Photoshop CS5 and LR3 -- best resources to get started?

[venchka]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Think of the money you could save if you weren't wasting it on chemicals you have to dispose of.., the lens you could buy, the road trip's you could take, the chance to move out of the dark ages and improve your photography.

Ya got me.

maybe

[KdLaneJr]

Wayne, I didn't see you at imaging USA.., and Kodak has a booth full of film there....

I think leica even had a spot. Looked like the smallest booth you could get, but what the heck, they can still say they were there.

[contributor_M]

Originally Posted by Rson

I really like the Lynda.com training. Chris Orwigg is the presenter and he is very clear his tutorial, plus you can jump around. I skipped the LR because it isn't the hardest program to master and there are many free movies. I have the PS tutorials.

^^ I prefer Lynda.com and Chris Orwig in particular for Adobe CS5 training, and Kelbytraining for photography training.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by Scott1970

What books and websites would you recommend as the best for getting started in CS5 and LR3?

Before I stray too far off topic...

There are books for CS5 and LR3 and then there are books for CS5 and LR3. Kelby's materials are usually a WHAM, want to do this, do it like this. Okay if that's all you want and plenty informative, but there are others out there that do a better job of not only teaching you what the tools do, but when, why and how to use them to get the best use of them.

There are several things I've found to be quite helpful in learning the new software as it comes out.
1) the videos all over you-tube (which Sonny does a good job of providing links to)
2) the Lyndas.com training tutorials. A subscription here is well worth the money if you will take advantage of it. They have a ton of training material here, not just photoshop and LR. They also have redundant training material by different trainers. I find some much easier to listen to than others.
3) a quality book holder. I absolutely hate trying to hold a book in my lap while working on learning something new or trying to keep it open on the desk next to the keyboard. The book holder I holds the book up beside my monitor open to the page(s) I need to refer to.
4) If you're going to take the time to learn these programs, buy a wacom intuos 3 or 4 tablet and learn to use it at the same time. You'll be amazed at how much faster you can work when you aren't limited by a mouse.
5) Get a training DVD for the wacom tablet. The tips and tricks on using the tablet are invaluable and will help ensure you get the most out of your training/practice sessions while you are learning CS5 and LR3.

Good luck on your endeavor to learn these programs.

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by venchka

Perhaps. If you don't need photoshop, then it's a waste of money. Think of what you can buy with the money. A lens or 2. A ton of film and chemicals. A road trip to a really cool place. Things that may actually improve a person's photography.

Hater!!!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Wayne, I didn't see you at imaging USA.., and Kodak has a booth full of film there....

I think leica even had a spot. Looked like the smallest booth you could get, but what the heck, they can still say they were there.

Darn. That's what happens when you have to work for a living. You miss the fun. And I was at home with company from New Orleans.

There are folks in this world who do not need Photoshop. No matter how they record and print the light. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by dmarty78

Hater!!!

Nope. Just the facts.

[Scott1970]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Before I stray too far off topic...

There are books for CS5 and LR3 and then there are books for CS5 and LR3. Kelby's materials are usually a WHAM, want to do this, do it like this. Okay if that's all you want and plenty informative, but there are others out there that do a better job of not only teaching you what the tools do, but when, why and how to use them to get the best use of them.

There are several things I've found to be quite helpful in learning the new software as it comes out.
1) the videos all over you-tube (which Sonny do a good job of providing links to)
2) the Lyndas.com training tutorials. A subscription here is well worth the money if you will take advantage of it. They have a ton of training material here, not just photoshop and LR. They also have redundant training material by different trainers. I find some much easier to listen to than others.
3) a quality book holder. I abolutely hate trying to hold a book in my lap while working on learning something new or trying to keep it open on the desk next to the keyboard. The book holder I holds the book up beside my monitor open to the page(s) I need to refer to.
4) If you're going to take the time to learn these programs, buy a wacom intuos 3 or 4 tablet and learn to use it at the same time. You'll be amazed at how much faster you can work when you aren't limited by a mouse.
5) Get a training DVD for the wacom tablet. The tips and tricks on using the tablet are invaluable and will help ensure you get the most out of your training/practice sessions while you are learning CS5 and LR3.

Good luck on your endeavor to learn these programs.

Great info. Thanks.

Any followup on what other books you'd recommend?

[Steve Balderrama]

+1 on the Wacom tablet. only way to go.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by venchka

Darn. That's what happens when you have to work for a living. You miss the fun. And I was at home with company from New Orleans.

There are folks in this world who do not need Photoshop. No matter how they record and print the light. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Photoshop is only a tool.., and like all tools needs to be wielded with care to be effective. It has the power to let you enhance your creative vision and it has the power to destroy a carefully crafted shot.

I use LR the majority of the time (sports image bulk processing), but when I do portraits, landscapes, weddings, etc., I download into LR and process individually in CS5 extended. I don't have a need for all the tools in either program, but I what I can do with layers in photoshop and enjoy the simplicity of LR for applying different presets to the same image via virtual copies .

Following the premise of "a chain is only as strong as the weakest link ". I can't imagine why I would want to scan a negative and process it digitally knowing that the resulting digital file is only as good as my scanner and my ability to use it.

With a digital file, I don't insert another potential point of failure (or a least a point of frustration ) in my efforts to achieve my final product.

But as long as you're willing to work harder instead of smarter, more power to you.

(Note: This does not apply to formats digital is not available for)

[venchka]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

... (Note: This does not apply to formats digital is not available for)

There you go. Or cost more than my first house. Or second house. Or both combined.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by Scott1970

Great info. Thanks.

Any followup on what other books you'd recommend?

The Adobe Photoshop Power Tour this Jan 31st at the San Antonio Convention Center may be worth attending for you. Dave Cross does an excellent job of presenting material.

Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual This is a great "go to" desk reference when you need to see how to do something "now".

Photoshop for Photographers by Martin Evening Pick up both, start with Photoshop for Photographers, when you're ready, continue with The Ultimate Workshop. You'll always learn more than you thought you wanted to know when you read this series.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Studio Techniques I didn't see a CS5 version of this to refer you to. If you can find one, go with it. This book will show you ways to use the photoshop tools that usually don't just jump out at photoshop novices or photoshop "experts" entrenched in their workflows.

Skin and Skin 2 by Lee Varis. You could probably get enough/all you need out of Skin 2. If you shoot portraits, this is a must read. In Skin, Lee covers how to photograph skin for correct skin tone rendering and how to adjust skin in post processing for proper skin tone rendering along with assorted retouching methods for dealing with different skin issues. I only have the original volume and it was an amazing read.

Adobe Lightroom 3 - The Missing FAQ by Victoria Bampton

The Adobe Lightroom 3 Book: The complete guide for photographers by Martin Evening

I have a couple other titles loaned out at the moment. I'll try to remember to update this list when I get them back.

[Murph]

I was nice to the Leica guy. He even let me fondle an S2.

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Wayne, I didn't see you at imaging USA.., and Kodak has a booth full of film there....

I think leica even had a spot. Looked like the smallest booth you could get, but what the heck, they can still say they were there.