new photoshop user, and its hard

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:15

I consider myself to be a fast learner with software however last night i found myself completing a CSS tutorial which involved me using photoshop for the first time. I found the software very difficult to use and im just worried that im not going to get any better with it. What is the best way to use photoshop should i just keep at it completing tutorials etc until i eventually get the hang of it, and do other users find this so hard? , i found the use of layers etc to be very difficult at first.

shifty_uk · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:16

Why are you so worried? Just mess around with it, like everything else in this world, it'll come eventually with practice.

robinson09 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:18

There are thousandsss of tutorials out there, go to www.good-tutorials.com for a start. Just keep making cool things, you'll be amazed with what you can do in no time, just need to learn the UI. Moral of the story, persavere my friend!

antijoke · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:19

Excellent tutorial site

98p · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:21

Just use it, dont jump straight into tutorials, read what each tool does and then once you know that you will understand the tutorials more.

McGray · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:24

Rome wasn't built in a day Squire....

reflux · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:25

Photoshop is easy....well, I would say that, I've been using it for seven years

But seriously, once you get the hang of it, and you will, you'll be able to do some great stuff. I guess part of it is physically compartmentalizing it in your mind - knowing what tools to use, how layers work, what the image adjustments do etc.

Just keep at and follow some tutorials

Django x2 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:26

I've been using photoshop for 5 years and probably only use half of its full capabilities, if that. The problem is, there are often many different ways to accomplish the same task. Just take your time and find what works best for you. Don't stick to one tutorial, look at 3 or 4 different ones for the same topic.

EG: I wanted to do reflective writing. One tutorial I looked at was over 20 steps. Another I looked at was 5 steps and have exactly the same, if not better, result.

Paul11 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:34

as above

give it time

it will come

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:40

thanks for the good words guys, i will stick at it, going to do a sig tutorial i think and see how i fair with that. I really would like to get fluent with it.

AtlanticP · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:45

Paul11 said:
as above

give it time

it will come

Simple and to the point - wise words tbh

Stick with it and it will become easier each time you get stuck in. Concentrate on one thing only though. Dont try and learn CSS then dive straight into PS. One at a time mate

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 14:52

yea i understand, gota to say though its easier now i have my 24 inch mintor, was difficult on 19.

Nimzicki · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:49

lol wtf has monitor size got anything to do with using the program.

reflux · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:53

Nimzicki said:
lol wtf has monitor size got anything to do with using the program.

Actually a lot. I find it a right ballache to use it on my 15'' laptop LCD, vs. general awesomeness on the 24'' on my main rig.

Bigger screens allow you to view documents in a different way, view more documents on screen, have more palettes open and also share the screen with other apps. It's a big improvement because it makes things easier.

98p · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:53

Nimzicki said:
lol wtf has monitor size got anything to do with using the program.

Lmao !

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:55

try having a desk with a 19inch crt monitor in your face running a low res with little room for your keyboard and paperwork.

Then imagine the same desk with a 24inch lcd allowing lots of room and high res, plenty of room to study tutorial paperwork etc.

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:56

with relevance to the high res meaning i can have lots of palettes and windows open.

Nimzicki · 2 Sep 2009 at 16:03

It can make certain activities easier in terms of space but it won't help learning the functions of the program which is the issue for a new user.

Also note, he said he started with a 19" monitor, hardly a low res 15" laptop is it. Fair enough if it was a CRT before but all thats done is making your general workspace nicer, doesn't affect your knowledge of the program itself.

Sorry for being a dick though, ill try and be more helpful, what are you actually trying to use PS for?

djinuk205 · 2 Sep 2009 at 16:22

its fine, the reason ive started learning it is mainly aimed at web design elements however i would like to have a basic understanding of the software to also be able to help my mum out who has just dipped her toes into digital photography but thats just a added bonus.

whitecrook · 2 Sep 2009 at 23:11

ahh. i remember using photoshop back in '96 to enhace the awesomness of Quake screenshots with gibs and body parts etc - on a P100 with a 14" screen.... You guys with your 19" CRT and 24" LCDs are spoiled.

Remember also, that photoshop is a tool, a means to an end. It's like asking to a certain (much simplified extent) How do I use a saw? It depends what you are wanting to use it for...