For a PhotoShop beginner : Overwhelming tutorials

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Posted By
Xeon
Dec 4, 2003
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518
Replies
10
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Closed
Hi! 🙂
I’m currently expanding on my knowledge of PhotoShop, and I’m reading the online tutorials rather than from how-to basic textbooks, cos’ I know roughly the basics already.

I’ve come across this tutorial that is really hard to remember the steps clearly : <http://www.photoshoptechniques.com/texp2/dropsptk.php>

As a beginner, do I need to force myself to remember all these settings and steps by heart?(such that I do the tutorial again and again and again till I can set all these steps and settings by heart and with my eyes closed)

I hope you can gimme your ideas on this,
Xeon. 🙂

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Helen_Polson
Dec 4, 2003
Do you need to learn tutorials? No! That’s what they’re written down for 🙂 Some people (i.e. me) like to keep printouts from the web based tutorials that they like and stick them in a binder which they can use as a reference.
C
CindySingleton
Dec 4, 2003
There is so much to PS that remembering EVERYthing would be difficult, especially the seldom used tricks. You will of course remember your favorite techniques to do certain things, but when it comes to something like the tutorial you linked to, do what I do. I have my own book I’ve created with cool tutorials that I’ve printed off the internet. I’ve been putting this book together since PS4 was new and it’s pretty nice now. Kind of like my recipe book – just my personal favorites. BTW, I’m still learning new and different ways to use PS after all these years. The big key is to keep using it. Like speaking a foreign language, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

~Cindy
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CindySingleton
Dec 4, 2003
Helen,

Looks like we were on the same page and wavelength at the same time.

~Cindy
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Xeon
Dec 4, 2003
Do you need to learn tutorials? No! That’s what they’re written down for Some people (i.e. me) like to keep printouts from the web based tutorials that they like and stick them in a binder which they can use as a reference

Thanks Helen! So, that means I don’t have to learn the steps by heart? :o:D

U see, from what these experts say and from the way they explain stuff and teach in their tutorials, they seem to know what’s really going on(they do!) and how to get the results they want without much experimenting with the settings.

Is it that I’ll come to this kind of level some day? I’m kinda scared that I’ll be a still "script kiddie" after years of using PhotoShop.
A "script kiddie" is someone who uses tutorials, code snippets and others’ work and implement them directly into their work without much or any thinking, or any understanding on their part.
(like eating chicken chop without knowing how to cook it etc.)

Thanks, Helen and folks! 🙂
Xeon.
KS
Ken_Storch_(aka_photon)
Dec 4, 2003
Xeon,

Helen and Cindy hit the mark, I think.

Something I did for myself, and recommend to students, is to do a project of your own interest. Some parts will be fast and easy, others may be slow as you crawl up the learning curve.

I used to do a similar ‘notebook’ thing, and used the Visual Quickstart Guide for reference. Now, all that info is crammed in my head and I don’t need such material, except in rare cases.

No one, even experts, know everything about PS, it’s too deep. That said, experimentation and exercise (frequent usage) will prove valuable over time.

And, have some fun with it too!

Ken Storch
HP
Helen_Polson
Dec 4, 2003
Looks like we were on the same page and wavelength at the same time.

🙂 Too right Cindy!

Xeon, the best thing about Photoshop is experimenting with things. To use your cooking analogy, at the moment you’re following recipes. As you get better at using the program and learn more you’ll be more adventurous and learn to make your own versions of the recipes (with varying results, not everything will work!). After that, when you take another step up you’ll be inventing your own recipes! And as Ken says, have fun with it, you’ll find you elarn a lot more much quicker if you’re enjoying what you’re doing.
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Xeon
Dec 5, 2003
From Cindy:
but when it comes to something like the tutorial you linked to, do what I do. I have my own book I’ve created with cool tutorials that I’ve printed off the internet.
But isn’t this gonna cost you bucks for buying the ink cartridges? :D:)

And thank you, folks! I’ll always bear your advice in mind! :):)
DM
dave_milbut
Dec 5, 2003
Xeon, a good thing to do with a tutorial to help you remember (at least for me) is to try to "actionize" some of the more complex steps – if you can. That way it’s always in photoshop, and you can refer to the steps in the action when you wish to maybe use that knowlege to expand on a technique.
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Xeon
Dec 5, 2003
Thanks Dave! Yes, that’s true. Anyway, the infinite amount of possibilities in PhotoShop is neverending. I mean, you can combine all kinds of filters with all kinds of transformations with all kinds of effects and more. 🙂 :-O

But I guess this is why the tool is the most powerful graphic editing software in the history of mankind.(unless I’m wrong….and PaintShop Pro can’t compare to PS, it seems) 🙂

Anyway, just 2 quick questions :

1) What’s the difference between the Fade effect(Ctrl + Shift + F) and opacity settings? Surely, if I apply the Fade effect to an object and if I reduce the opacity(alpha-blending) of an object, the result is the same?

2) What are channels for?(defining the shape of an object?)

Thanks guys! :):)
PC
Philo_Calhoun
Dec 5, 2003
Fade effect allows you to change mode. For instance, with USM, with fading one can change mode from "normal" to "luminosity". Channels can be used to create selections and selections can be saved as channels. They can be individually sharpened or blurred (depending on colour noise in file), and examination of channels provides the key to most colour defects. They are used in calculations and channel mixing. One could go on for pages.

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