What to teach to begginers

[dtscds]

I am going to be in charge of teaching a basic PhotoShop class in a few weeks. I am going to have about 1 hour with these folks. I am assuming they will know nothing, or next to nothing at best.
If you were taking this on, what would you try to teach them in the short time I have at my disposal?
They will each be at a computer so it will be hands-on. They will be using CS3.

[ramblinray]

I'd say just enough about layers and levels to get photos into reasonably good printing condition, even if they are typical P&S shots. That may even take more than an hour to cover well.

[KdLaneJr]

To me, the basics should include the menu's, toolbars and tools commonly used as well as the keyboard shortcuts. A demo of unsharp mask, image resizing and how to save in jpeg format for web sharing along with a discussion of why unsharp mask is useful and what it does for you. Beyond that I'd cover the adjustments that can be made in ACR on RAW and jpeg files, then demo setting white points, black points and white balance. That should be enough to get you through an hour. I'd also show them how to reset their toolbars to default. Note that I haven't mentioned layers or layer masks here. I personally think that those should be taught in separate classes.

Good luck.

Ken

[z-monster]

IMO, if they know nothing of Photoshop I'd go with terminology, tools & layers for sure.

[picman]

Cropping, levels and a dose of resolution

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

To me, the basics should include the menu's, toolbars and tools commonly used as well as the keyboard shortcuts. A demo of unsharp mask, image resizing and how to save in jpeg format for web sharing along with a discussion of why unsharp mask is useful and what it does for you. Beyond that I'd cover the adjustments that can be made in ACR on RAW and jpeg files, then demo setting white points, black points and white balance. That should be enough to get you through an hour. I'd also show them how to reset their toolbars to default. Note that I haven't mentioned layers or layer masks here. I personally think that those should be taught in separate classes.

Good luck.

Ken

An hour? That could take a whole day! ;)

[KdLaneJr]

Nah, Just an hour. Heck, a 50 minute training session should average no more than a slide a minute depending on the topic and the nature of the slides. What I outlined should be very doable.

[bennet]

Damn, 1 hr is not enough. They would have to practice daily.

[LonestarMan]

Resizing, Levels, tools and that layers exist and why. New Photoshop users can be very intimidated by layers, but it's important to understand whats going on there.

[dcnctx]

If you only have one hour, then you maybe should wow them with a visual demonstration of what can be done easily, then whet their appetites with some new key basic skills, then end with some piece of outstanding work that maxs the capability of Photoshop to reinforce their interest. (See it big, keep it simple and make it useful.) The hour will vanish before your eyes so an easy to read handout outlining what they've seen and done can continue teaching after everyone goes home. A well done powerpoint can get everyone going in the same direction. Then they can duplicate something they seen on their stations, all working on the same image.

You can break your material into 4 equal segments of 15 min or an Intro and Close sandwiching 4 ten minute topics, or 2 twenty, etc...

It should be clear and concise and try to geat questions to the end so as not to get stuck with one question and not be able to cover any other material. A roving assistant or two could help keep everyone on the same page. (Just be sure the assistants are on the same page with you.)

Anyway back to your initial question: If they know nothing, wow them and them give them the basics. Good luck.

[Rox74]

From someone that is self teaching her way through photoshop from a book, don't go into layers and curves until you tell them what they are. This book told me not to jump around, well I didn't listen and I jumped around to what I wanted to do. Now, I'm so confused it's not even funny! I would love to take a class myself, and start from the beginning.... as beginning as you can get, lol.

[ChuckW]

Don't forget how to print. I have seen many complain about their prints because they let both PS and their printer manage colors, resulting in double color management and less than desirable results.

[photosbysergio]

I'm still learning myself and have come a long way but there is so much more to learn. If you are assuming they know nothing I would recommend:

1. Teach them the importance of capturing the best image possible in the camera so you spend less time in photoshop and more time shooting. White balance will be key!

2. How to get your photo into photoshop.

3. Always Always duplicate your photo into a new layer so you never work on the original and then explain what layers do but don't go into detail because they won't remember it anyway in that short period of time.

4. Print out a key shortcut template and hand it to them. They can learn that on their own.

5. Go down the list of tools and tell them what they are used for.

6. Let them work on a photo and do basic color adjustments to it just so they get the idea even if you just use the "auto" correct options. Levels and Curves have huge learning curves so it can't be done in an hour. You can explain what they do but they won't remember how to use them in just a few minutes (took me a long time to learn the basics but maybe i'm just slow. LOL)

7. Talk about output. Getting the photo ready for the web or to print and how to sharpen the photo and setting up the printing tools for best outcome (including paper profiles).

8. Have a list of books or websites to recommend so that they can go back and learn!

One hour is just enough time to scratch the surface of the possibilities of what can be done in CS3. Give them the resources so they can go back and learn on their own. Show them a few before and after shots.

Sounds like fun and good luck.

[robh1920]

Sharpening.... it can turn an ok photo into one with pop.

[STP Images]

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