I hope everyone will enjoy the Photoshop (PS) class tonight.  It will be basic and informal, but it will hopefully make people feel more comfortable about using PS.  Most of the questions I have received have been “How do I do this?” with a photo attached.  We will go over some simple photo editing techniques and design techniques that will get you started, or for PS intermediates, move you farther along.

As I was searching the web for some tools and tutorials, I quickly realized that I didn’t have time to search 180,000 results.  ;)  So here are a few links I found to some good basics (for FREE): 

BASICS LINKS:

photoshoplab.com – basic tools

simplephotoshop.com – tools and shortcuts

graphicssoft.about.com – basics

psd.tutsplus.com – cool effect tutorials

FONTS:

1001freefonts.com

dafont.com (my fav)

BRUSHES:

brusheezy.com

myphotoshopbrushes.com

TEXTURES:

cgtextures.com

texturez.com

All of these sites are free stuff, which anyone that knows me, knows I’m all about the free!  If you are looking for a specific stock photo or you don’t mind spending a little money, my favorite sites for stock photos are istockphoto.com and dreamstime.com.  When purchasing stock images, here’s a couple of helpful tips:

• purchase images you can use multiple times.  (frames, borders, design images)
• back up your purchases in case you do want to use them again in the future.
• purchase layered files if available.  This allows you to use design pieces and give that file many different looks.

The class is a casual, open forum setting.  Here’s a basic agenda, however we might deviate from it.  (I’m ADHD)

AGENDA:

• Introduction
• Opening questions
• PS interface / tools / getting around
• Layers
• Actions
• Blending Modes
• Filters
• Brushes

If everyone enjoys the class and would like to go more in depth, I would love to do these classes regularly. Please let me know what you think!

Thanks! Jody