Post Processing For Dummies!

[colliewalker1]

I am using a 300d/DRebel and have been making slow progress with post processing - but when this works well it can be immensely satisfying.


For improving contrast (I find most photos benefit from this) I have got the hang of LEVELS quite well but am still struggling a bit with CURVES:confused:
I am fairly happy with UNSHARP MASK
Using MASKS (Layer) is a real struggle for me - I am very keen to learn how to replace washed out skies - and it seems that mastering MASKS is a must for this purpose.
I habe tried a variety of tutorials but find that I tend to lose my way part through them - I'll be very grateful if someone can point me towards tutorials (Photoshop) which they have found to be easy to follow. and are likely to be understandable by a 'dummy' like me !

[fslshooter]

I too tend to lose my way following tutorials on the web -- that's why I prefer following them in print. IMO the best book for learning how to use PS is The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.

[Alan Neilson]

There is one uk photo mag, that I think gives good clear easy instuctions you also get a CD with video lesons on some of which are als in the magazine. It is called digital photo. Might be worth checking out.

[Olegis]

Did you try looking here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34606) ?

[colliewalker1]

Did you try looking here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34606) ?
I have had a look at Scottes tutorials which are very well written but when I tried a couple I lost my way, as I think perhaps the total ignorance of someone like me ( at the infant's school stage!:oops: ) was underestimated !!

I have begun to tour your galleries - they are excellent and I have emailed a copy of your cats pages to my daughter who is a cat fanatic and owns three!

[colliewalker1]

I too tend to lose my way following tutorials on the web -- that's why I prefer following them in print. IMO the best book for learning how to use PS is The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.
I have had a look for this book on Amazon UK - I was directed to a bookseller who imports from USA - am enquiring about mailing cost but anticipate ordering it - it seems to have quite a reputation.

Thanks for the tip

[colliewalker1]

There is one uk photo mag, that I think gives good clear easy instuctions you also get a CD with video lesons on some of which are als in the magazine. It is called digital photo. Might be worth checking out.
Thanks - I'll have a lookout for this when I go to WH Smith's.

[Olegis]

I have begun to tour your galleries - they are excellent and I have emailed a copy of your cats pages to my daughter who is a cat fanatic and owns three!

Thanks for the compliment ! I'm a cat fanatic myself (have two of them) and even developed an allergy for them in the last couple of years. I'm under treatment now - just can't part with these wonderful creatures ! Speaking about cats galleries, send
this (http://www.pbase.com/streetkid/city_cats_&page=all) to your daughter, it's the most amazing gallery I've ever seen with cats !

Now back to the business. :cool: I don't recommend buying stuff yet - you can learn so much from the Net ! Have a look at this (http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/PSTV_links.html) , it has tons of information about post-processing in general and Photoshop in particular. One of my favorite photography sites is the www.luminous-landscape.com, which has some very well written tutorials here (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/index.shtml) . There is one more pretty good site, but unfortunately I can't recall its URL (my bookmarks at home and work PCs are not synchronized). I'll post it when I get back home.

[fslshooter]

I was directed to a bookseller who imports from USA
You might find it at W H Smith -- there's a price of 30.99 Net UK on the back cover.

[mwinog2777]

A single best place for you: The Light's Right Studio.

Luminous Landscape is #2.

Also, don't try to do everything at once. It is a process. I've been at this for a decade. Its NOT my day job. I've never bought a book or taken a course. I use snippets of tutorials on the web. There are pleny around. And then just learn one thing at a time, then move on to something else.

USM is very good; its just the way you are usinmg it. Try TLR sharpening tools.

[lomond]

There is one uk photo mag, that I think gives good clear easy instuctions you also get a CD with video lesons on some of which are als in the magazine. It is called digital photo. Might be worth checking out.

I agree with Allan, I think it's the best way to learn without taking a course.
They use video tutorials on the CD Rom so you can follow along with Photoshop and pause the video as necessary.
Photoshop is not something you can master quickly,( in fact few of us truly master it) take one stage at a time and persevere, it's worth it in the end.
By the way, other mags do video tutorials I just happen to think "Digital Photo" do it best.

Cameron

[colliewalker1]

Thanks for the compliment ! I'm a cat fanatic myself (have two of them) and even developed an allergy for them in the last couple of years. I'm under treatment now - just can't part with these wonderful creatures ! Speaking about cats galleries, send
this (http://www.pbase.com/streetkid/city_cats_&page=all) to your daughter, it's the most amazing gallery I've ever seen with cats !


The link to the 'Cat Gallery' is much appreciated and I have passed it on to my daughter who will be very pleased to have it.

I have had an initial look at Photoshop Tech Vault - the amount of material here is amazing and I'm sure other members who ar not familiar with it will find it worth looking at.

I have also looked at Luminous Landscape which is a very good website

Many thanks for your contribution and to EVERY ONE ELSE for their interesting and helpful responses on this subject.