how come everything has to be so CONFUSING!!!

[camshill]

i use PSE 6 for mac and am a beginning photographer and can get by...why everytime i watch a tutorial for to photographs i feel like their steps aren't compatible to my photoshop??? What is the best route to take if i want to learn photoshop techniques to enhance my life, family, newborn, children portraiture?

[baycruisers]

Patience, Grasshopper...:)

I can promise you that we've all been there and some of us are still there, so don't be too hard on yourself. Image processing is very much a one-step-at-a-time learning process, and if you're like me and you expect too much too quickly you may end up saying Very Bad Words. (I would never do that myself, but I've come close.)

It may be helpful to post specific questions here and I promise you you'll get all the help you need!

[jjvera00]

Mario is absolutely correct. Before you can run... you must learn to walk. It takes time to learn how to Photoshop your favorite pictures. What you must need to do first is learn the basics. Here is a tutorial on layers. Layers is the most essential and backbone of Photoshop.

http://photoshopessentials.com/basics/layers/

http://photoshopessentials.com/basics/layers/layer-masks/

http://photoshopessentials.com/basics/elements/fake-layer-mask/

Also, ask plenty of questions. We are here to help. What videos are you watching by the way? Are they for Photoshop Elements or Photoshop? Sometimes there are things you can't do in Elements that you can in Photoshop, but there are work-arounds.

Also, if you have not, go to the PET website and subscriber to the newsletter. Not only do you get a magazine every 2 months, but you have access to many videos, tutorials, and downloads.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/

[frank abramonte]

Hi camshill, welcome to the forum.

"i feel like their steps aren't compatible to my photoshop?"
Are you sure you're viewing an Essential video and not a photoshop one?
The full photoshop has features not found in PSE.
Also, there are slight differences as to where you find the tools in PSE for PC verses Mac.

We all know about the confusion, and it really is confusing.
Especially when your not familiar with the tools, what they do and that the same result can be achieved more than one way.
It will take some time before it starts to come together.
Browse the forums and get familiar with the questions and answers.
When you find one you're interested in try it, or post a question about it and we can give you step by step instructions.

[camshill]

k so im not the only soul seeking PSE knowledge! k well i'll go one day at a time!... at least i know now i have a little help! thanks for the links im definately going to check them out.

[baycruisers]

k so im not the only soul seeking PSE knowledge! k well i'll go one day at a time!... at least i know now i have a little help! thanks for the links im definately going to check them out.

Here's a suggestion:

Pick a photo that you like but want to enhance in some way.
Decide what the main problem is: exposure? Brightness? Tilting horizon?
Pick the tool to make the correction and give it a try.
Pick the next problem (if there is one) and repeat.

In other words, don't try to "fix the photo." Identify the problems and fix them sequentially.

I recommend Scott Kelby's books on PSE for Digital Photographers. Lots of straightforward advice and tips.

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Camsil,
Welcome to the club! Unless you are a genius, Elements is going to be a rather long learning process. At least it is for me. I am learning something new every day here in the Village. Someone is always trying to help you with answers. i still struggle with layers and Johnny's links to learning the basics of layers is something i have to constantly review. But it has been worth it for the knowledge that I have gained as well as the friends that i have made. Hang in there, you can do it.:)

All the best,

Charlotte

[RonH]

As suggested above make sure the tutorials you are viewing are for Photoshop Essentials and not Photoshop CS(?). That could really confuse you.

The other essential thing to learn is patience. We all started out confused. It takes a little time but periodically a light bulb will come on and you will make some improvement. Then in a little while another light bulb will come on....and so forth.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step!