Ten Basic Photoshop Skills - Must have ??

Keyboard shortcuts. If you are going to do anyhting in volume you must know the shortcuts.

I say the thing that is most foreign, and therefore most important, to new users is the concept of layers and masking. Next, I say adjustment layers and other NON-destructive editing. Last Learn how to save for each different medium.

A BIG problem I see around here is lack of moderation in Post Processing. Things like oversharpening, blind action application, etc...

Maybe I'm getting too ahead of the topic. My number one is learn the program, it's workspace, where everything is located(even if you don't know how to use it). If you know where something is and how to access it then you can at least get by.

Kbd Shortcuts, thanks for adding that. It took me forever to learn what the use of the SPACE key alone did. It changed the whole way I worked thereafter.

I can't believe no one had this

NUMBER 1: Backup up your original unedited images first - either RAW or JPEG's

uhhh, nice !!..

In2Photos wrote in post #3398184
While I think this might become a great thread and possibly a sticky let me direct everyone to one of our members' sites with wonderful tutorials:

http://www.ronbigelow.​com/articles/articles.​htm

WOW. Thx for the pointer there!

AS a noob to both photography and photoshop, i am watching this thread with great interest.

Any chance that peeps could give a little explanation as to why they feel certain skills are most vital, nothing long but a short note would allow me (and hopefully others) to be able to pick which ones we need to learn first and incorporate into our workflow.

This is a good idea but I think we all have slightly different priorities and probably different ways of doing things.

My priorities would be -

1) Develop a backup routing that is simple enough that you actually use it and gives the level of security that the worth of your photos dictates.
2) Develop a directory structure that works for you and stick to it.
3) Use of ACR
5) Use of layers for corrections
6) Levels, Curves and White Balance corrections
7) Composition cropping and straigtening horizons
8) Making selections and use of layer masks for selective application of corrections
9) Use of clone tool for spotting
10 ) Knowing alternative methods for sharpening and when each works best.

I agree we have different priorities because we all have a different level of some understanding to PS

I have used it for years, for various jobs, but never so much of late with photography, and did not relise so many use PP with photographs for sure and just a small amount of time will improve every picture.
My one I want to learn today, is can I make a copyright sig, that I ca nsave as a layer or some form of script so I can add same sig and then move it to where i want it on the picture, sort of looked at doing it, but not seen how
Perhaps 2 lists once for the ultimate beginner, and the other for say intermediate?

mjgravina wrote in post #3404366
Ok, so now that we have pretty much of a concesus of which skills are vital to learn in order to be a beginner PHotoshop user (say open a regular photo, and save it later in better shape than it was originally open).

Which of these are most important?
Can you prioritize ? Where would you start?...

first id say is to set black and white. from right there you've fixed half of your pictures problems. Id always do this first so u can see what the other problems even look like.

second would be brightness/darkness because very easy to fix.
third color balance, harder then the above 2 but turns blah picture into wow.

I like that order , makes sense to me.

How about:
1. Layers
2. Masks
3. Levels
4. Curves
5. Sharpening
6. Skin softening
7. Selecting
8. Saving (File management)
9. Resizing
10. Converting to B&W

Ray Marrero wrote in post #3411111
How about:
1. Layers
2. Masks
3. Levels
4. Curves
5. Sharpening
6. Skin softening
7. Selecting
8. Saving (File management)
9. Resizing
10. Converting to B&W

How does this sound, everyone ??

mjgravina wrote in post #3411207
How does this sound, everyone ??

How about:
1. Levels
2. Curves
3. Layers
4. Masks
5. Sharpening
6. Color Correction (Hue/Saturation)
7. Resizing and Saving (File management)
8. Skin softening/Spot repair
9. Selecting
10. Converting to B&W