• Are you brand new to Photoshop? A total beginner? Or, are you just digging into the program, and not sure what to do next? Or, are you having challenges with the “basics”?
• Do you need guidance – a “Lesson Plan”, if you will – on how to learn Photoshop for Photographers? Do you need a “Photoshop Coach”?
If so, read on …
• Photoshop is indeed a complex program – but as a photographer, you’re only going to need to use 10-15% of the programs’ functionality to achieve your best results, and the rest can pretty much be ignored.
• Why listen to me? Here’s a brief bio: https://wattsdigital.com/about-john-watts – Bottom line: if you want the ABSOLUTE BEST output from your files, especially for high-quality digital photographic printing, then I’m your guy.
• This post is the result of a powerfully simple question from Helen C., shown below. In my answer, I’ll show you the 3 points integral to the suggested “Lesson Plan”. If you follow these in the order shown, it’ll greatly assist you in developing a strong foundation in (and working knowledge of) Photoshop.
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So, here is the original question:
Hi John,
I’m almost a total beginner at Photoshop, with almost no experience at all. Where do I start? Do you have any classes for that ailment ?
Thanks,
Helen C.
Colorado
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And my answer (the 3-point “Lesson Plan”):
Howdy Helen,
Well, hey – – you’ve come to the right place – this is right up my alley – consider this a Photoshop “Lesson Plan” for beginners 🙂
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1) The first thing I’d suggest is to attend my FREE live & online “Photoshop 101” Meetup webinars – AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE! There are 5 of them total, 1.5 hours each, and we have them every 2 to 3 weeks – copious notes are always included. We have photographers attending from all over the nation!
You’ll find even more information about them here, too: https://wattsdigital.com/free-live-meetups-online – they’re a systematic plan to help you learn PS properly. Think of these as the “I-just-got-Photoshop-now-what?” seminars – even if you don’t attend them sequentially.
2) If attending “live” is an issue (OR if you want to watch & study recordings of past Meetups that you’ve attended), I’ve archived quite a few free recordings of recent “Photoshop 101” Meetups here (all 5 classes, with links to downloadable notes): https://wattsdigital.com/free-photoshop-101-videos
3) In addition, I also have my blog (which is where you’re reading this). This is the “educational” website for my business– here, you’ll find answers on specific subjects to “fine-tune” the learning process, learn some of my “philosophies”, and more: https://blog.main.wattsdigital.com
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Note that the 3 items mentioned above are ALL “free” …
• As far as the learning process is concerned, they require effort on YOUR part (hey, nothing worth doing properly is easy, right?) …
• BUT, I can still steer you in the right direction (via the Meetups / recordings / blog / email) with suggested “homework”, and so on. I can keep you focused on the goals of learning this crazy program – again, think of me as a “Photoshop Coach” …
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Once you’ve explored the “free” side of the educational tools …
• I’ll show you other ways you can learn Photoshop that involve “greenback$” (hey, a guy’s gotta eat, lol!), such as:
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- My Photoshop Book (available on Amazon)
- Online Small Group Workshops
- Online One-on-one Instruction
- And so much more – –
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… ALL are more than reasonably priced.
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In closing: If you follow these 3 points in the “Lesson Plan” to assist you in learning Photoshop, I strongly believe that you’re setting yourself up for success!
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• Want to see Photoshop in action? Check out my “Photoshop 101” series of FREE online & live Photoshop Meetups – available nationwide:
https://wattsdigital.com/free-live-meetups-online
• Was this information helpful?
Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here …
• By the way, this is all based on my Photoshop book designed for photographers, “Not just another Photoshop Book”, available exclusively on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNLS1Q2
Questions? Please contact me – also, feel free to comment and tell your photography friends!
Thx again, and cheers,
John Watts 🙂