Question

[Carrie]

What, if anything are you all doing with photoshop as in "earing a
living" or making money in some way?
I've been using it, learning it for around 10 years (started out with
version 7, actually I started out with Paint Shop Pro 7) and now have CS3,
which I like. I use it to create art, fix pictures, etc. I love doing this,
and learning new things about it, which seems never ending.
I'd like to do something more with it, the term "graphic design" comes to
mind (as catch all). I like designing book covers, which I've dabbled in
(just on my own, not for actual books). Making logos, setting up note cards,
etc. I have Illustrator and In Design, but over the years have learned
Office (2007) and use Publisher for anyting like that. I make things like
calendars, etc. Again, for myself and family, etc. Not like a business. I
have fixed picture for people who have asked me (like online discussion
groups) and a few times have gotten paid for this. But I just love doing
it. On the other hand, I don't wantto do things because I HAVE to, that I
don't feel creative about (if that makes any sense) Not sure I have enough
skills (or organized enough) to set up a business of some kind.
It would be nice, though to be able to do what I love AND earn some money
from it.
I got a flyer in the mail from a local Community College and one course
(online)offered is "Graphic Design". a 2 year Assoicate Arts degree (then
one is supposed to go to a regular college from there) I tracked down the
discription of this course, and it has the "art" ones (graphic design,
drawing, advertising setups, making basic websites, and such) but also
required are "English Composition", Math, Communication, Human Behavior,
etc. which I guess are required for the degree.
Going by what the art part sounds like, I probably already know it or a
lot of it (and thinking a teacher might not want me to do it MY way LOL) I
coudln't find anything about what was required for it for programs, but they
probably want you to have the newest PS.
I really don't plan to take college courses and get a degree. I'm 68
years old and don't plan to go to a real college (I live in a rural area and
have no car, for one thing) and won't ever be working for a graphic design
firm, or something.
I like the idea of learning on my own (which I have been doing) and at
some point, it would be good to do something with this. I've looked into
uploading my photos to sites that sell them as downloads (for $1.00 or so
each) but doesn't seem like this would be a way to bring in much money.
Book cover designing (for the self-publishers? I notice it says on them
something like "deduct $175 if you submit your own cover" so the publishers
must get covers from somewhere if the people don't submit their own)
Selling designs to greeting card companies? (online?) Submitting pictures
to magazines (online) or something?
Seems like there are millions of people already doing this.
I've noticed, a few times I have entered photo contests, usually the
prize is money, or a new (expensive) camera, and the person who wins usually
already has a $2000 camera and $3000 telephoto lens, and takes pictures in
Tahiti or something (exotic views) and wins. Also, I've noticed those
contests usually say that all photos that are submitted become the property
of the place running the contest.
I know, I'm rambling and will probably get at least a few rude remarks
back, but thought maybe we could get a conversation goind about "doing what
one loves" in a more business way?
I have looked this up and read books on it, but it usually involved
buying a lot of expensive things (one book I had said one HAD TO have a MAC
computer for a Graphic Design business) or something I can't do... like
retouching pictures for wedding photographers, which involves driving around
(and a more populated area).
Just looking for possible ideas- discussion about this. I once asked
something like this on a discussion group (doing what one loves and earning
money from it) and one person said "get your lazy ass down to the local
unemployment office and get a job!" I guess I can't stop people from
writing stuff like this, but people who love "computer art" (whatever an
overall term might be) and/or photography, and just love doing it (but t
woudl be nice to earn a little money from it... if one is organized enough
and knows how) might know what I mean...

[Carrie]

it's more like "what do I need to know"? ( to actually do something more
productive with this than have fun LOL)
and "how do I know what I don't know, that I should know?" Like putting it
all together in some way.

[david johnson]

i am all for people who go out and use there skills to get a job. The
reality is, to get a real job using photoshop in a company, i would
guess you would have to have some qualifications in graphic design.

to work for youself, you are as good as your last job really. There
are so many niches in photoshop. I for example rarely if ever do any
artist stuff. My photoshop work is more or less anythign else. But
mainly photo manipulation, making dvd covers and dvd menus. But mainly
as i work for myself making you guessed it dvd's :P

Any comments you receive on here will be from local knowledge. I am in
the UK, and i'd find it hard to believe you wouldl get a job as a
wedding photographers photo retoucher. they do it themselves.

A Mac is only preferable on the theory being it crashes less

Of course then some body decided to put windows on a mac, no idea how
stable that is now.

Any way i wish you look i looking for work, the main problem is
advertising for it, locally, which costs money of course. As an idea,
again though over here they do it pretty cheaply but in a mass
production way, make a book of photos. I was thinking more of say
older people.

A nice 50th 60 th etc birthday present from teh family. retouched up
there old photos, rips stains creases etc. and put into a book
designed into a theme. they are about £30 here but you just send your
photos and they print them into a book style, no retouching no
intensive touching up and stuff of course.

[Ulysses]

Here is my suggestion
try a web design. if you have a copy of microsoft office
run the program microsoft publisher. it is an easy starter
set up some of your graphics ideas then publish on the web
most providers have a free web page. you will get comments
from friends and associates to say if you have the talent
don't use anything personal at first. show it to anyone who
can give you further advice I spent days doing my web page
and oh god what fun. wish i could give you my web site,
but can't. must remain anonymous...good luck, carrie

[Carrie]

"Ulysses" <uly...@whatsthat.com> wrote in message
news:kqxlr.20587$Ec.1...@newsfe16.iad...

Thanks for the feedback. I just want to do "what I love" but be more
productive (maybe thats it?) I have made webpages, and have some now
(Angelfire has free ones, with ads, but now I have found they don't let you
use ftp without paying for the website, so maeans going in and uplaoading
from the site, which is time consuming) I do pretty much know Publisher. I
have made address labels (to give people as gifts) and notecards. Just
nothing that seems like a businesss
I looked into self publishing, I have a lot of pictures that have stories
with them (I know the stories LOL) but using color pictures is complicated
and expensive. This morning I thought of having them printed like spiral
bound (like reports) someplace like Kinkos? This just came to me.
once made I could offer them for sale on ebay or the craft site, etsy.
I've also thought of screensavers (I have a lot of pictures where I live,
Vermont) I had a screensaver maker but now found it doesn't work with
Windows 7 (the finished screensavers).
I just have to get something "together" using all I might know. I don't
thinik I need a degree, I won't ever be going to a job for a real company.
Just thought we could get a discussion going about this. Doing what we
love?

[Ulysses]

My internet provider allows me to have up to 5 web sites
presently I am using 4. each time I improve on the previous one
using photoshop. now they look downright professional
I am quite sure your provider will do the same.. ask them
all is FREE.....no ads