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I tried doing a search on this but didn't find any threads that really fit with my question.
I was wondering how each of you learned how to use Photoshop. Was it trial-and-error, or did you pick up a book and teach yourself in a structured manner, or take a class? Or do you just pick up a book when you are stumped with something?
For those of you that have taken classes, I would be interested to know if you thought they were worthwhile or not.
I started off with version 4.0 pretty much experimenting and taking a trial-and-error route. I had a copy of the 4.0 Bible but I'd be lying if I said I read it much. My limited knowledge pretty much accomplished what I wanted to do with my artwork so I never really had a need to learn the stuff I was unfamilar with.
Now that I'm doing restorations I have a more vested interest in learning as much as possible about PS. I bought another copy of the PS Bible when I was using 5.0 (I now use 7.0) and still look through it occasionally. I also picked up the Katrin Eismann book, which has been helpful, though I wish it was more in-depth. I wouldn't be opposed to taking some classes but the ones I've seen listed seem extremely basic.
Right now I basically evaluate each image and come up with a game plan for how I want to attack it. Then if the image has a specific problem (like a heavily textured surface or extreme fading) I'll look up the problem in Katrin's book and see what she has to say about it. Sometimes I will look stuff up in the PS Bible too, but not as often. Doing this I have learned a bit more about Photoshop, and sometimes have found an easier or more effective way of getting something done. Other times I prefer my methods.
I think I've done a very good job on the restorations I've done so far, but I wonder if I could have done better or finished them faster if I knew more about PS. I have to admit there are features and techniques I *never* use. Am I the only one? Until last week I had never used a mask before. And I'm still not overly excited about them. I guess I just don't know or can't see the potential for some of the features I've never bothered to play with.
How many of you use a wide variety of techniques depending on the order and how many of you are like me and have several techniques in your "personal toolbox" that you use over and over again, ignoring the rest PS has to offer?
I was wondering how each of you learned how to use Photoshop. Was it trial-and-error, or did you pick up a book and teach yourself in a structured manner, or take a class? Or do you just pick up a book when you are stumped with something?
For those of you that have taken classes, I would be interested to know if you thought they were worthwhile or not.
I started off with version 4.0 pretty much experimenting and taking a trial-and-error route. I had a copy of the 4.0 Bible but I'd be lying if I said I read it much. My limited knowledge pretty much accomplished what I wanted to do with my artwork so I never really had a need to learn the stuff I was unfamilar with.
Now that I'm doing restorations I have a more vested interest in learning as much as possible about PS. I bought another copy of the PS Bible when I was using 5.0 (I now use 7.0) and still look through it occasionally. I also picked up the Katrin Eismann book, which has been helpful, though I wish it was more in-depth. I wouldn't be opposed to taking some classes but the ones I've seen listed seem extremely basic.
Right now I basically evaluate each image and come up with a game plan for how I want to attack it. Then if the image has a specific problem (like a heavily textured surface or extreme fading) I'll look up the problem in Katrin's book and see what she has to say about it. Sometimes I will look stuff up in the PS Bible too, but not as often. Doing this I have learned a bit more about Photoshop, and sometimes have found an easier or more effective way of getting something done. Other times I prefer my methods.
I think I've done a very good job on the restorations I've done so far, but I wonder if I could have done better or finished them faster if I knew more about PS. I have to admit there are features and techniques I *never* use. Am I the only one? Until last week I had never used a mask before. And I'm still not overly excited about them. I guess I just don't know or can't see the potential for some of the features I've never bothered to play with.
How many of you use a wide variety of techniques depending on the order and how many of you are like me and have several techniques in your "personal toolbox" that you use over and over again, ignoring the rest PS has to offer?
(Thanks, Danny!)
) until I found this place. from there I started reading through challenge entries, tutorials, tips etc. and just kept on experimenting until I had a decent idea of how each tool worked. eventually, I got Katrin's book and read through that a couple times, from which I learned a ton. a couple months ago I finally got PS 7, and for that it's been lots more experimenting and searching out tutorials. I've never even looked into courses, because I'm a big self learner, and that's how I learn best.
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