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Photoshop

A place of discussion for beginner and advanced users of Photoshop alike.

Network Leader: Emily Ma

Groups > Photoshop

Ryan Paugh Designers -- How do you prefer to work? Would you rather be part of an ongoing project where you're responsible for the aesthetics of one, big brand? Or do you prefer working with many different brands? I would assume that work with many brands as a freelancer gives you more creative freedom, but maybe I'm wrong ... How do you like to work? Let us know!

87 weeks ago from Graphic Design, Freelancing, Web Development, Photoshop and Illustrator 3 more

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John Mattucci: As a Web Designer I enjoy working on many different brands where you can get a variety of different design styles. One big brand isn't bad, but ...MoreAs a Web Designer I enjoy working on many different brands where you can get a variety of different design styles. One big brand isn't bad, but depending on the company it might get stagnant working with the same look, same feel, same product over and over again.

Even big advertising agency's have their huge bank client that brings in the dough, but they win awards on some smaller company that made them little money. Another cool portfolio piece to impress big boring companies!
87 weeks ago

Ryan Paugh: @Robynne -- That seems to be a common theme. I think that creative types in any industry should have side projects that keep them thinking of new ...More@Robynne -- That seems to be a common theme. I think that creative types in any industry should have side projects that keep them thinking of new ideas and concepts. I try to find side projects too when I can.

@Benjamin -- Brands like ours need independent artists to keep things fresh. That's why working with people like yourself is always so fun for me.

@John -- That's true. It's rare that those big projects get awarded for being innovative. Another good reason why it's important to be about more than just making money.
87 weeks ago

Zack Zaban The "Save for Web" option on Photoshop is great for web design. It drastically reduces the time it takes for you photos to load. Also, Adobe Fireworks is a great tool that integrates functionality from Photoshop and Illustrator. It's geared towards people who need to edit image assets (backgrounds, logos, menu buttons) for web sites.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Vicki Boykis: Thanks for the tip. I actually just used this yesterday to upload a file to my site since I discovered IE6 doesn't support CMYK, only RGB.
112 weeks ago

Cassandra Jowett: CMYK should really only be used for printing; RGB is the standard on the web.
112 weeks ago

Rich DeMatteo Hey everyone! Would anyone be able to do me a quick favor. I have a picture that is all white, and I'd like to insert two colors in it, in a very small area. I don't have photo shop on my Mac and am out of luck. Would be greatly appreciated! Send me a message with your e-mail if you would be willing to help out! Thanks!

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Smith+Fritzy "Photoshop is for photos," and isn't Illustrator for illustrating and vector designing? :)

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Benjamin Jancewicz: You are correct sir! Hence the brand-spanking new group Illustrator! MoreYou are correct sir! Hence the brand-spanking new group Illustrator! http://www.brazencareerist.com/group/illustrator

If one wants to use these tools properly (ie, stop using your adjustable wrench as a hammer), you should edit photos in Photoshop, draw illustration and design elements in Illustrator, and layout designs (using imported Illustrations and Photos) in InDesign.

You can still get a nail in by pounding on it with a wrench, but won't go in as smoothly.
113 weeks ago

Jessica Campbell Youtube actually has some great tutorials for all sorts of design programs. I've been using Photoshop and Illustrator for a few years. I've recently discovered a great open source program call paint.net. I actually find it easier to use than photoshop. Its a little more limiting than Ps but still a great program.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Benjamin Jancewicz: GIMP is another great competitor.
113 weeks ago

Zack Zaban: Another free option is the beta version of Adobe Lightroom. This program provides numerous image editing functions and also can be used to manage ...MoreAnother free option is the beta version of Adobe Lightroom. This program provides numerous image editing functions and also can be used to manage hundreds of photos. You can download it here: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom3/. The only thing you need is an AdobeID (free). Works until April 30th, 2010.
113 weeks ago

Benjamin Jancewicz What's up, peoples! I've been using Photoshop since version 1 (that would be CS minus-7). :) I'd be glad to help anyone out. I'm on Brazen all the time, so if something's stumped you, let me know. I will mention, however, that you should take a cue from the name. Photoshop is for photos. If you want to make flyers or brochures, you should be using Illustrator and InDesign. Or if you don't want to mess with that stuff at all, you could always hire me. :D

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Smith+Fritzy I heard there's need for some gurus... I'll help if I can. But I'm curious - how many of you are marketing people wanting to mess around with photoshop to make flyers or try to take some of the design in-house? My quick suggestion/lesson to any of you reading and just starting out, remember this: Photoshop is a tool. It's easy to get sucked into the filters and effects, but you need to remember what your goal is and don't get overwhelmed with the options.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Zack Zaban: I completely agree. You also have to remember that Photoshop is only one piece of CS4 and should be used for image editing and not desktop publishing.
113 weeks ago

Ian Ives I've been using photoshop for about 6-7 years now, and I'm comfortable with some of the more advanced functions. I wouldn't say I'm a guru (I don't know every function inside-out) but I can definitely lend a hand. If you're into graphic design with photoshop, you might like my site: http://chancellorofdesign.com

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Ayesha Mathews~Wadhwa Hello!! In case you didn't know Lynda.com has great PS tutorials - $25 a month no long term commitment needed. Its super helpful and organized well..so you can pull up the specific task you're trying to do and see a video on that.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

JR Moreau *bows to the Photoshop Masters* I know nothing and I want to change that!

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

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JR Moreau: To be honest, I hate asking for help any time I need moderate editing done. I don't want to be a photoshop expert, but I'd love to become handy or ...MoreTo be honest, I hate asking for help any time I need moderate editing done. I don't want to be a photoshop expert, but I'd love to become handy or proficient with it.
113 weeks ago

Vicki Boykis: I agree. That's one of the reasons I decided to learn it, in addition to being able to create graphics that I can't really describe to people.
113 weeks ago

Cassandra Jowett I'm not a guru, but I'm definitely at least a long-term intermediate user. I've been using Photoshop for almost 10 years and I get by. I definitely don't use many of the advanced functions, but I'm comfortable enough with the interface that I can figure it out using tutorials.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Vicki Boykis: Hey Cassandra, thanks for joining. How did you learn Photoshop initially? Via book/program or just poking around?
113 weeks ago

Cassandra Jowett: Trial and error, for sure. "Back in the day" there were some tutorials, but they certainly weren't as numerous as they are today. I really started ...MoreTrial and error, for sure. "Back in the day" there were some tutorials, but they certainly weren't as numerous as they are today. I really started just downloading and playing around with funky brush sets to create interesting graphics (clearly I led a very interesting life as a teen).
113 weeks ago

Ryan Paugh Hey Vicki. Great idea for a group. I'm going to try to bring some Photoshop gurus on board.

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

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Ryan Paugh: Haha! Thanks Benjamin! The "Clint Eastwood of social media" ... That would be a pretty sweet title to have.
113 weeks ago

Benjamin Jancewicz: Do you feel connected, punk? ...well, do ya?
113 weeks ago

Vicki Boykis Here's my question as a beginning Photoshop user: what's the difference between Elements and Photoshop?

113 weeks ago from Photoshop

Cassandra Jowett: If you're a beginner, I'd say the most important difference is the price! If you're not a pro, I'd definitely recommend going with Elements. Most ...MoreIf you're a beginner, I'd say the most important difference is the price! If you're not a pro, I'd definitely recommend going with Elements. Most of the functionalities I use on a day-to-day basis (basic photo editing) with the full version of Photoshop now are comparable with the functionality of the super old copy of Elements I have on my desktop at home.
113 weeks ago

Benjamin Jancewicz: Totally agree. And I would say (odd for this group) that if you want to go even cheaper... download Google's Picasa for free. It has most of the ...MoreTotally agree. And I would say (odd for this group) that if you want to go even cheaper... download Google's Picasa for free. It has most of the functionality of Elements, and organizes photos better.

Kinda works like this:

Picasa - Decaf
Elements - Regular
Photoshop - Expresso
Photoshop Extended - Expresso Triple with extra sugar and shot of Red Bull.

:)
113 weeks ago

Vicki Boykis Hi everyone, welcome to the group!

113 weeks ago from Photoshop