Post Production

[Bhupi]

I am new to DPS. This is my first time at this forum, so kindly go easy.
I need to learn how to edit my photo's. Should I use CS3 and if so what is the best way to learn it.Take some Classes or buy the how to Books?

[andrecb]

Hi, welcome to DPS.

Do have any previous experience with photoshop or photoshop like software?

What type of editing do you want to do? Lighten up the images, sharpen, reduce noise, levels correct? or montages and alter the backgrounds ...?

you can try GIMP ( a photoshop like) editing software, but it's free to download and use.
see how you handle that, and understand your editing needs to chose better what fits you.

[Rolling Stone]

There are tutorials all over the web. Also many video tutorials on youtube. There is also Adobe TV. And yes, classes and books. The decision in which way you'd prefer to learn is yours.
If your looking into just basic editing, CS3 may be a bit much. Something a little more simple to use would be Photoshop Elements, Lightroom is also a nice editor. You'll find most programs can be downloaded in trial version. May be worth a shot so you can make an intelligent decision.

[Samanax]

Originally Posted by Bhupi

I am new to DPS. This is my first time at this forum, so kindly go easy.
I need to learn how to edit my photo's. Should I use CS3

How serious are you about photography? And how much experience do you have with image editing?

There are free alternatives you might want to look at before you buy Photoshop. These will allow you to do basic edits to your images.

Another alternative is Adobe Lightroom 2. It's easier to learn than Photoshop...and cheaper as well. Many people use Lightroom 2 more than they use Photoshop for most of their images processing. They can do most of the basic adjustments in Lightroom 2 and end up with a very good image. They would only take the image into Photoshop for more heavy duty editing.

Originally Posted by Bhupi

if so what is the best way to learn it.Take some Classes or buy the how to Books?

Which method works better for you? Do you learn better by having someone show you how to do it or do you learn better by trying to figure things out yourself?

Many people like to view the Photoshop tutorials on YouTube.