Lynda.com is a pretty good one. $25 per month and you can go online and watch the tutorials 24/7. I don’t think that they cover PS 6 anymore, though.
Would I gain anything by joining then? In other words, is there enough similarity between 6 and the newer versions to have it all make sense to me?
I am afraid that it would only make you jealous of the newer bells and whistles. I’m sorry, that was my mistake to mention it. However, it is $25 per month and you can stop at any time. So maybe the investment of one month would get you up and running on the basics.
Most of what I have learned has been from that site, lots of books and this forum. 🙂
What’s the newest version of Photoshop? Would it be worth it for someone who is not going to take advantage of each and every option?
Thanks, I will check that out!!!
The newest version is CS. It takes the place of 8.
If cost is a concern, I’d suggest a community college class or one the local school district may offer for adults as "continuing education". Either way you could get the basics for not much $.
Since your schedule is wacky, I would recommend self-teaching. The three best books I can think of are:
Photoshop Bible (for your version) by Deke McClelland $39.99 Adobe Photoshop Complete Course by Jan Kabili $49.99
and Photoshop for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby $39.99
All these books can be purchased on-line for about half the list price! Also, you library may have them for free!
The first one is VERY authoritative, but more of a reference IMHO. The second one is just what it says. A complete course that you follow along with. The third may be what you need right away though, as it covers topics you would use for sure. Correcting photos, hiding facial blemishes, etc.
Hope this helps,
Tom Ireland
This defintely helps! I think between doing the Online detailed course for 6.0 at Element K and using one of those books, I would learn a lot of what I need to know.
By the way, what is the cost of the latest version of Photoshop (CS)in case I ever decide to take the plunge?
To upgrade from your 6.0 to CS is about $150 USD. Beware of offers asking for less than $139.99 USD. Anything much less than that might be a pirated copy.
CS has lots of useful bells and whistles for touching up photos. Check out the "What’s New In CS" section on the Adobe site.
Tom Ireland
Problem is, I got my 6.0 from a friend. Not sure I will be able to upgrade based on that.
Unless your friend had a legally registered copy and transferred the license and destroyed his / her copy, the one you have is ILLEGAL.
So, unless you have a legal copy, my advice is to remove it from your computer.
Bob
I’d suggest buying a copy of Photoshop Elements 2. It’s really good value for money and will do everything that you’ll need it to do for basic photo editing.
Bob is right, and Helen has a good point! Elements has most of the stuff you would need/use for way less bucks.
Not sure where you are, but CompUSA offers Elements 2 for $99.99 USD. It is often on sale for half price. Or you may want to buy the bundled packed of Elements and Album. I have seen that package for $99.99 USD!
Also, and Bob may want to correct me on this, but I think if you want to later, you can upgrade to CS from Elements 2.
Tom Ireland
I have Elements 2.0 but someone told me that it may be TOO basic for what I may need for the future. Any thoughts on this? I have not played around with it very much.
Actually, I THINK I have what is the full version of Elements. I am currently looking at the green disc that my husband installed, it says "Adobe Photoshop Elements" and in the corner says "For Bundles Only. Not to be sold separately". It does not have a version listed on the disc.
Is this the "full" version of Elements? Whatever it is, it is already loaded on our home pc.
"someone told me that it may be TOO basic for what I may need for the future. Any thoughts on this? I have not played around with it very much."
I suggest that you do. No sense paying for more boat that you can paddle. I have used both and (don’t tell Adobe this) Elements is WAY under priced. Test drive it on one of your actual projects and see how it performs. You may be surprised to find it’s all you need.
As far as bundled software, it is a group of software that is part of a package usually shipped with a new PC. Should be the full version of Elements.
Tom Ireland
Tom,
check out my post regarding what I think I may have for Elements and let me know your thoughts 🙂
my vote is take the cs class at a community college and while you’re enrolled get the educational full version of photoshop.
The way to tell what version you have is to open the program and click on "Help" then click on "About Elements". This will tell you if you have 1.0 (most likely), or 2.0.
PS is a monster of a program, and the only way to tame it is to jump right in with both fists. Nothing like playing around with a program to see how it works I always say. Elements IMHO is just shy of PS. I’m thinking it’s 80% of PS for 15% of the price.
Again, try it out on one of your projects, and see if it has what you need. And remember the last two books I suggested. I think they’ll help you get up to speed quickly.
Also, for assistance, Bob Levine knows the rules for the software, and Dave has a knack of remembering things I have forgotten. Keep checking in here, even if you don’t have a problem, and you’ll learn lots for free. I have and do!
If your schedule will permit, the class and discount on SC is a great way to go. Thanks for remembering that, Dave.
Tom Ireland
I did the "help…About Elements" thing and checked with my excellent vision as all this info (mostly names) was slowly scrolling. It is not listed anyplace obvious what version it is. However, somewhere in small print I did see "Second Ed. copyrighted"….couls this mean I have 2.0???
If so, this might be a better program for me, as it may be less daunting, and therefore less intimidating to experiment with.
""Second Ed. copyrighted"….couls this mean I have 2.0??? "
Not sure. I no longer have it on my machine. Have re-built my PC several times over dealing with video editing requirements, and in the process, have not re installed it.
Maybe someone else here in the forum knows. Or you could always call the folks at Adobe and ask. It would be nice to know for sure what version you have so you can the correct training though, no matter how you go after it.
I mentioned this thread to a friend, and she suggested you check the web for training on DVDs. There are some nice programs out there that vary in price. I’ll bet they also vary on quality, but worth looking into I should think.
Why not visit the Elements forum and ask there?
Bob
I discovered that I have version 1.0.1. So, would it be worth playing around a bit with that to see if it offers what I need, or is there such a large difference between tha capabilities of 1 and 2 that it would be worth purchasing Elements 2 instead? (Obviously, this question is directed to the few people who originally suggested Elements in the first place).
It is only $99 bucks and, accordig to a photographer I just talked to, has some decent stuff.
My guess is that you can get it much cheaper than that and that it would be well worth the price. If you get the PSE/PSA bundle there’s a $30.00 rebate.
Again, I advise you to go visit the Elements forum to get feedback there.
Bob
Already have PS Album…but would love to know where I might find Elements cheaper, if you know. I am leaning towards Elements, since I have spoken with 2 people today that say it is a good program and less overwhelming:)
Have you checked the online retailers?
Bob
Since I am very new to all of this, I am not sure which particular retailers you are talking about. I know Adobe sells it for $99, as do the major chains like Best Buy.
I just saw the PSE/PSA combo at Costco for $99.00 and that has a $30.00 rebate.
Check Amazon Google it. I’m sure you can get a good deal.
Bob
ok, thanks for all your help 🙂
I think you should ask your question in a ps forum such as Retouchpro before buying anything.
And 2nd hand books such as those by Katrin Eismann cover specialized interests such as yours…body sculpting, makeup, skin, blurs, USM methods, and other basic used for people’s skin and clothing.
Use search engine "google" to look for your specific subject.
"I am leaning towards Elements, since I have spoken with 2 people today that say it is a good program and less overwhelming:) ".
I am a professional portrait and wedding photographer and until recently I just only used Elements. I switched to CS because of the RAW converter.
You can do almost anything you want in Elements, especially when you download the free Shipley plug ins to be able to use Curves.
The Elements forum is always extremely helpful; there are a lot of friendly people out there. Moreover, have a look at the "Challenges" on this forum, a wonderful way to increase your skills.
Leen
