Knowing Photoshop

[karusel]

Once I thought I am pretty slick in PS, then I discovered Russell Brown's site (http://www.russellbrown.com) that helped me put things into perspective. Now one of the forum members pointed out Shanzcan (http://www.shanzcan.com/photoshopahol.html) so I decided I want more. Those two sites provide some tutorials, but what I'd really want is knowing enough to just think and do... I mean, now I visualize what I want the photo to look like, but I can hardly do it the way I wanted to. To cut the chase: I'd like some suggestions about good books or e-books that would give me an in-depth knowledge of PS. Now I feel like having a full box of various tools, and I know for each one at least roughly what it's for, but I loose perception when it comes to combining it. Example (Warning 3 Mb .mov video) (http://www.russellbrown.com/tips/moviesps/ClippingMonstersInSpace.mov). I would never have thought of that...

How good do you know PS?

P.S. Do you too find old Russell totally hillarious sometimes? :oops:

[iwatkins]

Cannot offer any real suggestions of sites or books.

However, just to gee you up a bit, I know two people who have been using PS since the year dot. Both say they reckon they only know about 75% of what PS can do. They both say they don't think they will ever fully master it. :)

One of them (good mate) suggests that you ignore PS itself but go and learn all about colour (color) theory. I.e. how combining two colours affects overall colour. He said knowing all that down to a tee really helps him with his everyday work.

Cheers

Ian

[maderito]

PS is nothing more or less than a set of tools. A painter has brushes, pigments, and canvas. A woodworker has hammers and chisels. You have digital images, PS, and a monitor.

To get started in PS, you naturally look for tutorials which show you how someone else uses the tools. But mastering PS is not about learning every conceivable tutorial. Tutorials open a window into the reasoning and creativity of those who work with PS every day. If I follow or implement a tutorial, I always ask myself, "do I understand this well enough to re-create it on my own without referring back to this step-by-step tutorial?"

Once you get comfortable with PS for routine editing tasks, it's time to go hit the books and study fundamentals while still working every day on PS projects. Study the fundamentals of your craft (light, color, tonality, composition, etc.) and fundamentals of how the PS tools work. Gradually, you begin doing things intuitively in PS because you know that's how to get from here to there. In time, that will become an act of craftsmanship and, possibly, creativity.

Happily, PS meets the needs of many, from those who need it only as a safe vehicle to convey their images to the printer, to others who find its canvas to be a boundless playground for creative expression.

My introduction to PS was Deke McClelland's Photoshop Bible. It remains my essential guide and reference.

[ecobo]

I agree with Ian, that the most important for PS is to know all about colors - color modes, color adjustmenets, color convertions etc. But you will need also to make an effort on learning the PS features since they are countless.
I started with PS5, then moved to PS5.5 and now I'm working with PS6. I've red a dozen of good (and expesive) books and I believe that now there are no secrets for me (or they are a lot?). I was learning during 4 years before venture a judgement that there is no more to learn. During these years I was working on real graphic design projects and this gave me a priceless experience.
So, in a few words, don't expect to learn all about PS in a couple of days.
By the way, in PS they are a lot of methods to produce the same result.
PS is a realy creative tool and I think it's the best out there.

[ashforth]

I found another good site for Photoshop tips at:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/home.htm

Herb

[karusel]

Thanx, that was helpful. I incidentally have a friend that is in printing business and has once (or twice) explained me how RGB, CMYK, HSB and Lab work. Still I think I need to really explore it practically to make true use of it. I know there is PS bible, I've used one (friend's), and I guess it covers pretty much everything there is to know, but... I don't know.. it's ment for someone that knows exactly what to do, but is missing one piece of the puzzle, so he looks it up in the bible... I'd really like some uhm... intermediate-advanced learning friendly book. I will however try to learn all about color that I can.

[Laziferous]

I have Photoshop 7.0 For Photographers (http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/index2.htm) by Martin Evening. Just as Ian and others have said, it's best to understand colors, along with the basics of pixel dimensions, and how dpi realtes to the image, and so forth. That's how this book starts out. It doesn't even get into the work space until chapter 6, and not into image adjustments until chapter 8! There are sixteen chapters in all. It comes with a disc that has some of the tutorials in the book on it, in quicktime movie format.

I started reading the book about two or three months ago, and am embarassed to say, that I've been slacking really hard, and am only on chapter three. The first few chapters are rather dry reading, but also necessary. I just keep putting it off. What I have read has already helped me to understand imaging in general better though.

[msnow]

Photoshop CS ForDigital Photographers & Photoshop CS Down and Dirty Tricks both by Scott Kelby. Excellent books! Many here will agree.

[WestFalcon]

I agree with MSNOW 100%....the Scott Kelby books are fantastic . He illustrates and teaches better than any book I've read on photoshop. Buy it, it's a steal!!!