Tips on how to learn CS2..

I would like to know where you people learned how to use photoshop properly. I have books and videos and most of them are ok and give you good information. However you are always working on photos that are part of the program and they tell you what to do and how to do it. Unfortunatley this is of little help to me as I want to learn what to do to my photos and when to do it.

So my question is pretty simple do you have any recommendation on truly learning the program? Classes that are available etc.

Thanks,
Don

my best advice would be a two part plan. First off, buy a book specifically on CS2, one that has a lot of positive reviews. and make sure it's related to photography, not graphic design or anything like that. Don't know which ones you have at this point though. When I finally get CS2, i'll be buying a book on editing photos with it. Shop around amazon.com, see which one is the best, and buy it! the second part would be to just use it a lot. The way i learned how to use photoshop (even if it is elements are quite simple) is through trial and error. You'll learn so much more through your own processes than you will listening to other people tell you about them. Good luck, and your photos will benefit a lot from PP, as they are already very good!

I'm with Brent on this one. A good book, and trial and error. I am by no means a PS expert, but what I have learned so for, has all been through reading, and practicing. Open up one of your photos that you want to work on, and figure out what you want to do to it. Then look in your book and see what is says. Or google it on the web.

Photoshop is a huge program with TONS of features that you may never use, or even know they are there, but don't let that scare you. Take things a little at a time, and you will get the hang of it. The more you learn, the easier your editing will become.

I had been using Photoshop for a couple of years when my then employer (Calypso Imaging) sent me to a seminar by Barry Haynes. I thought I knew what I was doing and how to get things done. I was wrong. The two day workshop enlightened and inspired me and was the beginning of my real understanding of Photoshop.

What I learned was masked adjustment layers are where the power of Photoshop lies. This was pre-digital camera. Now, I believe it's a combination of RAW conversion and masked adjustment layers.

My point is, although it might cost you a bit of money, if you can afford a workshop from a real Photoshop expert, it's worth the money. There's nothing like seeing someone do some powerful optimization right in front of you. After you see it happen in person, you can use a book for reference and practice, practice, practice.

The book I bought was Photoshop 5 Artistry, by Barry Haynes. His current version is just called Photoshop Artistry and you can buy it direct from his Web site:

Barry Haynes >>

I'm not saying that you should go to a Barry haynes seminar, although you could. There are lots of good Photoshop experts who can inspire and instruct you. I just wanted to share my experience.

Scott Kelby has a good series of books on Photoshop.

Thanks for the advice.

Photo-John, would a complete novice like myself be able to take a class at this level? I have spent the last hour reading the Barry web site and boy does it sound interesting. If a novice can handle it and it is not too far over my head this is exactly the way I need to learn. Do it for lots of hours for 5 days straight, then it will allow me to understand why you do what you do to the photos and when. That is the one of biggest things that I am missing now, never sure what to do and when.

I have a couple of good books and I do pull them out when I want to do some PP but it is so amature that I need professional training to get the most out of it.

I truly appreciated all the time that all 3 of you put into your response and I will continue to work on it. I will let you know if I do take the course.

Thanks , Don

Livin4lax09,

I thought that I would share at tip with you. I purchased CS2 from a site that sells computer programs to students. I don't remember which one, but there are many out there, all you have to do is be student (friend etc) or a teacher. I believe that I paid $269.00 for the program in Jan-06. I used my daughter as the student and nothing was said, real easy and saved me lots of money. I thought that I read that you are a college student...anyway just a thought.

Don

One of our local community colleges offers a course on cs2.
You might check and see if its offered close to you.

wow, thanks a lot for the tip. that will save me about 250 dollars. I like saved money. a lot. :)

Brent,

Here is the link I was talking about for the software. My student copy is 100% the real deal....the package just says student... http://www.studentdiscounts.com/

Don

Definitely try to find a class or even get someone to tutor you to get you off to a good start.

Even consider Adobe Photoshop Elements or another 'compact' program as a starter. There are several that support RAW files now as well.

RAW processing is fairly complex at one level to get set up with to start and the amount of research time you will spend probably can be shortened with some formal instruction.

Setting up your workflow (including profiling and preferences) to the best advantage is not a terribly intuitive process for most people. Even those that are technically quite proficient.

Books and third party references are indeed valuable. Michael Freeman has several quite well done books, as does Barry Huggins. Lark Publications puts out several books with step by step directions as well as good overviews. They also have some good general guides to digital photography including Photoshop considerations.

Best wishes and happy processing!

DRG,

Thanks for the insight.

I have a couple of good books with the cd tutorial. I also have taken a class, unfortunatley it was not an interactive class, I only got to watch the pro do his magic. It was nice to see what the program can do, but overall it was pretty much a waste of money, as I really need more of what you are talking about, especially the work flow.

I have been looking for a tutor and have talked to a few people but no luck as of now. I am really considering the class that was mentioned above in the thread but it is real expensive when the travel and accomadations are factored in. I am waiting for information from the company to assure that the class will be beneficial for me.

Thanks

I have found this site to be pretty good,
section on photography stuff in general: Here
section on more just Photoshop: Here

I started with Photoshop (6, in my case) for dummies. I still recommend that as a first read. It explains the Photoshop interface and toolbars in layman's terms, and in a format that makes learning to use Photoshop entertaining. It's not all-inclusive, but it will give you a good basic understanding of what Photoshop can do. Perhaps more importantly, you'll also know the parts of the program you have trouble understanding.

My second book was the Photoshop (6.0 again) Bible. I DO NOT recommend this as a second book, unless you have trouble sleeping at night. A technical manual in every sense of the word, it does come in handy at times.

-Joe U.

I started with Photoshop 2.0 and have used every version since. I've been to numerous conferances and workshops, and while they have their place, I still think I've learned more late at night working an image . One thing I do know is that there is no one correct way to use the program, there are an infinite number of paths to achieve what you envision. I can't wait for CS3 Universal so I can see what the new MacBook Pro will do.