Where to start with Adobe Photoshop
Anyone who has used Adobe Photoshop will tell you there is much to learn in order to perform the simplest tasks. You'd be forgiven for admitting that you feel a little confused by the wide range of menus, floating palettes and tools proposed.
I used Adobe Photoshop on a professional basis for 10 years and I grew up constantly. I currently teaches at a local university in this subject and still find that in each lesson that I find something new within this excellent photographic tool.
My students, intimidated by the huge size of the request, often ask, "Where do you begin?
This article is intended to answer this very question. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, I think the overview approach here will be beneficial for your future learning.
1. To begin ... Do not be afraid, it will not explode!
Explore Photoshop. Feel free to open an image and go through each menu, clicking on menu items and buttons or fixing bars and submitters ... Experience!
Of course, it would be wise to ensure that the image you use has also been back-up before starting the expedition.
What could go wrong? The only thing I could think of that can go astray is the odd floating palette. In this case, you can recall using the "Window" menu. So just relax, sit back and muck around with your image.
2. Photoshop navigation
To become competent and effective in using Adobe Photoshop, you must be comfortable with navigating around an image. Some tricks of the trade should be useful here.
There is nothing worse than trying to move from one area of an image to another using the default zoom and the Hand tool. The use of 'criminals' both Toolbar MASSIVELY slow you down!
Experiement 1: Try it for yourself for yourself ...
a. Open an image.
b. Start your stopwatch.
c. Use the zoom tool to increase the magnification to 200%.
d. Now, using the Brush tool, draw a line from the left side of your image on the right
e. Use the Hand tool to reveal the next part of the canvas.
f. Stop your stopwatch! How long did it take?
You will find both a slow method and a challenge to stay focused on the task, to pick up brush - paint, pick up tool - move, pick up brush - paint, etc.
Experiement 2: Now try this:
a. Open an image.
b. Start your stopwatch.
c. Use Ctrl + to increase the magnification to 200%.
d. Now, using the Brush tool (press B), draw a line on the left side of your image on the right
e. Hold the left mouse button and drag and space to reveal the next part of the canvas bar.
f. Stop your stopwatch! How long did it take?
First, Experiment 2 will only take a fraction of the time to get the same results as found in Experiment 1. Secondly, I bet you just thinking about it! You mind was allowed to ask about other things.
Hold the space bar toggles between the hand tool and the currently selected tool. Take your thumb in space and back to Brush tool bar.
Keep practicing the above exercise.
3. So what have we learned from this experience?
Using Quick-keys or shortcuts are simply the best way to run in Adobe Photoshop. They will both speed up your workflow and processing power of the brain to free valuable. In fact, you'll find that if you adopt the use of hotkeys, you will soon start working on a reactionary and instinctive basis. Photoshop reflex!
I rarely think about what I do while using Adobe Photoshop. That is, I do not have to think about the technical workings, only creative goals .......
Anyone who has used Adobe Photoshop will tell you there is much to learn in order to perform the simplest tasks. You'd be forgiven for admitting that you feel a little confused by the wide range of menus, floating palettes and tools proposed.
I used Adobe Photoshop on a professional basis for 10 years and I grew up constantly. I currently teaches at a local university in this subject and still find that in each lesson that I find something new within this excellent photographic tool.
My students, intimidated by the huge size of the request, often ask, "Where do you begin?
This article is intended to answer this very question. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, I think the overview approach here will be beneficial for your future learning.
1. To begin ... Do not be afraid, it will not explode!
Explore Photoshop. Feel free to open an image and go through each menu, clicking on menu items and buttons or fixing bars and submitters ... Experience!
Of course, it would be wise to ensure that the image you use has also been back-up before starting the expedition.
What could go wrong? The only thing I could think of that can go astray is the odd floating palette. In this case, you can recall using the "Window" menu. So just relax, sit back and muck around with your image.
2. Photoshop navigation
To become competent and effective in using Adobe Photoshop, you must be comfortable with navigating around an image. Some tricks of the trade should be useful here.
There is nothing worse than trying to move from one area of an image to another using the default zoom and the Hand tool. The use of 'criminals' both Toolbar MASSIVELY slow you down!
Experiement 1: Try it for yourself for yourself ...
a. Open an image.
b. Start your stopwatch.
c. Use the zoom tool to increase the magnification to 200%.
d. Now, using the Brush tool, draw a line from the left side of your image on the right
e. Use the Hand tool to reveal the next part of the canvas.
f. Stop your stopwatch! How long did it take?
You will find both a slow method and a challenge to stay focused on the task, to pick up brush - paint, pick up tool - move, pick up brush - paint, etc.
Experiement 2: Now try this:
a. Open an image.
b. Start your stopwatch.
c. Use Ctrl + to increase the magnification to 200%.
d. Now, using the Brush tool (press B), draw a line on the left side of your image on the right
e. Hold the left mouse button and drag and space to reveal the next part of the canvas bar.
f. Stop your stopwatch! How long did it take?
First, Experiment 2 will only take a fraction of the time to get the same results as found in Experiment 1. Secondly, I bet you just thinking about it! You mind was allowed to ask about other things.
Hold the space bar toggles between the hand tool and the currently selected tool. Take your thumb in space and back to Brush tool bar.
Keep practicing the above exercise.
3. So what have we learned from this experience?
Using Quick-keys or shortcuts are simply the best way to run in Adobe Photoshop. They will both speed up your workflow and processing power of the brain to free valuable. In fact, you'll find that if you adopt the use of hotkeys, you will soon start working on a reactionary and instinctive basis. Photoshop reflex!
I rarely think about what I do while using Adobe Photoshop. That is, I do not have to think about the technical workings, only creative goals .......