Where are you with Photoshop?

[cheska99]

I tell myself to pretend that I'm back in college as far as Photoshop is concerned. That way I think I'll keep pushing to learn more and more. Right now I'm taking classes with Deke McClelland at Lynda.com and trying to learn the *&^%#! art of making selections--on which so much in Photoshop depends. Here are my two questions:

1. If you are also committed to mastering selections, how are you going about it. (And those of you who have already done so--and I know you're out there because I see your extractions--how did you do it?)

2. If you're not too concerned at the moment about selections, what are you working hard on or struggling mightily with in our beloved Photoshop or Photoshop Elements?

[Scrapbird]

Do you have a Pen Tablet? It makes selections SO MUCH easier!!!
Here's a link to the one I have (no need to include the mouse) and there have been several threads on these boards.
Bamboo Fun - Product Overview

[THAT-GIRL]

Hi "cheska99" !
When I bought CS4, I've got 1 month of free tutorials on Lynda.com and let me tell you I didn't waisted it... for me too it was like going to school from 9-5... of course in a couple of days I had my brain scrambled, BUT I bought a simple Composition book and start writing all down... just like in school, for me that worked 'cause I am visual and when I see my notes I've remembered what they were talking about...
About the extractions... I sagest you really learn the "key board short cuts" it's a MUST and like "scrapbird" recommended get a "Pen tablet" it's a saver... Cassie have great tutorials here on extractions, but if you are visual (like I am) watch tutorials on "The Russel Brown show" he has funny and very easy to understand especially on EXTRACTIONS, he uses "monsters" and there is tons of information... it's free too, so you can refer back any time and watch how he does it... good luck on you learning...

[katrinak]

I owe my ability to do anything in Photoshop to Cassie Jones

[neonglow]

Learning the quirks of the pen tool in Photoshop is a necessity if you want to do extractions. It's really not too overly complicated, but we tend to make it more complicated by over thinking it. Just play with it until you've gotten the hang of it, and don't put too much emphasis on how fast or slow you're learning. We all get there at different times, and there is no right or wrong method of learning. Just do what works for you.

[JALong]

Cassie has some great tips for making extractions.

I just can't get enough of Photoshop. I love it when I learn a new tip and then the wheels start to turn in my head and I figure out several other things I can do using that technique. Photoshop has really awakened a strong desire for learning and creativity within me! I LOVE IT!

[bluelemur01]

I REALLY need to get better at extractions. Sometimes I do an extraction that looks good but it takes a ton of time, and I don't know how to use the pen tool, and I don't have a tablet, so I'm sure it could be easier! Basically what I do is this: I make a rough selection using the magic wand, then I go into mask mode, select various brushes, and paint away until I get the edges I want. This is not the best for things like hair, so I don't often extract pictures with hair or very fine details. This works OK for things with generous, broad edges.

[Scrapbird]

Jennifer, you need to reward yourself for finishing and posting your incredible books . . . get a pen tablet! It's quick to learn, and they are less than $60 bucks right now at Amazon.
Amazon.com: Bamboo (Small) Pen Tablet with Pen Only: Electronics

LOL, feel that peer pressure?

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I don't think anybody is every completely done learning Photoshop. There is just SO much you can do, and until you "need" to do something, you don't every realize you CAN! I just like playing with menus and trying the tools. When you remove the intimidation factor, it's amazing what you can find to play around with in Photoshop.



This tutorial doesn't require a pen/tablet to create a great extraction:



Also, if you really want to learn to use the pen tool for extractions, this tutorial might interest you:

[cheska99]

Thanks everyone!

[mum2gnt]

I did a 3 day course as I need someone to show me how to do things! I can't read and do! There are also good you-tube tutorials. That pen tool........oooo er! Also, do a Google search for say "Photoshop extraction" and you will be amazed by how much comes up - for FREE!! But Cassie's tuts are absolutely brilliant and specifically designed for our hobby. For the sake of a few dollars it's worth getting them! Wish she did a whole package of them all!!!

I have a tablet too. You can do far more than extractions with them. You can do your own handwriting on a page (I use the brush tool for this (in PS just press the B letter and it will select brushtool for you) and certain tools are a breeze with a pen - erasing (press E), brushing (press B), lasso (press L), magic wand (press W), blur (press R), history brush (press Y), pen tool (press P), etc. It's like colouring in with a pen basically. It takes a bit of getting used to but trust me stick with it and you will never want to use a mouse again! Also, I have been using a tablet for about 8 years. I had the original Wacom tablet which only died last year. It was a basic 4x6 screen size. I now have the Wacom Intuous 3 6x8 - absolutely perfect in size (as we need detail in what we do) and it has touch scroll up/down - like the wheel on your mouse but you do it with your finger on the touch pad. It also has pre-programmable functions which I can tap with the pen - like go back, close, etc. whatever you want. It is also incredibly acurate unlike a mouse which can be soooooo frustrating! I found my tablet on eBay by putting it under favourites so every time someone added one I got an email. I can honestly recopmmend this one. I believe there is an Intuos 4 now. But the 3 is good and even the 2 or 1 would be fine. The new Bamboo is great if you do not do detailed work - and it is specifically designed for scrappers! But it's not accurate enough for me! Fuss pot I am!! The other small thing is the pen nibs. They do "erode" like pencils, but on a far lesser scale. I have no visable erosion on mine and have had it for a year (constant use).

Also, any medical professional will tell you that using a pen is far better than a mouse.

Anyway good luck. Apparently not even Adobe knows exactly Photoshop's abilities. They all write programmes seperately that are compatable with eachother but the computer still does stuff that they don't know about!

take care

Suzie

[Sokee]

WowZers!!!

I have PSE7 and been wanting to learn extractions.......................... and been putting it off as I know myself and I'll need time to learn it!