Completely New to This

[bcoleman61701]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself and ask for a little guidance. I have never used Photoshop before and I just switched to a Mac. That being said I don't have any knowledge of Photoshop. I was hoping someone would be able to tell me where to start? I was looking for a couple of books, but realized I don't know what I'm looking for. So any suggestions would help. Thanks..
-B-

[66stang66]

From what I understand from chatting with a few folks over the last few months and from posts around the web, "Photoshop for Dummies" is actually a pretty decent beginner guide (if you want to call it that). My brain doesn't function well by reading. LOL. I'm more of a "have to physically do it to get it" kind of guy. So, I just started doing tutorials that I found interesting. Of course, my method (thus my mind) is a bit slower. :D

Check out your local library. See what they have or can get. If you find one you like, go to a bookstore or order it on the web. Probably what I would do.

Hopefully, some of the Gurus that come to this board will chime in. I bet Mitz would have some good insight (no pressure Mitz :D) on books. She seems to me to be a "reader". But that's just a guess.

Cheers!
Dave

[mitzs]

Hi B, Welcome to the planet. The Book I would suggest for anyone new is "Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop’s Most Powerful Feature by Matt Kloskowski.

I wrote a book review on it here. If you like to read it. I enjoyed this book so much that as soon as I got to the end I started over. Not because it is hard to understand, but because it is such a fun book. Filled with lots of tutorials and Matt has such an easy way of teaching.

http://pursuingphotoshop.com/2008/12/24/layers-the-complete-guide-to-photoshops-most-powerful-feature-book-review/

What Version of Photoshop do you have? If you have CS4 Then you want to go with Photoshop Missing Manual Series by Lesa Snider King. This book is a monster, I mean it is huge. Over 700 pages. I am going though it now. If you get nothing else. These are the 2 books you need. ;)

Dave, how did you know I liked to read? :p

[Old Geezer]

Dave, how did you know Mitzs 'COULD' read...................:)

[66stang66]

Pete .. It was a lucky guess. I mean, I had a 50/50 chance. Right?

Mitz, I'm usually a pretty good judge of character. I read your posts here all the time and have also, read your blog. I think it was a safe assumption.

[bcoleman61701]

I have CS4.

Thanks for your input. Like you I am a reader..

[Old Geezer]

The great thing about Lisa's books and Video tutorials is they go into great depth and she is a great teacher as well.

Like anybody starting with Photoshop, you will throw filters and effects at anything you can lay your hands on. Until you gain experience with the interface it is a great way to pick up the feel of the program.

They used to do 'Photoshop in a Book' from Adobe. these are good grounding and you usually get a DVD of tutorials with them.

Look through the tutorials on this site, Video and Text based, even the older ones apply to later versions, technique wise that is.

Enjoy the Learning curve, you will be addicted in no time at all. :D

[Lesa]

Thanks for the book and video love Mitz and Old Geezer!

BTW, iStockphoto has set up a page to get 10 free, high-res images that were used in the book. You can find out more info here:

http://www.istockphoto.com/lesasniderking

[blindeyecreative]

You are on the right path by joining forums, looking for books, and buying a Mac:cool:.

And while these are all great steps, I am a firm believer that photoshop is one of those tools that you have to be hands on to learn. There is just too much to just try to read yourself into success.

I suggest doing as many tutorials as possible. Use the books you get to pick topics then search the web to find tutorials on that topic. Once you feel comfortable, try experimenting with the tools and techniques you learned. Photoshop is all about experimenting.

Some starting points: (I have include a few tutorials that I have done)
Using Layers (http://blindeyecreative.com/becreative/2009/01/layers-photoshop/)
Using Layer Masks (http://blindeyecreative.com/becreative/2009/02/layer-masks-photoshop/)
Using Blend Modes
Using Filters
Using Brushes
Using the type tool

These topics should get you started. Hope this helps. Also, find a few blogs to follow regularly that have topics that you find helpful. I have about 4-5 that I check on a regular basis.

Hope this helped.
Jon:D

[mitzs]

Dave, how did you know Mitzs 'COULD' read...................:)

:eek:Taking pot shots at me when my back is turn are we? Hmmm, something painfull and sticky in your future! :cool:

66stang66 Just as long as you know. I read a lot better then I spell. :D


bcoleman61701, did you get any books? If so which ones did you get?

[Old Geezer]

66stang66 Just as long as you know. I read a lot better then I spell. :D




My dearest Mitzs,

My 4 year old grand daughter reads better than you spell.;)

(is your back turned:eek:)

XXXXXXXX

[mitzs]

My dearest Mitzs,

My 4 year old grand daughter reads better than you spell.;)

(is your back turned:eek:)

XXXXXXXX

Lmao! You got me there. :D

[66stang66]

66stang66 Just as long as you know. I read a lot better then I spell. :D

So lnog as you palce the frsit and lsat ltetres werhe tehy blenog it ca be raed by amolst aynnoe.


It's a proven fact that the brain generally only "sees" the first and last letters when reading at the readers normal pace. The rest of the word can be scrambled and you can still read it. So, no worries on spelling mitzs.:cool:

[Old Geezer]

Dave,

I don't understand the second paragraph mate, can you re-type it please. ;)

[NEMESIS]

I feel a loooot of loooooove here :rolleyes: :p :D

Is so wonderful be with you gals and guys here :D

And yeah i second OG for a book "Classroom in a Book" from Adobe. By my opinion that is the first book you should read for Photoshop. And everything else beyond that is fine tuning.

What is also interesting is that Classroom in a Book is official literature to prepare your ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) exam.

Cheers!

[darkwolf29a]

Yes, that is a very good book. I hadn't read it myself until a few months ago. I've been using Photoshop for years, but always felt like I was missing something....that book has taught me all of what I was missing...a lot!!!