Photoshop, start from scratch

[mike.strock]

I'm a new Photoshop user. I thought I would start using it to enhance my photos. But there is a LOT to learn, and I guess I'm just getting old and don't know where to start.

I literally have never used Photoshop before. I picked up a book at the library on Photoshop CS, but it was way over my head.

I shoot mostly people (portraits, kids, etc). I'm just looking for suggestions on a book that would take me from being a *very* beginner level user to somewhere more proficient.

I realize that Photoshop is a huge undertaking, and don't expect to learn everything about it, but I'm sure there is a good guide out there for old people like me....

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

Mike Strock

[Sonny]

I was in the same boat about three years ago and this is what helped me.

1. Lynda.com - online step-by-step video training. Learn at your own pace.
2. Books -
   • Scott Kelby
   • Photoshop CS / CS2 Wow!
     
3. tutorial websites. These are only a few out of dozens of websites-
   • http://www.good-tutorials.com/
   • http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/adobe_photoshop/
   • http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/Photoshop/1
   • http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html
   • http://www.askphotoshop.com/
   • http://www.planetphotoshop.com/category/tutorials/
   • http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-tutorials
   
   
   
   

[mike.strock]

Thanks Sonny. I appreciate the response.

Mike.

[wondershots]

I 2nd Kelby's books. Especially the "Photoshop for Photographer" books. I think the CS3 version just hit the shelves.

-Jim

[mike.strock]

Is the Kelby book oriented towards folks who have used Photoshop for a while, or is it worthwhile for someone just beginning to use the tool?

[dtscds]

I am also a big fan of Scott Kelby's books.
A couple of other ideas:
Go to photoshoptv.com. Once a week they have 1 free 30 minute news-type program. They usually have 2 or 3 tutorials. Most of them are more advanced stuff buy they still are usefull if you just follow the steps they use.
You Tube has some video tutorials posted. Just search 'photoshop' and you will get lots of returns. Some of them are very well done and highly useful.

[Gordon]

The Scott Kelby books are pretty good, particularly if you are looking for recipes to follow ('I need to fix this thing')

Another gentle thought is, perhaps you don't need/ want photoshop and would be better served by something like Lightroom or Aperture ? They are actually designed for photographers, rather than graphic designers and might be more in line with your goals and needs. That or something such as photoshop elements, might give a more gentle learning curve.

Trial versions of those are available too.

[mike.strock]

Gordon - Thanks for the thought. I will look at Elements, a CD came with my camera....

Mike.

[wondershots]

Originally Posted by mike.strock

Is the Kelby book oriented towards folks who have used Photoshop for a while, or is it worthwhile for someone just beginning to use the tool?

It starts out pretty basic showing how to setup your workspace and explaining what the tools do. Then it pretty much hits the areas that a photographer would use the software for. Things like color balance, exposure, contrast and then moving on to special things like touch up, sharpening, body sculpting, etc. You can probably look at the table of contents on Amazon.

[mike.strock]

Thanks Jim. I think a trip to Barnes and Noble is in order....

Mike.

[Duffy Pratt]

Kelby not only spoon feeds you; he tells you which end of the spoon to put in your mouth.

Duffy

[johnastovall]

Photoshop CS3 One-On-One
by Deke McClelland

I'm a big fan of Deke McCleland's books (had the CS2 book) for just starting. He starts you at the begining and has a cd with images and Video's for each section. Also each section builds on the prior ones.

Kelby is a good quick and dirty, "How do I do this?" but not in my view as good a learning tool.

[mike.strock]

Here's one of the things I'm trying to do. If you look at the link here and look at her left hand, one of the fingernails has bad polish. I didn't notice this during her senior shoot, so I was hoping that I could find out how to use Photoshop to "fix" the fingernail (maybe even just change all the fingernail colors to a different color.

Thoughts?

Mike.