Learning how to use cs5

cmerc4 · Feb 14, 2012

This week I decided it was time to start learning how to edit photos so I bought cs5 and an feeling very overwhelmed. Can anyone recommend some resources for getting started? I tried searching YouTube generically but even that was overwhelming so if anyone knows a specific YouTube presenter who does a good intro to photoshop I would really appreciate the recommendation! I'm also open to book recommendations. Thanks!

xj0hnx · Feb 14, 2012

Get a week long trial for Lynda.com, or pay a month's dues, there are some of the best tutorials you will find on there. They range from 4 to 11 hours long, and start from "I don't know anything about Photoshop", to advanced. If you can find a week, or few days trial, it really is, IMO, worth it to join for at least a month.

rexbobcat · Feb 14, 2012

Amazon.com: Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers: A professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC (9780240522005): Martin Evening: Books

This book really helped me with the photography aspects of Photoshop. If you're looking for more photo-manipulation type stuff then I'd suggest somewhere like PSTuts or something similar online.

EIngerson · Feb 14, 2012

For youtube to work, you need to search each process individually. If you want to soften skin, search for that. Great info on there, but just searching for how to use CS5 is a bit too wide.

EIngerson · Feb 14, 2012

rexbobcat, Thanks for the tip, I'm definitiely going to check that one out.

Village Idiot · Feb 15, 2012

Just google what you want to do and learn the techniques. There's often multiple ways to accomplish something so find the one that works best for you.

luvmyfamily · Feb 15, 2012

There are lots of You tube tutorials. Also, I am not sure about your area, but we have a local camera store that offers photography classes and also CS5 classes. Check your local cameras shops or or continuing education.

IByte · Feb 15, 2012

rexbobcat said:
Amazon.com: Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers: A professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC (9780240522005): Martin Evening: Books

This book really helped me with the photography aspects of Photoshop. If you're looking for more photo-manipulation type stuff then I'd suggest somewhere like PSTuts or something similar online.

Nice choice, I have the same one at home.

DiskoJoe · Feb 15, 2012

When I got started with PS my wife had the cs2 edition that she was using for her communication classes. So they trained her on basics and then she trained me. Then from there I learned most things from written tutorials. Start with doing basic image adjustments in the Image section. But most of the basic editing for photos can be done in the raw converter. You can also set to raw converter for use with jpegs as well.

RebeccaAPhotography · Feb 15, 2012

IByte said:
Nice choice, I have the same one at home.

I too have this book and find it very helpful. Look into your local colleges too like someone else said. I'm looking to take one too for cs5 it is de very over whelming. One thing I found for myself that helped a lot. I also have lightroom 3 and learned that first and it helped a lot!

Lightroom 3 is on sale today for 69$ let me find the link!

RebeccaAPhotography · Feb 15, 2012

Here's the link! This is $200 off of regular price! Very nice deal I tell ya! https://m.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...otoshop_Lightroom_3_Software.html&h=IAQH-lI1x

Hopefully that link worked

bazooka · Feb 15, 2012

I 2nd Lynda.com, specifically Deke McClelland's series on cs5. They are absolutely excellent and he has a good sense of humor. Definitely worth the price.

Kolander · Feb 15, 2012

Get all books by Scott Kelby

And these are amazing tutorials, second to none: http://pshero.com/

KenC · Feb 15, 2012

Look up how to use adjustment layers, especially with layer masks. For specific image adjustments, probably Curves, Color Saturation and Balance and Brightness are the most common. Selective Color is very useful, but a little more advanced. Black and White conversion is also good to know if you're interested in B&W. Of course cropping and spotting (either Clone tool or Healing Brush) are important, but these are a little more self-explanatory.