Photoshop for beginners...

[akagordon]

So, I got a copy of Adobe Photoshop CS2 a couple weeks ago and so far have been having a ton of fun with it. I've found my way around fairly well but I want to learn more. Now, I know there's got to be a few of you Photoshop gurus on here somewhere, so how about giving me some recommendations for some books. I want to learn everything from photo enhancement to retouching photos to completely digital photos and photo manipulation.

It would also be great if anyone wants to share their work to share it here. Here's a few of the things I've come up with so far, but keep in mind they're very amateur:

Some pics of some flowers I took and played around with:
Metallic Rose

Flower with black and white background

I was going for Picasso but didn't get it. I call this one Arte Decko De Three-Year-Old

My friend Victoria

Some of my first stuff, some wallpapers...
Underwater 007

The first thing I did in Photoshop: 3D-007

Lambda^2

The next two are a couple of new things I came up with; both Ford Mustang Cobra wallpapers:

This is what 140 MPH looks like.

Blam!

 

[Dedo]

I use gimp for editing images
But now i see that gimp doesn't have so good
tools . But i don't have money to buy photoshop.I
do graphics for fun and as a hobby.

 

[Southern Cross]

Photoshop CS2 For Photographers by Scott Kelby is an excellent resource. Well worth the money.

Also, Photoshop User Magazine is a great resource as well. They offer in depth tutorials on using CS2 to it's fullest. I have only had one or two issues over the past three years that I did not feel were worth the $10 price tag.

The manual that comes in the box, and the DVD tutorials included with the software you purchased are pretty good as well. Unless you have a pirated copy...

 

[DLkim22]

I use gimp for editing images
But now i see that gimp doesn't have so good
tools . But i don't have money to buy photoshop.I
do graphics for fun and as a hobby.

True, of course adobe photoshop has the best of the best...considering its price tag. X_X

I'm surprised that there is actually a FREE photoshop-like program called Gimp like you mentioned. I agree, its interface can do pretty goofy things, but I'm happy that it could deal with layer editing. Some day....Adobe will announce that photoshop is FREE FOR EVERYONE!!! Eventually...

 

[GK]

Photshop Elements, which only runs $90 or so, has many of the features of Photoshop and is enough for most hobbyist and home users.

 

[AnglicanCelt]

Wow.

You're much better at this photoshop thing than I am.

But I'm still learning, too, and the joint issues I have coupled with my laptop create some issues.

But don't mind that.

You're really good.

 

[Wadsworth]

Photoshop programs are really getting powerful.
I heard that nasa uses photoshop to edit their pics.

 

[aaron]

a

 

[lilangelmelanie]

Photoshop has to be my all time favorite program... let me know if you have an ?'s and I"ll do my best to help - as far as books and such I"m really no help bc I taught myself over time... but I"ll be glad to help in any way I can!

 

[CFfosterANGEL1]

very cool! I wish I could do anything like that! I tried it out, it was very confussing for me. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[BarbaraJean]

Oh, I love what you did with Victoria's picture! I don't have Photoshop or I'd do that with one of my son's senior pictures!

Beautiful!

 

[ProPhotog]

You'll love CS2. Also, be sure to look around in Adobe Studio exhange. Lots and lots of free plug ins, actions, textures, styles, etc.
Have fun!