Getting started with Photoshop CS4

[abijnk]

I am starting to learn Photoshop CS4 for the first time ever and am naturally finding it to be a little overwhelming. What I am in need of are good beginning tutorials in the form of websites, books and/or videos. I've seen a few recommendations from searching around here, but I need more basic stuff first (navigating the interface, what buttons are where, what the basic ones do) before moving on to the editing basics (which are more of what I am finding).

Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[seedster2]

http://www.kelbytraining.com/

They have free tutorials so you can try before you subscribe

 

[Nicolasdec]

I would also check out the Lynda Tutorials. Althou you need to subscribe it's worth it. It will turn you from a complete amateur to a expert.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

I was in your position for many years until I finally started educating myself this summer. I found it easy to actually search for effects and looks you wanted to achieve and then you learn the tools of the trade as you go. Hope these sites help you as much as they helped me.

http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/2008/04/01/100-wonderful-photo-effects-photoshop-tutorials/

http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/15-tutorials-for-recreating-authentic-photo-effects

 

[mashny]

I use Photoshop both professionally and as a hobby, and the source that helped me the most was Katrin Eismann's "Adobe Photoshop Restoration and Retouching." Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Res...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251094016&sr=8-1

She has files you can download so you can work along with her, and starts at a basic level and works her way up to more complex issues. This book was the foundation of my Photoshop knowledge. If you look at the Amazon comments about the book, you'll see that people unanimously love the book.

I've used the Lynda.com tutorials for other applications and agree that it's an excellent way to learn software.

 

[JFreak]

Forget effects for now, learn to use LAYERS and CHANNELS first and the rest will follow.

 

[abijnk]

Forget effects for now, learn to use LAYERS and CHANNELS first and the rest will follow.

I'm not looking for effects, I'm looking for getting started. I'm still having a hell of a time finding crap. There has to be a good introductory tutorial out there somewhere. Importing photos, making the basic adjustments and viewing meta data. I mean, I am finding all that stuff by myself slow but sure, however I would move along a lot faster if I had something like what Apple has for Aperture.

 

[akmorgan]

Try this site!

You might try this site:

http://www.photoshop-tutorials-plus.com/index.html

As a design student, I would be happy to help you with any questions as well!

 

[craigsharp]

www.good-tutorials.com

That is a very good one... It has many many many tutorials that i'm sure will suit your needs...

 

[pprior]

I would also check out the Lynda Tutorials. Althou you need to subscribe it's worth it. It will turn you from a complete amateur to a expert.

+1 to this.

I also HIGHLY recommend the Lynda website. It's costly, but I can't tell you how many PS books over the years I've bought and collect dust.

I'm a visual and auditory learner, and I learned so much more by sitting for 20-30 minutes per day for a few weeks on that site than from reading a LOT of stuff before.

 

[abijnk]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like there is a lot of good stuff here.

 

[Nicolasdec]

One more thing about Lynda.com, I subscribed to the site and im doing a few tutorials, The one I'm am on now is the Getting started with Photoshop CS4, it last more than 20 hours.

I just spent 30 minutes learning what all the settings in the Preferences panel.