Learning Photoshop on the cheap

[RichardSeah]

Hi,

Would like your suggestions, What's the best way to learn Photoshop without having to spend plenty of money?

Some questions:

1. Who conducts photoshop courses and how much do they usually cost?
1a. Anybody conducts courses specially for photographers?

2. Among the many books on Photoshop, which would you recommend and why?
2a. Where is best place to buy? The books generally quite costly.

3. What is the difference between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements? Which do you use and why?

Right now, the way I learn is just try try, click here click there and see what happens and if no good just revert or don't save - which is not too bad way to learn.

But I feel it is time to progress.

Suggestions? Any CSnapper willing to do a course for a reasonable fee?

BTW: Thanks to those who posted various articles on Photoshop tips.

[espn]

Look for Clown, he's teaching PS and charges on per hourly basis.

[RichardSeah]

Originally Posted by espn Look for Clown, he's teaching PS and charges on per hourly basis.

Thanks.

You always very fast to reply

Hourly basis means like private tuition?

[wainism]

Originally Posted by RichardSeah Hi, Would like your suggestions, What's the best way to learn Photoshop without having to spend plenty of money? Some questions: 1. Who conducts photoshop courses and how much do they usually cost? 1a. Anybody conducts courses specially for photographers? 2. Among the many books on Photoshop, which would you recommend and why? 2a. Where is best place to buy? The books generally quite costly. 3. What is the difference between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements? Which do you use and why? Right now, the way I learn is just try try, click here click there and see what happens and if no good just revert or don't save - which is not too bad way to learn. But I feel it is time to progress. Suggestions? Any CSnapper willing to do a course for a reasonable fee? BTW: Thanks to those who posted various articles on Photoshop tips.

1. look for Clown. He is pretty good!!! seen him in action before.
1a. u need to know what u wanna do with PS then u ask him.

2. depending on which version of PS u using, u can try The Photoshop Book For Digital Photographers or the CS version. all by Scott Kelby. This author is very very good.
2a. Look for Riceball or visit Riceball photography at Adelphi level 4.

3. PS gives u much more control over the picture. and has more effects, filters, plugins etc. PE just gives u a very basic photo editing tool. havent used PE so i dun quite know the effects.

hope it helps.

[espn]

Yes, he believes in quality teaching, and doesn't go by classes, he goes by per person, 1 to 1.

Can PM him for more information, his works are currently on exhibition too in support for aid towards the tsunami victims.

Can look at his website http://www.lateral-i.com

[theITguy]

Learn the cheap way:

1. Read the books at bookstore
2. Borrow a book at library
3. Look for information on the internet


IMO, those courses can only teach you the fundamentals and functions PS has. To make good use of it, you need to explore the programme itself. Think of what you want to do, look for information on the internet. Most probably you can find a way to do it. PS is pretty foolproof if you know where to get the buttons, and when you have a creative mind you can easily master with it.

[nemesis32]

actually i think the starting point is the help section of PS. If you cover those, you should be able to do most things already! :P

[RichardSeah]

Originally Posted by nemesis32 actually i think the starting point is the help section of PS. If you cover those, you should be able to do most things already! :P

Thanks all for some very down to earth advice.

I have used PS Help before, but never thought of using it as a “tutorial”. Yes, this is probably cheapest and most convenient.

Read at bookshops? Pai seh lah.
Library? Yes, have done that before. But for me library can be expensive because I have bad habit of returning late, always kena fine

And thanks for the book recommendations. Will check them out.
I don't mind investing in a book but at $50 to $100, must think carefully.

More suggestions welcome.

[denniskee]

Originally Posted by wainism 2. depending on which version of PS u using, u can try The Photoshop Book For Digital Photographers or the CS version. all by Scott Kelby. This author is very very good. 2a. Look for Riceball or visit Riceball photography at Adelphi level 4.

clementi book shop selling this book cheaper by $3.

[bigtummy]

For me i will go national library to borrow those photoshop books. Free, but the process of the learning will be very slow.

[Caussway]

You can start from here : Photoshop for Dummies

[igpenguin]

i first learned photoshop from a library book. get one that has a CDROM with the example files shown in the book examples so you can practise and follow the steps.

really, i used to pay the library a fair bit of fine dues. but for sheer variety and accessibility to books at no cost (i learnt to be a little more punctual in returning books) the library is hard to beat.

if i have to buy i would go for a specialised PS book like on solely colour correction - something that i can refer to again and again, on a subject that the author really knows inside out.

basic PS books are good if you follow the tutorial examples and get practice using the various tools and features. once you get the hang of it, the basic PS books probably would be lying on the bookshelf for quite a while.

[firestone]

Hi guys,
Hope u won't mind my posting.

Anyway,I'm hoping to share abt PS with one person for an Hour 'IN EXCHANGE' for coming to my house in Jurong/TohGuan to calibrate my x2 monitor with Eyeone Display 2!

No $$ involved...cheapest..Beginner is oso fine.

Pls visit my website for samples. www.redmonsoon.com
This weekend will be fine. Thks!

[Clown]

wah.. thanx espn and wainism for helping me advertise.. haha..

yea i do give photoshop 'tuition' of a sort to ppl who wants to learn. can PM or call me at 96983548 for enquiries.

there're a couple of good photoshop artist in CS too.. like firestone and tunster just to name 2.

most of us will be willing to give advice and a helping hand so just ask away! =)

[dennixg]

Anyone using GIMP instead of PS?
I am using GIMP version 2.2.3 for window & linux