop. I would agree with the suggestion of learning through youtube. There are great tutorials on there. However, the only problem is that you have to know what your are looking for. You may see some awesome tonal corrections in an image, but if you don't know the technique dodging and burning with curves, then it can be hard to search for a youtube video, or just a tutorial at all.

So another good tip is to link to photos in forums and ask around if anyone knows how the person created it. There are some very knowledgeable people on some forums who can be very willing to help.

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