Photoshop Blues

[lightsgood]

Hello all, I am a little embarrassed to post this here. I have to admit that I know absolutely "Zero" about Photoshop. I finally got the program through Adobe CC this year. I do 100% of my PP on a laptop with Lightroom. I am wanting to up my game and I know that I need to learn Photoshop (and other applications) to do this. Can anyone recommend a good online course for doing this? there is SO MUCH to choose from. I find myself bouncing around from one place to another and then giving up. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Ryan

 

[Kyle Jones]

I think having a good idea what you even want to use Photoshop for would help. The gateway drug for me was blending exposures (for dynamic range, content or other reasons). One of my favorite series for this was by Sean Bagshaw, "Developing for Extended Dynamic Range".

 

[BarryHamilton]

I have also found Julianne Kost to be very helpful. She has videos going back years on various aspects of Photoshop and Lightroom, including the newer CC package.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Ryan,

Just a quick note as I am out, but I will be driving by you either this Sunday Evening or Monday around lunch time. I should be able to stop by and spend a couple of hours with you. I can give you a good framework to start with, and you can build from there.

Jim

 

[Ryan10]

I'm going to assume you get a lot of quality material and learning when paying for courses; however, I just posted some Youtubers that offer free content in this same forum.

Phlearn is the all around Photoshop master.

In terms of using Photoshop for landscape post processing, assuming that's what you'll be doing, you'll want to know the following:

• Layers = necessity knowledge
• Layer masks = basic requirement
• Adjustment layers = basic requirement
• Exposure blending = intermediate knowledge
• Luminosity masks = more advanced concept

 

[lightsgood]

Hey Ryan,

Just a quick note as I am out, but I will be driving by you either this Sunday Evening or Monday around lunch time. I should be able to stop by and spend a couple of hours with you. I can give you a good framework to start with, and you can build from there.

Jim

Man, that would be amazing. We are out and about until late Sunday, but if Monday works for you I would be happy to buy you lunch and pay you for your time! I cannot imagine a better crash course! Please let me confirm my work schedule for Monday and I will get back to you early tomorrow morning.

Thanks Jim!

 

[lightsgood]

I think having a good idea what you even want to use Photoshop for would help. The gateway drug for me was blending exposures (for dynamic range, content or other reasons). One of my favorite series for this was by Sean Bagshaw, "Developing for Extended Dynamic Range".

Thanks Kyle! Sounds like a good place to start!

 

[lightsgood]

I have also found Julianne Kost to be very helpful. She has videos going back years on various aspects of Photoshop and Lightroom, including the newer CC package.

Thanks Barry. I really like Julianne's stuff. I have learned a lot about Lightroom from her.

 

[lightsgood]

I'm going to assume you get a lot of quality material and learning when paying for courses; however, I just posted some Youtubers that offer free content in this same forum.

Phlearn is the all around Photoshop master.

In terms of using Photoshop for landscape post processing, assuming that's what you'll be doing, you'll want to know the following:

• Layers = necessity knowledge
• Layer masks = basic requirement
• Adjustment layers = basic requirement
• Exposure blending = intermediate knowledge
• Luminosity masks = more advanced concept

Excellent advice Ryan. You nailed the content I most want to learn. I appreciate the help!

 

[Kyle Jones]

I'd also be willing to bet that if you come up with specific questions (like "how do I select just the sky in my image") you would get a lot of helpful responses in that thread

 

[Ben Egbert]

The very first thing to learn is the menu, it's extensive and things are buried in sub menus. When you watch or read a tutorial they usually give you step by step details that include the menu locations. This and how you have the tools set up on your screen is the fist step.

 

[lightsgood]

I'd also be willing to bet that if you come up with specific questions (like "how do I select just the sky in my image") you would get a lot of helpful responses in that thread

Right on Kyle. I will do that. Very helpful stuff!

 

[lightsgood]

The very first thing to learn is the menu, it's extensive and things are buried in sub menus. When you watch or read a tutorial they usually give you step by step details that include the menu locations. This and how you have the tools set up on your screen is the fist step.

I have been working on this Ben. Still seems super complicated but that's where it all starts! Thanks

 

[JimFox]

Man, that would be amazing. We are out and about until late Sunday, but if Monday works for you I would be happy to buy you lunch and pay you for your time! I cannot imagine a better crash course! Please let me confirm my work schedule for Monday and I will get back to you early tomorrow morning.

Thanks Jim!

Lot's of good thoughts and suggestions by everyone in here.

Ryan, don't worry about the cost, your being a Founding Member has it's perks!

Monday will probably end up being when I do leave, so depending on what time I get on the road, I should be there around 11am or so. It just depends on what time I leave for sure and also any traffic.

Jim

 

[lightsgood]

Lot's of good thoughts and suggestions by everyone in here.

Ryan, don't worry about the cost, your being a Founding Member has it's perks!

Monday will probably end up being when I do leave, so depending on what time I get on the road, I should be there around 11am or so. It just depends on what time I leave for sure and also any traffic.

Jim

I agree Jim. Great suggestions from the group! I did not expect such a generous offer! I am super excited for Monday! I will PM you my mobile number and address. My office is 25 minutes from my place. Just let me know when you get close and I will meet you there. Safe travels!!!

 

[lightsgood]

Hello Jim! Thank you so much for your time yesterday. I learned a lot. I think I am headed in the right direction now. The help and the support from you and the members quoted above are proof that belonging to this forum definitely has it's rewards! Thanks again everyone!

Ryan

 

[Sasquatchian]

What seemed to work well for me was to identify a specific task I wanted to achieve - cloning, color correction, combining multiple images together, etc. and learn to do one at a time, slowly building a foundation on which to add more skills. I wouldn't get too worried about trying to learn too much at once as there's just too much for any one person to know. Bite off very small chewable bits and digest them before moving on. This might seem like a slow slog - and it is, but it's also a way of not being overwhelmed. After twenty three years this month, that approach is still working. I would also emphasize NOT learning how to do specific "tricks" but instead learn how the program works so you can then use the tools in Ps to produce whatever it is you've dreamt up.

 

[Jeffrey]

There's two distinct elements to learning landscape post processing, regardless of software used. One is the creative end which is learning and then knowing what you want to do to your image. What needs adjusting and what to leave alone. Your vision and desires for an image. The second is finding the tools to accomplish your tasks and eventually learning the nuances and parameters of each tool that you will use. For starting with PS, I'd teach using layers and then stick to the basic adjustments before moving on to other tools. Hue & Saturation, levels (or curves), cropping, saving the file in different ways. You can do a lot with just those. Lot's of good recommendations here, and don't forget Lynda.com.

 

[JimFox]

What seemed to work well for me was to identify a specific task I wanted to achieve - cloning, color correction, combining multiple images together, etc. and learn to do one at a time, slowly building a foundation on which to add more skills. I wouldn't get too worried about trying to learn too much at once as there's just too much for any one person to know. Bite off very small chewable bits and digest them before moving on. This might seem like a slow slog - and it is, but it's also a way of not being overwhelmed. After twenty three years this month, that approach is still working. I would also emphasize NOT learning how to do specific "tricks" but instead learn how the program works so you can then use the tools in Ps to produce whatever it is you've dreamt up.

Good points here. When I do think back 15 years or so ago, as I was learning to apply photoshop to photos, it was working on one thing at a time. Back then it was a lot of buying books and trying different techniques. And I also did just really focus on one thing at a time. So I think your advice here is very wise.