CS4 for Xmas - now how do I use it?

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I have all but given up on photoshop. I am a near pro with Lightroom but just don't seem to have the stamina to learn photoshop. I find the learning curve super steep and if I don't use it for a while I have to start all over.

I taught my wife Photoshop and she is the most impatient person in the world! If she can learn it, anyone can! lol

Seriously though, it's not too hard to learn -- it can just be a little intimidating.

[ezzabazza]

Thank you so much for all of your help everyone... I have taken a look at some of the tutes and I am very quickly realising that I am going to have to take baby steps to stop from getting overwhelmed but I am getting there!

[JeffSmith]

Photoshop is a lifetime study, I don't think you actually learn how to use it.

My advice is to decide what you want to achieve with a shot, and then Google, "Photoshop Tutorial (your subject)". For instance, if you want to whiten teeth, just Google "Photoshop tutorial whiten teeth".

Using this method of learning, you only learn what you want to know rather learning a load of stuff that's really great, but you'll never use. (You'll forget it all anyway!)

[Dawna]

Originally Posted by j_mike_mc

I have CS3 and use a book from Scott Kelby - I did a search on google for you -

Amazon.com: The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers (9780321580092): Scott Kelby: Books

I have found this to be an extremely user friendly reference to use.

I too am new to CS4 and I was reading kinda mixed reviews on Kelby's book. I personally like the way he writes and he makes it real simple for a not so technically advanced person like myself to understand. I think that his book will probably be where I start.