Photoshop

[Diane]

I've been feeling stalled in this project lately, mostly to do with my incompetence with manipulating images. That is all about to change (I hope). I found a guy in the photocopy shop who is going to come over and teach me (for $150/hour) how to use photoshop. The price seems steep, but I'll call it an investment in my work and write it off as educational expense if possible. I'm optimistic again.

Bernard, there's a full tutorial on here along with the program. But it's huge, detailed, I don't even know where to begin to look, and get overwhelmed after about 10 minutes. I've got a little list of things I want to learn (goals) and I do better with a helper showing me specifics. The guy who's coming said he'd loan me his book for a month or so for reinforcement.

[bernard]

Diane,

There is very good software/paperware for Photoshop.

Photoshop 6 for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-6-Dummies-Deke-McClelland/dp/0764507044)

I ever begin with books and follow with training if I failed to understand the content.

[nari]

Diane,

It takes ages to follow directions in a manual; I found that out! Although I don't use Photoshop, my Painter 5 program is similar though somewhat less versatile.
The best plan is for you to sit with this guy, and go through the steps and for him to translate the terms and nuances. I did not have anyone, and it was a slog. Much easier with someone who knows the program; and it might be easier to write down the basics on paper and put post-it notes in the strategic pages. Get the basics under your skin (or in it!) and leave floaters, morphing and masks and stuff like that for a bit later on.
If he has other ideas, fine; but for someone who is well versed in the procedures, it is easy for him to forget to stress the basics!

Nari

[bernard]

Diane,

this one has better comments (and a CD).

Adobe Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book (http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS2-Classroom-Book/dp/0321321847/sr=1-1/qid=1160720583/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-1743646-4232142?ie=UTF8&s=books)

[Diane]

Thanks for the tip Bernard. I'll see how it goes on Saturday, what sort of book I'm being lent, then if I eventually hit some walls I may opt for Classroom in a Book. I expect I'll be busy learning how to swim in this new ocean for quite awhile before I bump into any walls, however..
Nari, I'm impressed with your level of patience and persistence in the face of not knowing - hats off. You certainly conquered your painting program, so I have hope this brain of mine can develop a few new synapses in the same direction.

[bernard]

Diane,
here is some free resources =>

Adobe Photoshop Basics (http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/l/bllps5out.htm)

http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jns/wp/2006/01/06/free-photoshop-lessons/
http://www.basicphotoshop.com/basicpstuts.htm
http://www.softwaretrainingtutorials.com/photoshop-7.php

[nari]

Those links are great, Bernard!

Makes me want to buy Photoshop but it's exy (Oz for expensive) and I probably wouldn't use most of the applications....

Nari

[bernard]

Nari,

Just try the free photoshop: The Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/). :lightbulb

[Diane]

Probably just for PCs, right?

[bernard]

No, Diane there is many available versions. :thumbs_up

There also a Macintosh vesrion.
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

[Diane]

Thanks Bernard. (It looks a bit too techie for my taste..)

[bernard]

Try this :lightbulb

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

[Diane]

Well, the photoshop guy has come and gone, and I need to go for a walk or something to clear my brain, hopefully without deleting any crucial information from my mind. He showed me how to do all the usual stuff, like erase lines I don't want, and also how to join images, turn them upside down, flip them mirror-wise, lighten, darken, color, layer.. I feel like my head is full of bees right now. What a neurotransmitter rush. AND he's willing to do followup. AND he said he thought I was a quick study. Yeah.. right. I think that part was just him being flattering. But he was a good teacher. I'll give him that. Shouldn't be too long before some of my "creations" start showing up here.