MsJ Loc: Northern Indiana

I have free access to all of the latest programs free. Which should I spend my time really learning??? Also, should I update the newest version as it comes out? I want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity but it really is information overload. Help! :|

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Lightroom 3 is a great tool easier the PS cs5

MsJ Loc: Northern Indiana

So you recommend me learning that first? I hope to eventually learn how to use the CS5, but don't know how long that will take.

Thanks for your suggestion.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi jaemund: That's great that you have free access to all three programs. Which program you select to learn first should mainly depend on what you want/need to accomplish. Elements is a good starter program. CS5 has more features and LR is more for studio work, where you want to process photos and catalogue in large batches. I believe that both CS5 and LR have a steeper learning curve, but once you've mastered either one, the other becomes easier to learn/use. Whether you want to up date the programs as newer versions come out would depend on a cost factor, if they are free to you I'd say go for it. Should it cost to up grade that would depend on how much you want to spend. Keep in mind there are numerous free tutorials all over the net on any of these programs.

MsJ Loc: Northern Indiana

Thank you Travlnman. I think I'll learn LR4 and then go to CS+. I'm glad to know that going to CS won't be too bad. Right now i'm using Lynda for tutorial (also free). I want to take advantage of all this while I can!!!!! :-)

Patw28 Loc: PORT JERVIS, NY

Everything you learn in LR3will migrate to CS. Same for PSE.
I think CS can be frustrating as a first time editing program.
Either LR or PSE will WOW you the first time out.

Prepare to be amazed!

MsJ Loc: Northern Indiana

That's encouraging, Patw28. Thank you!

Dennis

What is cs5?

scottlad29 Loc: Aberdeen, NC

travlnman46 - can you suggest some of the "free" tutorials on the web for PSE I have a couple of books but keep getting lost. Thanks

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

For free? Wow!

I'd suggest starting with Lightroom 4 (latest version). Contrary to its legacy of yesteryear, it is a well balanced program that does an excellent and powerful job or organizing your photos; it can also edit them with some pretty powerful tools, and usually accomplishes 95% of everything I want to do with my images.

Adobe Photoshop CS5 can do more sophisticated and involved editing and create special effects. The nice part of Lightroom, is that you can run CS5 from within it and the changes you made are cataloged within Lightroom.

Lightroom is an ideal gateway to CS5 and your learning curve is not as steep.

MsJ Loc: Northern Indiana

Festina Lente...thank you for that encouragement!! I'm on the right track.
I'm using Lynda for the tutorials and although I've learned a lot before for other programs, I'm not loving these. I'll have to look for other sources...or maybe she'll get more after LR4 has been out for a while. (you know...right before LR5 comes out! LOL)

hiker60 Loc: Northern Idaho

Great advice!!!! Look at what you want to do, then select your program. CS 5 version is has a serious learning curve!!!! LR 3 or 4 is much easier and delivers fantastic results.

rambler Loc: Masssachusetts

Okay,try this one: Store and catalog your images in lighttroom, process them in CS5.

Photoshop CS5 The Missing Manual. by Lesa Snider Very helpul. Here is an example:
goto missing manuals.com/cds and download the practice file Balloons.jpg
(save the image to Downloads and open it into PS from there) This is a good image to practice on for changing the sky. The Missing Manual will lead you through a step-by-step process using the Color Channels and layers masks.
Learning to work with layers and masks is very important.

Look in to joining Kelby Training for year round access to many video lesson on photography and Photoshop. Highly recommended Scott Kelby's books, too.
Kelby Training already has video lessons on LR 4.

Look at top 100 tips and tricks, PS CS5 Simplified

I took a four week class online at BetterPhoto.com, "Basic Masks in Photoshop" with Doug Steakley. He helped is work on our own photos.

Do not overlook free help from Adobe:

http://www.adobe.com/support/photoshop/gettingstarted/

I also followed links others gave at this website to find this:

http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/PhotoshopTuts/PhotoTutPages/TueTipsBlendIf.html

Google "Blend If" a great tool on PS CS5 often under the radar.

ab7rn Loc: Portland, Oregon

CS 5 refers to Adobe Creative Suite 5 which is a very large all inclusive program for graphic artists. For the purposes of this site, it usually refers to the photoshop portion of CS 5. Photoshop CS 5 is a very versatile program for photo processing.

Dennis

Thank you ab7m