Photoshop for newbies

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Submitted By: jtessmer

Joined: Dec 4 2006

Posts:

Photoshop for newbies

Posted: December 5, 2006 - 1:24pm

Hello everyone this is my first post on Shutterbug, although I have been visiting the forums for a few days now.

I'm in the process of retiring from one hobby and searching for another. I've been a guitar player in a band for many years and now that the kids are getting older (and so am I). It's time to take up a more family friendly hobby. Photography has always interested me although I've just takin family pictures with a inexpensive digital Olympus camera.

So in the process of selling of my band gear I have some funds to purchase a nice digital SLR, upgrade my studio computer and start trying my hand at photography.

My first question of many is about Photoshop. I have the ability to purchase version 7.0 for a discounted price through work. Am I biting off more then I can chew with this program? Should I start off with the new Photoshop Elements 5.0?

I know what it means to have the right tool for the job, but I've never worked with this program before. In the end I'd like maybe to produce some gallery quality prints and maybe sell some stock photos.

Get the big boy right away? Or learn on a smaller version?

Thanks in advance

Submitted By: Oly

Joined: Feb 3 2006

Posts:

Re: Photoshop for newbies

Posted: December 5, 2006 - 10:25pm

Learn on the Elements version.

If you even have to ask this question, you do not as yet need the "Big Boy".

I would even suggest an earlier version of Elements - I actually have 3, but prefer 2 - extremely cheap on eBay.

Your problem will be the "learning Curve" - it's pretty steep. Really.

I like to reccomend a certain book: "Master PhotoShop Elements 3 - VISUALLY." This book "Takes you by the hand" - you will probably need that. It shows the screen you will see, and what you will be DOING with that screen! I got mine for very little - on eBay! It works almost as well with Version 2.

I found that book by the method I reccomend: go to the local library and get out all the books related to PhotoShop that you can find: some will appeal to you, some not. Most make the assumption that you already know how to do it: you do NOT! What you will need is step-by-step instruction.

Although you evidently don't mind spending the money for "The Big Boy", I think this method will be best: being new, a lot of the stuff you will see in ANY PhotoShop version, will be over your head. Elements, of whatever version, may well be all you ever need, but if you DO want to upgrade, you will do it in the future when more marvelous versions are available.

I have a friend who has access to "The Big Boy", and when we get together for our christmas party, he wants to borrow my Elements disk - it's so much easier to use!

Submitted By: Oly

Joined: Feb 3 2006

Posts:

Re: Photoshop for newbies

Posted: December 5, 2006 - 10:36pm

Sorry - didn't really read all of your post.

Same thing - why start with a big DSLR? They are heavy and cumbersome. You have no idea what you really need.

Get a nice "point-and-shoot" that you can have with you at all times. I, personally am loving my little Panasonix TZ1 for it's long zoom range and Optical Image Stabilization - which does actually stop most blur from your hand's movement. My tiny Minolta Xt died, and I still miss it's tiny size.

At any rate, for what you save by getting Elements, you can get a nice P&S camera, and USE IT FOR A WHILE!

Then, just as with "Bigger" photoshop versions, you will know what to look for when you go to "upgrade" - although in my view, the smaller camera ALWAYS with you, wins.