Was a Costco tonight and almost bought Photoshop 5. Thought I might ask a few questions before I really purchase it....
1. Can it do a lot more than the basic 2.0?
2. Will I ever be able to understand how to use it??? hahaha!
3. Seriously....any book recommendations? websites? How do I get started learning how to use it at its full potential.
4. I just want my photos to look great. Is that too much to ask?
5 I really want to know what all those things are on the left side brushes and layers and what not. I'd really like to know how to use them properly instead of making it up.
6 Will it be too hard for me who knows relatively nothing about photoshop??? Or would it be a total waste of money because it is similar to 2.0?
Questions questions and no answers.....
Thanks for any and all responses.
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- Heather
- wife to one, mom to four. This blog serves as a recording spot of our day to day. Our kids are growing so quickly and the time is short. I am happy to have a place to document our lives just as they are right now. The good, the bad and the funny. Thanks for stopping by...please leave a comment. I've loved the connections I've made so far through blogging. It's always nice to make new friends.
5 comments:
Hi. I've read your blog for a while after I found it through Kimberly's. I hope you don't mind. I really love all the pictures you take! You have a great eye and take some awesome shots.
I have photoshop 5.0 but I'm not too sure what exactly is different between it and version 2.0 that you currently have because I have never used version 2.0 and don't know which tools and brushes it has. Howeveer I wanted to let you know there is hope because I taught myself how to use photoshop by reading the guidebook that comes with it and by looking at many online tutorials that were a big help. There are also classes that you can take for photoshop to learn how to use all of it's tools. The layering tools and such are fairly easy to use it's just a matter of knowing the correct things to click and playing around a bit. I'm trying to find a few of the sites that I used to help teach myself to see if they would be of help.... but YOU can definitely learn how to use them! :]
Hey Heather! I've been having similar thoughts lately. I want to get more into digital scrapbooking & found the best site: www.twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com
They have tutorials & free down loads. I guess the new hot thing is Photoshop CS2. It is supposed to be way easier to use & one button can do things in one step that would usually take 2 or 3. I found out that if you already have photoshop you can buy just the upgrade.
Hello, Heather. Let me put my AdobeNerd hat on to help with this question. There, much better.
Okay, so Photoshop. First off, don't waste time on CS2. CS3 is just around the corner and, trust me, you'll be pissed if you buy the older version months before the new version launches (and forget to save your receipt for the free upgrade). And in any case, the Creative Suite are programs created for professionals, with a lot of stuff that "normal" people just don't need. If you're using CS for photo retouching, it's like mowing your lawn with a helicopter blade: it'll do the job, but it's easier to just use a lawnmower. Elements will do.
As far as 5.0 vs. 2.0, my recommendation would be to stick with what you have. As long as it works with your opersting system, there's no real reason to upgrade.
Here's a little secret: there isn't a huge difference between versions really, just a few bells & whistles for the hardcore. Learning 2.0 inside and out will give you a knowledge base to work from when and if you decide to upgrade.
Personally, I find that the best way to learn a program is to simply mess around with it. Figure out what you want to do and start working out how to do it. The help menus are your friend. I can't tell you how many times I consulted the GoLive help menus when I built my website, having used GoLive for a grand total of one (short) project in my entire carreer as a student.
If that fails, there's always books. Adobe publishes "Classroom In a Book" volumes (that I don't think are all that helpful) that give you a look at all the basic features by using little assignments that have detailed, step-by-step instructions. It's how I learned the rudiments of Photoshop, but, like I said, I think the best education is supplied by trial and error.
I just did a quick Amazon search and saw this book that looks pretty good: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0: A Visual Introduction to Digital Imaging by Philip Andrews. The reviews are positive and it looks to hit on all the major points necessary for a good foundation in Photoshop. Plus, you can get it used for about $20 including shipping. Check it out. You can search the book on Amazon's site.
Anyway, so that was long. I hope this helps. AdobeNerd, out.
I have Photoshop Elements 4.0 and I'm happy with it. This site:
jenjen.typepad.com/digiscrap/
taught me a lot. It's mostly for digital scrapbooking, but it helps you with Photoshop too.
WOW! Thanks for all the insightful information.....I'm sticking with the basics here and gonna check into that website.
Thanks again!
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