Web designers: How did you figure out Photoshop?

[Nocturnal]

Was it through a book? Was it just by messing around with all the different tools? I'm stumped here, I have a book but it sure doesn't go into what I want to do. I want to make a layout in PS and have it sliced up and made nice. I know I'm not going to start out like those top nitch sites but I just want something basic for now.

 

[MaxDSP]

im not great with photochop, but what I have learned was from just messing around with the program.

 

[RossMAN]

CasioTech taught me everything I know.

 

[Phuz]

Years and years of just messing around.

Its best not to look at the "cool" sites because frankly, they can be very discouraging.

If you want to know how to create trendy, common effects... get a book. If you want to develop your own style and such, just start playing now.

While playing, if you see a style/effect/idea you'd like to fit in, look up a tutorial.

 

[melly]

You figure out Photoshop by reading a brief overview of the program to aquaint yourself with the tools. Next, do some basic functions using each tool. Lastly, experiment is the key. As my teacher told me, "Forget what each tool is supposed to do, and use it for another purpose."

 

[everman]

I"ve gone through tutorials on sites on how to make basic things like water effects for example, then you just take these things and use them to build more interesting things.

 

[Entity]

This has helped me.

My first experience with Photoshop was with PS4, quite a while ago (7 or 8 years, IIRC). I learned for a photojournalism class in HS, and have been using it since; despite that, the aforementioned book has really helped me catch new things and brush up on stuff.

Rob

 

[yobarman]

definatley years of messing around with it, and reading up on tutorials here and there.

 

[xyion]

Originally posted by: caramel
You figure out Photoshop by reading a brief overview of the program to aquaint yourself with the tools. Next, do some basic functions using each tool. Lastly, experiment is the key. As my teacher told me, "Forget what each tool is supposed to do, and use it for another purpose."

I couldn't agree more! While I am no design major with photoshop skills, I can hold my own using the software. I learned by taking some basic tutorials, and then just messing around with the program. If my computer is on, then PS open.

Don't be discouraged if you cant get exactly what you want quickly. Save a piece of art you create now, and look at it a couple months down the road when you have more experiance. You'll see how you've improved!

 

[notfred]

Worked in a graphic design firm for a couple years.

 

[dc]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
CasioTech taught me everything I know.

lol

 

[djheater]

The toolset premise is the same as every other WYSIWYG.

 

[tcsenter]

Unless you find that kind of thing intuitive, and I don't, there is really only so much that you're going to learn by messing around in Photoshop. I began to learn a lot more by doing some of the tutorials that can be found around the internet by Adobe, third-party companies, some by private individuals who have taken the time to develop tutorials. It was like "Oh...ah! That's how they do that."

The Photoshop manual and guide can be pretty helpful, too, but much of it seems to be written for those who are already familiar with graphics design and photo editing.

 

[edro]

Learn Actions, they are your friend.

 

[Krassus]

I just started messing around with it and learned it piece by piece. Several years i picked up the Photoshop Bible to fill in any possible gaps in my knowledge. At 1400 pages, it's as close as you're gonna get to mastering Photoshop

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

i didn't!

 

[777php]

trial and error

 

[Phuz]

Also, don't expect things to take a certain time to complete. I spend literally months changing only the most basic things. And you can't really time creativity anyway. Not that I ever finish anything anyway. (bad habbit)

Edit:

Check these out, two more layouts that will never get online. I never manage to get them coded (because I can't). What a waste.

This would be the folio (personal)
This would be more business..

I could dig up a lot more too.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dc

Originally posted by: RossMAN
CasioTech taught me everything I know.

lol

I'm glad that someone understood that

 

[melly]

Originally posted by: xyion

Originally posted by: caramel
You figure out Photoshop by reading a brief overview of the program to aquaint yourself with the tools. Next, do some basic functions using each tool. Lastly, experiment is the key. As my teacher told me, "Forget what each tool is supposed to do, and use it for another purpose."

I couldn't agree more! While I am no design major with photoshop skills, I can hold my own using the software. I learned by taking some basic tutorials, and then just messing around with the program. If my computer is on, then PS open.

Don't be discouraged if you cant get exactly what you want quickly. Save a piece of art you create now, and look at it a couple months down the road when you have more experiance. You'll see how you've improved!

woot, my long lost Photoshop Mate! lol

 

[melly]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey

i didn't!

*lick* long time no see!

 

[VBboy]

Photoshop has a user-hostile GUI left over from Mac. I use PainShop Pro instead.

 

[Transition]

Self-taught (i'm 21). I do sites for customers like this..

My Favorite Martin Guitars

Huge thanks to Teknodude on the board for doing all the great PHP scripting.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Photoshop has a user-hostile GUI left over from Mac. I use PainShop Pro instead.

Paintshop Pro is awesome for resizing, and basic stuff.....but it is not even in teh same league as Photoshop. I use both.

 

[Beau]

Just started messing around with it (shh... don't tell the girlfriend) a few years ago (PS3), and kept on using it.