N00b post : please be kind!

LF
Posted By
lee_fields
Oct 10, 2008
Views
263
Replies
12
Status
Closed
Hi Guys,

I have got a new macbook and am trying to learn Photoshop. I have seen friends using the software, and to be honset when watching them I thought "easy, I can do that!" Now I have dropped the $ on the setup and finally sat down its not as easy as I thought…

this isn’t a stupid post like – how can I become amazing over night? but more a question of where do I start? (bearing in mind I want to do photo collage stuff)

Do I start with shortcuts? learn everything in the tool bar? buy a book and read it cover to cover? pay for lessons? I know how to use Logic so I’m not afraid of computers, but this really feels like starting again! help…
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christoph_pfaffenbichler
Oct 10, 2008
A book would certainly be a valid option in my opinion.
But have You tried simply going through the Photoshop Help? Way back, when such things were still delivered with the programme, I would sometimes just try to read the Handbook; if a chapter was familiar enough to me to be boring I could certainly skip it, otherwise I could very possibly learn something from there.

The guys at www.photoshoptv.com do some things in a peculiarly destructive fashion but I picked up some very useful stuff there too.

As regards the Shortcuts: You probably should familiarize Yourself with the functions before bothering with the Shortcuts (especially as You can set the Shortcuts up pretty much whichever way You like later on).

Smart Objects, Smart Objects, Smart Objects!
P
PShock
Oct 10, 2008
This series got me on my way 15 years ago.

CS3 Classroom In A Book. < http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS3-Classroom-Book/dp/ 0321492021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223636769 &sr=1-1>

(Provided you have PS CS3 of course.) Read and follow the tutorials cover to cover. And then do them again.

If you’re someone who’d rather learn with video rather than reading a book, check out Lynda.com.

-phil
PM
Paul M Norman
Oct 10, 2008
<http://www.lynda.com/> (Lynda Weinman) She has created a great set of online courses for all kinds of design software learning.
C
Cindy
Oct 10, 2008
I personally find it easier going through a manual than I do online tutorials. Classroom in a Book would be a really good start so I agree with Phils suggestion. It is important to get the fundamentals like keyboard shortcuts.
PM
Paul M Norman
Oct 10, 2008
I also like books. Unfortunately, we seem to be running out of real brick-and-mortar bookstores. There’s nothing like holding the book in your hands and making an informed decision whether to buy it.
AW
Allen_Wicks
Oct 10, 2008
What Phil said.
P
Phosphor
Oct 10, 2008
Some folks seem to think I offered some good advice in another thread awhile back. I think it needs a splash of Worcestershire sauce. 🙂

<http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?128@@.59b503f7>
LF
lee_fields
Oct 11, 2008
Hey Everybody,

thanks for all the information. I suppose I need to have a little taste of all these ways of learning. Its true, Bookshops are getting hard to find these days!

next question then… what is the cheapest way of getting my hands on Photoshop?
PM
Paul M Norman
Oct 11, 2008
I use froogle.com (Googol’s shopping comparison search). If you are student, then you can get big discounts on Educational versions.
PM
Paul M Norman
Oct 11, 2008
I use froogle.com (Google’s shopping comparison search). If you are student, then you can get big discounts on Educational versions.
T
tomas11
Oct 12, 2008
;9212810 Wrote:
Hi Guys,

I have got a new macbook and am trying to learn Photoshop. I have seen friends using the software, and to be honset when watching them I thought "easy, I can do that!" Now I have dropped the $ on the setup and finally sat down its not as easy as I thought…

this isn’t a stupid post like – how can I become amazing over night? but more a question of where do I start? (bearing in mind I want to do photo collage stuff)

Do I start with shortcuts? learn everything in the tool bar? buy a book and read it cover to cover? pay for lessons? I know how to use Logic so I’m not afraid of computers, but this really feels like starting again! help…

Start by reading up in all the forums and then practice practice practice.

—
tomas11
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R
ryclise
Oct 12, 2008
Paul M Norman;9215270 Wrote:
I use froogle.com (Google’s shopping comparison search). If you are student, then you can get big discounts on Educational versions.

Go to one of the deal sites like slickdeals.net fatwallet ebates etc and look for offers/rebates if you want to save money.

—
ryclise
———————————————————— ———— ryclise’s Profile: http://nettechguide.com/forums/member.php?u=303 View this thread: http://nettechguide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2242834

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