So you want to learn Photoshop? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/30/2008 08:21:58 PM · #1

OK folks I will be the first to admit I have alot to learn about photography and more to learn about editing. So I am always looking for ways to learn. So I buy books and read and read and read some more. But putting that to use is tough when its just reading. Well I found a book that actually teaches me to use the techniques that the book talks about. Not only that but they provide the exact settings and the photos to work on. I have learned alot already and everytime I open it and CS3 up I learn more. If you want to learn photoshop CS3 pickup This book download the files they provide and watch the light bulb go on over your head.

I'm usually not a pimper of products, in fact I have a bone to pick with SK over his photo walk thingie for the launch of LR2. But thats another story.

Here is one photo from the lesson book that I edited(I did add the Â© so no one would think I could take a photo that good, but I did edit it from the raw provided.

This book gets two thumbs up from me. It has taught me curves, masking, shortcuts lots of techniques that I have tried to learn in the past and just couldnt grasp. The book is simple in lay mans terms and provides you with everything to do it but the computer and CS3.

Matt

Lonni

Nikon D700

11/30/2008 08:27:03 PM · #2

Hi Matt, is it possible to post the unedited jpg (convert from raw with standard settings)? The photo looks great, but I don't have any idea what you started with.

Thanks.

11/30/2008 08:33:28 PM · #3

Originally posted by Lonni:

Hi Matt, is it possible to post the unedited jpg (convert from raw with standard settings)? The photo looks great, but I don't have any idea what you started with.

Thanks.

Sure here is the original just resized with no edits. Granted its a decent photo to start with........but here is what I do, I always use my own editing(lame) skills before I do theirs, and I never come close to the finished product and doing his method I learn things.

Matt

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

11/30/2008 08:50:55 PM · #4

how much did you pay for it? $40-50 is kinda out of my price range

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

11/30/2008 08:55:40 PM · #5

WOW! NIce job! (But, I'm still in CS2 land. :/ )
Very cool of you to share! :)

Lonni

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/30/2008 09:00:10 PM · #6

Thanks Matt, very impressive!

11/30/2008 09:03:34 PM · #7

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:

how much did you pay for it? $40-50 is kinda out of my price range

I am a borders customer, so I get coupons for % off e-mailed to me all the time. They can be used online as well as in the store. I think I bought this one for $49.99 minus 30% so about $35. But I can assure you what I have learned and applied to photos I have sold, have paid more dividends then I spent. The book really puts things in a context that can be understood by even the simplest of minds(me).

Matt

Edit for spelling.

Message edited by author 2008-11-30 21:04:11.

11/30/2008 09:09:19 PM · #8

huh, well i have bought photoshop books in the past and they didnt really help. so thats a bit of money down the drain already. maybe ill get one if some kind relative gives me a borders card

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

11/30/2008 09:15:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:

huh, well i have bought photoshop books in the past and they didnt really help. so thats a bit of money down the drain already. maybe ill get one if some kind relative gives me a borders card

I have several photoshop books..........you have never seen me post about one of them before have you? :D

Matt

smichener

Nikon D300

11/30/2008 09:28:59 PM · #10

Hey thanks for the tip Matt. Looks like a great book.

I've added it to my Amazon wish list and they have it for 30 bucks.

Maggye

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/30/2008 09:36:20 PM · #11

thanks

MattO, and the good thing is that I get the NAPP discount!! ;)

11/30/2008 09:38:13 PM · #12

Originally posted by MattO:

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:
huh, well i have bought photoshop books in the past and they didnt really help. so thats a bit of money down the drain already. maybe ill get one if some kind relative gives me a borders card

I have several photoshop books..........you have never seen me post about one of them before have you? :D

Matt

LOL ok fine. thanks for the encouragement:)

Moose408

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/30/2008 11:23:26 PM · #13

That is one of the books sitting on my bookshelf. I haven't read it yet. Guess it's time to try.

I did go to Photoshop World and went to a session where Scott Kelby went through his 7 steps for portraits, so I have opened the book to look at that chapter and now use 4 of the 7 steps for every portrait I take. It's significantly improved my skills but I don't think I would have gotten it if I had not gone to his seminar.

Which reminds me that Dave Cross is doing a seminar here next week. Perhaps I should sign up.

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

11/30/2008 11:45:42 PM · #14

OK MattO, if you say so I'll give it a whirl. Thanks for the tip! Any chance you'll show some before & afters of some of your own work? I'd be curious to see 'em.

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D

11/30/2008 11:49:55 PM · #15

Scott Kelby is a great guy. I just received his book on Lightroom 2 FREE and AUTOGRAPHED last week. All this just for chatting it up in the train in Italy (on a trip) last summer with one of his friends. For those of you who do not own any Kelby books, run and get one (or a few) right now. I find them great!

PhotoDave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

11/30/2008 11:56:36 PM · #16

I have to admit I got this book a while back and Matt is right, its once of the few that I own also that didnt put me to sleep reading it and was actually informative and you can work on the actual photos that the author is using in the book as well... well worth the money

-dave

Hifi

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/01/2008 12:10:10 AM · #17

Funny, I ordered this particular book online last night before seeing this thread.

I borrowed it from the library before ordering it and have to totally agree with Matt - it is terrific. Very simple to understand and is easy read.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/01/2008 12:12:32 AM · #18

Originally posted by Hifi:

oh! never even thought about checking it out from the library, thanks:)

Hifi

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

12/01/2008 12:15:38 AM · #19

I found it so good - I got two reminders to return it. Didn't want to give it back!

bradshaw

Spypen QX-O

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

12/04/2008 09:24:31 PM · #20

just bought this book, went into a indigo to buy a photography or photoshop book after skimmer for an hour through a bunch decided to buy this one, so far its a great read.

sillygoat

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/05/2008 05:04:01 AM · #21

Ooo sounds tempting! I started using photoshop in the summer so I can use all the help I can get!
What is borders?

bobonacus

Canon EOS-7D

12/05/2008 05:41:35 AM · #22

Thanks for the review Matt, I've got a CS2 book that I've picked up a couple of times but after upgrading to CS3 I've not touched it!

I've just ordered my copy from
Amazon.co.uk for Â£14.99 (~$23!!!) as it's half price there at the moment :)

In fact it's half price on Amazon.com as well @ $29.99

BeckyT

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/05/2008 05:59:18 AM · #23

Wow that is awesome. I have both CS2 and CS3 books by Scott Kelby and love them. I will definately have to get this one.

Thanks for sharing.

Caravela

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

12/05/2008 07:06:09 AM · #24

If you really want to learn effective photoshop techniques and take your editing to the next level, check out this website //www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/! its above and beyond the best resource I've ever encountered for image editing. It helped me get my blue ribbon!!!

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D