Photoshop skills...

[Moonliner]

As a wise man recently pointed out, my Photoshop skills are non-existent.

So what are my options for getting some rudimentary skills in this area? For example I'd like to be better at grafting Kevy's face on to all matter of photos.

I don't have a copy of Photoshop handy, what would be a cheap way to do this? Is there a freeware app that I should look at, would I have to purchase Photoshop elements, or something more?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Bring out the Gimp

Or GimpShop which adds a skin to make the interface more like Photoshop

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Bring out the Gimp

Or GimpShop which adds a skin to make the interface more like Photoshop

Hummm this note on the front page of their website is not overly reassuring:

Originally Posted by Gimp

It's been a long time since we last had an active Windows-based developer. Consequently, GIMP has accumulated a plethora of bugs specific for that operating system. As much as we'd like to provide a smooth user experience for Windows users, we simply do not have the required human resources.

[Capt Jack]

a few alternatives to Photoshop

while Ive not tried any of them, they dont look terrible. YMMV

[Snowflake]

For simple thing I use fotoflexer online at the office because the MS Office photo editor is crap.

For a less expensive editor, I've used Paint Shop Pro for years. It's pretty powerful and costs a fraction of what a full version of Photoshop will be. Reminds me, I should upgrade, I'm way behind...

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

For simple thing I use fotoflexer online at the office because the MS Office photo editor is crap.

For a less expensive editor, I've used Paint Shop Pro for years. It's pretty powerful and costs a fraction of what a full version of Photoshop will be. Reminds me, I should upgrade, I'm way behind...

Simple. That sounds like me. I'll give FotoFlexer a try. Thanks.

[CoasterMatt]

I don't use Photoshop. I use a combination of Lightroom and Capture NX2.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'll second the vote for CaptureNX2. It does just about everything I want in photo editing. I do have Photoshop, but I still haven't figured out how to use it. I'm taking it one skill at a time, trying to figure things out. I bought a book but I haven't taken the time to work with it much.

My problem with PS is that it's all icons, where the instructions in my head are text, as are a lot of the instructions I see here and there. What does the icon for that thing look like, and *where* is it????

So I usually end up back with CaptureNX2. I know where things are, they make sense, and it's menus, not icons/pictures.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The easiest way to get skillz is to google that sh1t. There are tons of tutorials out there, from blogs to message boards to slideshows to full helpful videos. I haven't taken a single class. I just search "photoshop how to..."

I can offer advice too, if the WWWebs aren't helping.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

The easiest way to get skillz is to google that sh1t. .

Sometimes the opinions of a few friends is more interesting than the uber consciousness of the Google hive mind.

But yes, now that they have helped narrow down the field of available options to a more manageable level I will toss a bit of Google-Foo at the issue.