Best Place to Learn Photoshop in DFW Area?

[Freckles]

I'm taking an Elements course through the community college.

It is boring me to death. Nothing that I want to do, which is natural light portraits.

I need a course for a Mac, as I've just converted over to that from a PC.

Any suggestions?

I look at some people's photos and they ROCK! I eventually want to upgrade to CS3, but thought Elements would be a good beginning point.

Thanks!

[klynam]

It aint the course that's boring you, it's the instructor!

Beginning to "learn" Photoshop is like beginning to learn photography. It's a huge subject with many topics to cover.

For instance, you could say "I want to learn photography." A good photographer would immediately ask you what KIND of photography. Macro? Landscapes? Portraits? Sports? With that information, one can recommend equipment and techniques specifically applicable to those goals.

So with that in mind, what do you WANT to do with photos? Are you interested in b&w conversions? Are you interested in glamour retouching? If you can define what really tickles your fancy, it's a small step to learn those techniques.

Does that make sense?

Ps. You said "natural light portraits", but that has more to do with photographic techniques than digital post production. I'm asking what you want to do in the computer - with Photoshop/Elements - not what kind of photography you're interested in...

[srwatters]

You could also find some kind soul who's processing you like and ask them...

They might say no, but then again you won't know if you never ask.

There are also some good shooters that run workshops which include post processing tutorials as part of their content.

[SaSha]

A course for a PC will translate over to a Mac no problem. The only thing different will be the Control key(PC) vs. Apple key (mac).

No course is going to be geared to satisfy one individuals wants. Have you gotten the basics down yet, what the tools do, what the menu's will do for you. If so I would definately follow Scotts suggestion about asking about specific processing techniques.

Stick with the class even if it is boring, it will give you more "flight" time and that is never a bad thing.

[JohnT]

The best way I found to learn PS was sitting right here in front of my computer with a good lesson book and a disc of tutorials. Inexpensive, hands-on, self-paced, and on my own schedule. That may or may not be the best way for you, but it sure worked for me.

[klynam]

I've been retouching on a computer since before Photoshop came out. I began with a program called Digital Darkroom (8-bit grayscale only.) I could have - should have - made a career of Photoshop training, but never saw the light.

The best way I've learned Photoshop is to have a need to do something specific. I then learn every possible way to accomplish that - which inevitably teaches me many aspects of the program I can apply to other needs.