Thursday, May 28, 2009

PhotoShop Elements 6.0 Learning as I go...


I have come to the conclusion that I am not a patient person. Well I have been told that all my life, but I didn't believe it. Well, I sort of did, but tried pretending that I was very patient. I am actually very patient when it comes to others. Patient in traffic, patient when the person in front of me cuts me off, or doesn't go through the light, even when they are on a cell phone. Patient with children, patient with old folks. Just not patient with myself. Which is what I am so frustrated!

I have been trying to learn PhotoShop. Of course I have been trying to do it without reading the book, trying to figure it out blindly on my own. The whole thing just seems so complicated. There is so much I want to know. Questions like layering words over a photo, sizing a photo in odd sizes and then getting it to print that way, creating a collage, making my own note cards, all of it. In reality I think I want a little more than just Photoshop. I think I want to be able to design my own images and perhaps that is more than just Photoshop?

And then there is the computer. Working on a laptop with a less than reliable connection, everything takes forever, from uploading photos, to saving photos it seems to move so slow. So here is the question: What does a person need in the way of computer technology, design software, and printing? Where does a person begin if they want to learn how to create their own cards, letterhead, brochures, advertisements and more?

Is there one place you can go for all the answers? I don't know. But I intend to find out. In the meantime found a class at my local scrapbooking store that teaches digital scrapbooking using PhotoShop. The class is only $40 which to me seems reasonable and I am the only person who registered. Probably because people don't see the connection between Photoshop and Scrapbooking. The class is on Sunday, so come back and I will let you know what I learn. Hopefully the instructor will be patient with me!

I am posting a photo that I took with my new camera. Its either an egret or a heron, I am not sure. This is the photo I want to layer with text. I will let you know how it turns out!

What new thing are you learning? Are you taking photos? Developing a new skill? Please share with us!

4 comments:

  1. I have recently got a new camera so I'm getting more into photography. I like to go on DeviantArt.com to see others work...I know there are some people there who may know of other programs you might want to use for photomanipulation and things... so you should try it. :)

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  2. For Photoshop, you may want to try JessicaSprague.com. She's one of the best digi scrapbooking teachers out there and she has two free classes on her site right now!

    As for learning the other stuff (ads, brochures, etc.), Adobe InDesign is better for that than photoshop because it's specificially for desktop publishing. There's a learning curve but the built-in Adobe help tutorials go a long way!

    Good luck!

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  3. Thank you so much for the input, suggestions and encouragement. I heard about Jessica Sprague and will look into the free classes! That is an offer I can't refuse. You guys should check out www.picnik.com and tell me what you think.

    I have never heard of DeviantArt.com so will definitely check that one out as well!

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  4. Oh my goodness, I am such a skater, I would just once be able to read the instructions, but it's easier to just skate thru life, bluffing, always bluffing.

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