How to learn Photoshop
Discussion
Depends on how you best learn. For the basic concepts I would look for an evening class at a local college and then use online tutorial for specific techniques.
It's not hard to learn the basics but it is a deep program that needs practice to het get the best out of it, so it depends how far you want or need to go.
It's not hard to learn the basics but it is a deep program that needs practice to het get the best out of it, so it depends how far you want or need to go.
Paid courses are going to be the way to go for quickest results, I use an old (and now unsupported) version for a nerd hobby of mine and learnt it all from YouTube but it took many months, there is a wealth of knowledge on there.
If you're starting out then you could try some of the free programs, like GIMP GNU Image manipulation and see how you get on. It's never going to be as good but it's not as far behind as people think, especially for a free program and again there are loads of tutorials around.
If you're starting out then you could try some of the free programs, like GIMP GNU Image manipulation and see how you get on. It's never going to be as good but it's not as far behind as people think, especially for a free program and again there are loads of tutorials around.
I've been using PS for nearly 20 years (god I'm old)
I started by just the odd photoshop of cars, I obviously like cars so i was a good place to start
Try digimods - http://www.digimods.co.uk/tutorials/index2.htm
I started by just the odd photoshop of cars, I obviously like cars so i was a good place to start
Try digimods - http://www.digimods.co.uk/tutorials/index2.htm
If you're completely new to it, you really need a structured course. Most Adult Colleges run Photoshop courses in beginner / intermediate / advanced chunks and IMO, you'll get far more from being amongst others when learning.
If that's not your thing, then have a look on Udemy - some good beginner courses there.
You Tube is a great resource for finding out how to do specific things but in my experience can be hit and miss when looking to learn something from scratch.
Also, Adobe themselves provide some really good 'getting started' type tutorials.
If that's not your thing, then have a look on Udemy - some good beginner courses there.
You Tube is a great resource for finding out how to do specific things but in my experience can be hit and miss when looking to learn something from scratch.
Also, Adobe themselves provide some really good 'getting started' type tutorials.
I use it every single day for work having used it pretty much since the first day of uni. Having used it for the last 15 years I would say that it is not something you can learn in a day you need to learn the basics which you can't to grips with in few days. The side bars might look daunting but remember there is a help bar so if you can't find the tool you need. I mean it depends how far advanced you want to get.
Despite being relatively experienced in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign you wouldn't believe how many forget the basics, something as simple and labelling layers. I mean when you get sent stuff someone else has worked on and you have to spend an hour going through the layers to find out what is what it really makes you think.
Most of the tools you need, you will use all the time so if it's something as simple as a photograph with some text you can make some good looking stuff in minutes using a tutorial.
Photoshop is definitely one to learn first before moving onto After Effects and the like which even I find daunting.
Despite being relatively experienced in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign you wouldn't believe how many forget the basics, something as simple and labelling layers. I mean when you get sent stuff someone else has worked on and you have to spend an hour going through the layers to find out what is what it really makes you think.
Most of the tools you need, you will use all the time so if it's something as simple as a photograph with some text you can make some good looking stuff in minutes using a tutorial.
Photoshop is definitely one to learn first before moving onto After Effects and the like which even I find daunting.
Edited by sutoka on Tuesday 20th April 03:14
I recommend Udemy. I'm doing certain courses on there to supplement my learning while at university and they (for the majority) seem to be well structured and pretty cost effective. Wait until the sale is on, I think new sign ups get a monumental discount anyway.
I've been using Photoshop for 20 years and now use it almost daily for my degree. I'm certainly no expert and I still use YouTube to learn the odd thing!
I've been using Photoshop for 20 years and now use it almost daily for my degree. I'm certainly no expert and I still use YouTube to learn the odd thing!
Edited by Jimmy No Hands on Tuesday 20th April 19:02
There are a few different approaches you could take, but if the sort of work you need to carry out is quite specific and you don't need to use the full set of features, I wold get someone in, get them to act as a basic consultant to show you what approach you need to take and to provide you with a step by step manual.
Or go on a college course which is more than a couple of hours a week to make sure things stick and that you're making progress. If you can get a part time job in a professional environment nothing will help you to learn and develop faster than that.
I would say you want to be working alongside someone so they can show you straight away. I've been using it since 89 and there is still plenty I don't know - it's a pretty deep application.
Or go on a college course which is more than a couple of hours a week to make sure things stick and that you're making progress. If you can get a part time job in a professional environment nothing will help you to learn and develop faster than that.
I would say you want to be working alongside someone so they can show you straight away. I've been using it since 89 and there is still plenty I don't know - it's a pretty deep application.
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