The LEARNING PROCESS

IN BRIEF: Tips about how to learn Photoshop.

When I first started I wanted to get complete control over the program as fast as possible. Now, several years and 4 books later, I’m still learning.

Photoshop might well be the most difficult program you've ever learned to use. And if you haven’t used other graphics programs it will probably the most difficult by a long way. There is simply loads and loads to learn about this program so don’t expect to be anything like a master within a few weeks. Also unlike many programs the learning process for photoshop is unending. There are so many possible different techniques that use combinations of tools, blend modes, filters etc. and more are being invented all the time.

Don't be in a hurry

Don’t expect to be an expert in few weeks - you’ll probably end up disappointed. There are a lot of commands to learn but learning photoshop is much more than just these. Many techniques involve using several commands together in a certain sequence. It takes time and there’s always more to learn.

Don’t waste too much time with filters

When you first start using Photoshop it’s tempting to try out all the filters. These generally make the biggest difference to a picture from a single command. While you might want play a bit with these don’t waste too much time with these as they’re not the most useful things for creativity.

Instead concentrate on the learning the tools in the tools palette, learn about layers, masks, adjustment layers, blend modes and in Photoshop 6 and up, layer styles.

That said there are a few exceptions, a few of the filters are really useful for a variety of things: Unsharp Mask, Gaussian Blur, Motion Blur Add Noise are essential. Filters are often most useful when used as part of complete technique. See the worn text tutorial for an example.

Tutorials

If you’ve found this you’re on the right track. There are hundreds of tutorials on the internet. They’re free and are an excellent way to learn. These come in different levels of difficulty, beginner to advanced, so start off easy and progress at your own pace. Check the links page for some.

Buy a good book

Web tutorials only take you far so I’d also recommend buying a book at some stage in your learning. Many books for learning new programs are a waste of money, you can learn by playing around and using the Help menus if you get stuck. Photoshop is not that kind of a program. The first book I got was Sams Teach Yourself in 24 hours. I was given this and although OK as an introduction it left a lot of stuff out.

Next I tried to economise by buying one of the cheaper books. I learned, but again found it didn’t answer all my questions.

The last book I got the Photoshop Wow book and although expensive (£38) was well worth the money - cheaper than any courses you can go on and probably much better. I bought this partly because the step up from version 5.5 to 6 was so significant too. This book teaches using tutorials similar to those on the web except they’re much longer and more in depth. For version 6 it also goes into a lot of detail about layer styles in and comes with a load of very useful presets on the accompying CD. Looking and playing with these is also an excellent way to learn.

Mix work and play

Don’t just do tutorials and work through books. This is supposed to be fun. Sometimes its good just to play and mess around with the stuff you've learnt and experiment with stuff you haven't. Sometimes really interesting stuff is made like this. You don’t just use other people’s techniques. Invent your own.

Learn the keyboard shortcuts

Obviously they'll help you do things quicker but not just so you can get more at work done. These help and encourage creativity by experimenting less effort.

Art and Design

Learning to use Photoshop is not the same as learning about art and design. You wouldn’t consider yourself a writer just because you could use a word processor or a painter just because you can hold a brush.

The skills learned in Photoshop are like learning to use the controls of a camera. It’s only after you are comfortable using them that you can begin to concentrate on what it is you are trying to create. When the technical side becomes second nature your mind is freed to think about your subject and it’s composition.

Learning about art or design is not covererd in photoshop books or tutorials so make sure you look beyond just these if you’re unfamiliar with those skills before.

Summary

It would have been possible to do this by applying the spatter filter straight to the type. But there are several reasons why using the layer mask method is better.