Printer Setup

[Norm F]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newcomer to this forum (and Photoshop Elements). I've been lurking around for the last two weeks learning all that I can from the existing posts. I have a couple of questions I was hoping someone could help me out with.

There is an "output" slider at the bottom of the levels window. Should I be adjusting this tool if I plan to print my photos? Also, I was looking through the "color settings" options. Optimize for print seems to be the obvious choice, but I notice that switches me to AdobeRGB. I thought sRGB offered more in the way of colors. Any thoughts on that?

Finally, the New York Institute of Photography is after me to take their digital photogrphy course. Does anyone know anything about this "school?"

Many thanks,

[Foxhound]

Hi Norm,

I just graduated from NYI's digital course this past week. I first took the pro photographers course because digital wasn't being offered and besides, I believe everyone should take a good photography course first and foremost. Whether through a correspondence course or at the local college it's a good thing to learn. Not just the mechanics but practical applications as well. Not to mention I believe the skills and art of photography is far more important than a digital darkroom. Get it right in the camera first.

Now, the digital course does not teach photography. Period! They take you from the very beginning of digital cameras and bring you up to speed as far as the technology. This first part bored me to tears. I really don't care about how digital media is used in the market place. It just didn't interst me but I got through it just fine. They will teach you how to shop for a digital camera and both film/photo scanners and this is where it got interesting. They will teach you how to properly scan your media and print that same media. Then they will take you step by step through photoshop using version 6 or higher. Most all of the work can be done with elements but some of it just requires the full version to complete the assignments.

By far, the most emphasis is placed on Photoshop and the use thereof as a photographer, not a graphical artist. If your a photographer then this is the course for you. They present photoshop as a digital darkroom with a whole lot more capability. It took me about 2 years to complete the course which isn't too bad considering it took me nearly 3 years to complete their photography course.

Again, this is NOT a photography course and is not taught in the same fashion. It's a completely different approach to teaching and photography is not one of them. It's 90% photoshop and scanning/printing with about 10% given over to digital understanding in the market place.

It's not cheap. You get what you pay for! But they will allow for small monthly payments so pretty much anyone can get in on it.

Btw, they fixed my printing problems and color management in the course very quickly :)

[Norm F]

Hi John,

Thanks for the input on NYI. It doesn't sound like the DP course is what I'm after. I really want to learn a little more about taking a good photo. I think I can pick up a lot about fixing my poor photos right here. I've taken the Digital Photography Workflow class, watched the PSE3 video and read a couple of books. I feel like I'm getting the hang of this software. However, I realize that if I could get some basic training on the camera I could save myself hours of editing.

Thanks again. I appreciate your input.

[Mary]

Hi Norm - I was born in Saskatoon, Sask. Is it getting cold there now? I have a childhood picture of my sister and I sliding down a snow drift against our house from the second story window - which was actually a third story because the basement was above ground. brrrrrr It was just below freezing here last night and the same is expected tonight. :)

[kerriann85]

Wow, I wondered if anyone had ever tried that course. I sent for the literature just to see what it offered but didn't like the price tag. :)

Of course now I don't have time to deal with it even if it would be good for me. :(

[Wendy]

Hi Norm ...

... and welcome to the forum :)


Wendy

[Norm F]

Hi Mary,

Wow!! Imagine my surprise to meet someone from Saskatoon in this forum. It's 14F today which is pretty decent for late November. We've had a very mild fall with average temperatures above 32 through the month.

Thanks for the note. It made me feel right at home.