A post processing guru

[gh patriot]

Let me preface this thread with the fact that Im a newbie.

It seems that the more I learn about photography, the more it seems that you have to be a PP guru. I feel so overwhelmed everytime I read about people creating layers, feathering, HDR and and the thousands of other things you can do post processing.

I use Picasa 3 and zoombrowser (canon software) to do basic fixes. I am starting to alter tone curves and individual RGB levels but I just feel like an idiot when everyone starts talking about photoshop.

Is it necessary to (attempt to) master photoshop or GIMP or could I focus on maybe getting really good at using Elements or some other "easier" software.

I almost feel like Ill never measure up unless I get really good at PP. It seems like my photos look like snapshots compared to the images that someone that is good with PS or the like.



Any suggestions on where to begin in learning to be proficient in PP would be a great help because right now it feels like Im trying to scale Mt. Everest


Thanks in advance, you guys rock!

[KodiakStar]

Well, for me, I only know very basic things in using GIMP. Using curves, or basic layers to change the light or dark areas of a shot.

There are quite a few tutorials that help get these small things down that help to enhance the photo. For me, I still rely on trying to get a really good shot out of the camera first, and then do small touches to make it "pop"

There are some people on here who use just the very basic tools such as picasa to edit their photos. By all means, you do not "need" PP to get an amazing shot, rather learning about composition, lighting, and camera settings will make you progress from snapshots to art!

[Skoropada]

I'm a newbie too, but I learning how to use GIMP.

It's not that difficult as you imagine. You can do what Picasa can do but with more flexibility, and you can also do many more things.

Just take it easy, look for tutorials online, and focus on each aspect / technique at a time.

This site has a lot of resources that will help you.

And as important (or more) than reading tutorials EXPERIMENT!

[prince]

First thing, dont get discouraged by all the words. I learned pp for photos by reading on here at DPS. There are many who use different softwares liek GIMP, Elements, Lightroom, and PS.

SOOC shots are not always perfect, especially when you are starting out. Different styles of photography like people shots, product photography, landscape photography, etc. require different kinds of pp. No matter what app you use, you'll always find some method. It all depends what you want to go for.

Here is a pp method I use for portraits inspired by Amy-Rose http://amyrosesecretsrevealed.blogspot.com/

There are tons of others. In fast DPS has a good collection of tutorials on the blog. Just need to do some digging.

Feel free to IM me if you have specific questions.

[Saralonde]

I have to admit post processing used to scare me. I just used Picasa for most of my editing. When I decided I needed to learn more, I bought a version of Paint Shop Pro on sale (less than $50 US). It was very user friendly and through trial and error I learned a few things. There didn't seem to be as much online info and tutorials on Paint Shop Pro as there was on Photoshop Elements, so when I found a really good deal on Elements, I bought that. Followed online tutorials, asked questions and kept going. Less than a year later, I sprung for Photoshop CS3 (I got it 1/2 off) and haven't looked back. Still have A LOT to learn, but it's amazing what you can teach yourself.

[gh patriot]

Thank you all so much for your responses. You have helped improve my attitude greatly.

[zespri]

The funny thing is, even after you've been using it for years, it will STILL be Mt Everest, and probably always will be. If you look around at the users of these forums, there will always be someone who knows more than you, and people that know less.

I think I've been through something similar to you recently. I've been using photoshop for years, so feel OK about that. But I wanted to learn lightroom as well, and felt like a real dufus with it. I was lucky enough to find a kind person here on DPS who gave me a leg-up, and showed me how to do just a few basic things. Once I felt like I had some success, I felt more inclined to learn on my own.

I still only know the basics, and when it comes to photoshop most of the time I'm stumbling around trying things to see if they work (the undo option is your friend!). But I get by.

To start you off, I'd suggest working with things you'll use all the time, and forgetting about the hard things like layers - just for now (they're great, but probably overwhelming at the moment). Once you've decided what to learn, google for a tutorial. Here are some suggestions of things I use all the time:

Image | adjustments | auto levels
Image | adjustments | shadow/highlight (brings out shadowed areas without 'blowing out' non-shadowed areas)
Image | adjustments | curves (similar to levels)
Image | adjustments | levels (similar to curves)

I also think one of the best things you can invest your time on learning is the different techniques for selecting parts of your picture. There are so many different ways. Try this one to get you started.
Select | Colour Range | Change drop down box to 'highlights' and click OK. You'll find that only the bright parts of your picture have been selected. Neat huh! There are SO many ways of selecting, that's just a neat trick.

I think once you've had some 'wins', you'll feel happier about continuing your learning.

[crabbyman]

I'm a complete post processing newbie too, so I've been digging around looking for tutorials and explanations. This site: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm is excellent so far. It gives a pretty in depth explanations for the basics along with examples after you change different settings. Even without photoshop it should help understand all these crazy terms like levels and curves , I know it helped me even though I still feel in over my head with all this stuff. If you find any good links please share, I'd love to learn more and many different sources always help.

[windrider86]

Dont worry about being new. When i first joined DPS, heck I didnt even know what pp even meant!
I use Paint Shop Pro which has been very easy to learn. I just kpet looking around and asked a ton of questions. Kept trying new things and playing with different effects and followed a ton of tutorials.

[dannyrich]

Generally, unless there is an effect i want i oly use levels and saturation for processing, that and cropping.

Its not all digital art work!!