Best way to learn PSE? Please reply.

[Sergio]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to get a better understanding of how to approach learning PSE. I can tell you right now, that I seem to have a fear of just jumping in?!

I thought that joining Lynda.com and watching videos would be the answer, but without the exercise files I find myself falling a sleep!:confused:

Sure, I sit there and watch some expert showing me how easy this software can be if you work along with me. But, I'm not going to pay $375.00 to access
the exercise files.

The videos do show me the true power of the software! I love what can be done with it, but now I need to find the best way to start learning it.

I was hoping that many of you would share your story with me as to how you started and what works best for you when it came to learning PSE or Photoshop?

I'm not sure what this "fear" is about other than it may be due to the fact that I do want to be very good at PSE.:o Not easy for a big guy to say/share.

Thank you all in advance for your replies.

Thanks,

Sergio/Tim

[mljrbg]

Hi Tim!! Here is the link (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43064) to a thread that has a lot of discussion about this topic. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and take a look at PET (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/) website.

HTH.

[Wendy]

Hi Tim ...

I found that the best way to learn was to do tutorials ... it really doesn't matter too much what they make or do its simply a great way to learn how to use the features.

Are you a subscriber to PET (that is the subscriber area of the Village) ... if not then I really your recommend it :)

Wendy

[Hankw]

Hi Tim:

Just read these forums, Use the search for specific questions ( there all here) and then try some of the challenges, Member tutorials and fun things here, That way you can ask and someone will help and you will use just about every tool in the program. And Use the PET site.

About your fear... Don't be fearful just start messing around, everyone of us had to make that first click.

[TonyK]

Tim, I started 6 months ago and found this site and had never done Photoshop and after reviewing I joined, which is a real bargain for 2 years. I just started picking a tutorial and working it until I could finish it or in most cases got help on this forum until I could finish it. There is more than enough help here and friendly to boot ! Pick things that are easy and keep asking questions when you get stumped
Tony

[seafeather]

Hi Tim, You came to the best place ever.
I wasted over 6 months trying to learn from books, others sites and on my own.
I even stopped trying I felt so lost and alone. Then I became a member here. When I rec'd my first mag. - - - I wanted to do the "HOT FIRE text" right away and I did make FIRE--but it didn't really sink in until I started with the first or early video tuts and once you get the basic-- esp the keys and tools, it did just fell into place.
I thought I didn't want to make a "box or paperclip" --(I wanted to run before I could walk). But once I got over that, I started with the basic and found that by making a bell or whatever, you learn how the tools, keys, layers, and everything works.
The videos are the best because they not only show you what to do BUT MOST IMPORTANT IS --WHY you do whatever and in some spots, what happens if you don't to _ _ _ . And they explain how things come together. They are NOT boring and in fact it is like the guys are just sitting right next to you --talking to you-- like a friend.
I'm hooked and I can't wait for the next video to come out. Even if the video or tut is something that I don't think I really want, I do it anyway so I can learn and it's great because it always teachs me something I didn't know.
Once I've done the new video, I go back to all the other videos / tuts and try them.
I learn best from watching not reading. And by having the Mag, well that's a plus and reinforces what I saw. Best of both worlds. That's just me....
I tried to explain it to my husband by saying "it's like baking a cake". You can have the best recipe in the world but when the instructions tell you to "take a spoon and . . . . " and you don't know what a spoon is, or what an egg is, etc.... you're lost and you could end up with a lumpy flat cake.
Start by learning the keys, how the tools work, and the easiest way is to start with the early tuts/videos, even if you don't want to make a box. I'm still learning but I love this stuff and can't get enough. And all the instructors / Mag are awesome.....
Once you start, it's hard to stop..... Have fun....

[jjvera00]

Sergio

A great place to learn is here and the PET site. The PET Newsletter costs only $49 for 1-yr and $79 for 2-yr. As a member of the site you have access to videos and downloads. There is a section of the website called the "Extras" section which have the files and images used in the PET Newsletter to download so you can follow along. There are also many videos available to download and view. Now while the images they use are not available to follow along, they are only about 5 minutes long, so you won't fall asleep while viewing them.

Here on the forum, there are also "Be Creative" and "EZ Challenges" and "Photo Theme" threads that can help you get your understanding of PSE grow as well.

[Sergio]

Thanks everyone for the feed back. I'm going to join the PET site today. You're right about working along with the videos and tuts. I need to use the tools, and not just watch some expert do it till I fall a sleep.

Great group of people!

You will see my work, and questions very soon!:)

Happy Friday! Stay warm.

-9 here in Columbus, Ohio!!:eek:

[Wendy]

Hi Sergio ..

You won't regret it :)

Wendy

[BruceM]

Thanks everyone for the feed back. I'm going to join the PET site today. You're right about working along with the videos and tuts. I need to use the tools, and not just watch some expert do it till I fall a sleep.

Great group of people!

You will see my work, and questions very soon!:)

Happy Friday! Stay warm.

-9 here in Columbus, Ohio!!:eek:

-30c (-22f) here in Ottawa :D

[Newtome]

I think the best thing for you to do first is to decide what you want the program to do for you. Do you want it to enhance your photos, do restoration work, scrapbooking? Some of these require different skills. Just take it slow, practice and enjoy. Another site that I found helpful to learn the basics is www.hummiesworld.com (http://www.hummiesworld.com). There are many free tutorials as well as as a choice to subscribe.

Enjoy the journey,
Elaine

[Newtome]

These suggestions come from Diana in another thread

These tutorial sites are pretty detailed for newbies:
http://alibony.com/pse/index.php
http://www.graphicreporter.com/tutor...tutorials.html (http://www.graphicreporter.com/tutorials/elements_tutorials.html)
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse..._Tutorials.htm (http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselementsbasics/Photoshop_Elements_Basic_Tutorials.htm)

[Sergio]

Hello,
Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to post their thoughts and links!

Very kind people on this forum!

Thank you all.

Sergio/Tim:)

[whizbo]

Sergio:
That is the best 49.00 you could spend, the newsletters are terrific and the help on this website is terrific. If you can download the videos, they are the best at teaching. I love this website and all the help I have gotten.
Whizbo

[baycruisers]

I'm going to offer a slightly different answer about learning PSE...but it's just an approach I use when I try to learn anything new. (And the advice above is excellent, by the way.) It's what I did when I moved to CS3 and now CS4.

I first started by reading a good book or two on PSE and learned basic concepts. Then I took the layers course, which is a huge help. Layers is the key to so much that having a basic understanding is invaluable and opens the way to a lot more. Then it's practice, play, experiment, repeat.

Having gotten a basic grasp of generally useful things, I then began seeking out solutions to specific problems as they popped up in my photography, either through tutorials, by finding them online, in a book somewhere or of course in the forum. Over time I've learned a fair number of fixes, solutions, and approaches that I use over an over to correct or enhance photos.