Newbie

[Bethel_...@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right spot, but I have to start somewhere.

I'm not a pro, but I have a decent camera and I just got a copy of photoshop CS4. I've never run photoshop before... and it's kind of... complicated.

I want to learn to do more than just cut'n'paste. Is there a forum or a website that's best for newbies to take them from "what's a pixel?" through "what's a vector?" and beyond?

[Dav...@adobeforums.com]

Have you looked at the video tutorials on the distribution media and on Adobe's web sites?

If you put PhotoShop into iTunes store search, you'll find several sources of free video tutorials.

Googling for PhotoShop Tutorials will generate a huge number of promising leads, too.

[Bethel_...@adobeforums.com]

I was hoping to narrow it down some...

The choices are pretty overwhelming, and often not CS4 specific. Or worse - assume that since you have CS4 you're pretty skilled at photoshop.

I'll try the itunes idea.

[John Joslin]

Bethel

If you "just got a copy" of CS4 and know nothing about Photoshop you are in for a long grind because most of the tutorials assume you have a grasp of the basics.

I would buy Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book by the Adobe Creative Team. Work your way through every exercise and you'll be well on the way!

Read about it here:

<http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS4-Classroom-Book/dp/032157379X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227954074&sr=1-1>

[boblevine]

You might want to bite a $25.00 bullet and sign up for a month to month
subscription to Lynda.com. A month should be long enough to watch the
Photoshop training videos.

Bob

[dave_...@adobeforums.com]

I agree bethel. it's going to take some time, so patience. bob's suggestion to join a site dedicated to PS training, at least until you get up to speed, sounds like a good investment in this really powerful application!

[Phosąfour dots]

Been scratching at Photoshop for 13+ years, and I'm stilling learning new stuff and perfecting techniques I learned a long time ago. Just about everyone who uses the app, if they're honest, will confirm the same experiences.

Buckle in tight, Bethel, it's going to be a helluva ride!

:)

[Bethel_...@adobeforums.com]

Whoops...

That was one of the free gift options with the photoshop purchase, but I chose the font instead.

I figured the font wouldn't expire. And I liked it. Since one of the things I do is photo haiga I think the font will come in very handy.

[boblevine]

You made the right choice...That font costs a great deal more than $25.00.

Bob

[John Joslin]

Yes. And my optimum learning path would be Classroom in a Book followed up with a month or two on Lynda.com.

It's amazing how many videos you can watch in a month!

That's how I learned InDesign after they killed my other layout program.

[boblevine]

> That's how I learned InDesign after they killed my other layout program.

It was a mercy killing. <g>

Bob

[dave_...@adobeforums.com]

but I chose the font instead. I figured the font wouldn't expire. And
I liked it.

good choice! i agree. what's the font this time? i love the last 2 i got with cs2 and cs3!

[boblevine]

http://store1.adobe.com/type/browser/landing/hypatia/hypatia.html

Bob

[dave_...@adobeforums.com]

hypathia sans pro is the same font from cs3...

[dave_...@adobeforums.com]

I think. i have it. got it from one of my adobe purchases. i have that, brioso pro and garamond premier pro...

[Bethel_...@adobeforums.com]

Santivo Pro
<http://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-US&event=displayFontPackage&code=1730>

Absolutely beautiful, and will fit well with photo haiga.

(a little explanation: Haiga = Japanese calligraphic illustration and a haiku. Thus photo haiga = a zen-like photograph with haiku)

[boblevine]

Whoops...Brain cells are dieing at a near record pace these days.

Yes, it's Sanvito

Bob

[dave_...@adobeforums.com]

Santivo Pro

oooh! very nice! :)

[Buko]

I second Lynda.com also Classroom in a book.

CIB gives you a CD with files you can do the exercises on so it really sinks in.

Photoshop is by no stretch of the imagination an easy application to learn especially without help.

[Charlene...@adobeforums.com]

I second Bob's suggestion to try Lynda.com. They have excellent training videos and for $25 a month it is great. They include way more than Photoshop and have a lot of other software they teach as well. Great site.