Since there's been some discussion here about Photoshop and its use, I figured there might be some interest in the following document which I authored and sent out to colleagues in Summer 2003, right after UNC's Training Center (which offered classes for Photoshop) got cut...

Caveat lector: I have no idea whether these links are still viable, so be prepared for broken links

****

Everyone,

In light of the recent budget difficulties and the closing of the ATN training center, I thought there might be some interest in learning materials and tutorials that one can get for free, right off the web. Since the Adobe classes here at UNC’s Training Center and I have a personal interest in digital imaging, I chose to focus on Photoshop. Below, I’ve compiled a collection of links and online resources which can help the absolute beginner learn Photoshop as well as broaden the skills of those already possessing a good sense of the program. Additionally, because most of us would rather have something taught to us rather than having to muddle through written instructions, I prioritized finding video tutorials. Surprisingly, there really is a slew of quality, free training materials on the web

Beginners:

1. For those totally new to Adobe Photoshop, I would recommend starting with Computer-Training-Software.com’s extensive selection of video tutorials. These “demos” are basic, easy to follow, and explain Photoshop’s layout and tool set -- at the same time providing a general overview of digital imaging theory.

http://www.computer-training-software.com/usa/photoshop-7.htm


2. ATN Help Documentation: Well-written, easy-to-understand help docs all in PDF format.

http://help.unc.edu/?search=photoshop&Submit=s+e+a+r+c+h+


3. Webmonkey: A six lesson down and dirty html-based tutorial for getting started with Photoshop. A little dated (using Photoshop 4!), but there are also links to Photoshop 7 updates on the same page.

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/design/graphics/tutorials/tutorial1.html


Intermediate & Advanced

Russell Brown and Deke McClellan are probably recognized as the top Photoshop trainers in the field, and both are energetic and engaging teachers. (Take a break, however, between viewings of their video tutorials. Both of these guys can become downright annoying in their attempts to be humorous and uplifting.) Their walkthroughs assume that one has a solid understanding of the tool sets, layers, and Photoshop program layout.

Catherine Haynes, also a video trainer, is much more reserved, deliberate, and professional, but the viewer needs to be primed for delving into Photoshop’s netherworlds. I realized quickly that I’ve got a long way to go before tackling the information in one of her instructional sessions.

Todd Stabley is a staff member in the Center for Teaching and Learning, and he’s also UNC’s in-house Photoshop guru. A respected photographer and digital enthusiast, Todd has developed a number of tutorials and information sheets which explain and simplify many of the Image and Color Correction features in Photoshop.

Russell Brown:

1. AutoColor Magic, Healing Brush Tips, and Liquify Filter (quicktime)
http://www.russellbrown.com/body.html

2. Vector Shapes (quicktime)
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/phsrbvectorshapes/main.html

3. Russell Brown Roadshow (9 quicktime tutorials)
http://www.adobe.com.au/events/roadshow_ps7/main.html

4. Shape and Text Effects (quicktime)
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/phsrbhottips/main.html

5. Wrinkle Remover (quicktime)
http://www.adobe.com/print/tips/facelift/main.html

6. Painting with Light (quicktime)
http://www.adobe.com/print/tips/phslight/main.html

7. Pyromaniac (quicktime)
http://www.adobe.com/print/tips/phspyro/main.html

8. Extracting Hair (less painful than it sounds; quicktime)
http://www.creativepro.com/img/story/ExtractHair.pdf


Deke McClellan (quicktime movies)

1. RGB Space, Image Conversion
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/totalphs13/main.html

2. Using Adjustment Layers to Lighten an Image
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/totalphs12/main.html

3. Layer Options
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/totalphs3/main.html

4. Magic Wand Magic
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/totalphs6/main.html


Catherine Haynes (quicktime movies)

1. How To Create a "Pull Back" Curve to Compensate for Dot Gain
http://www.teamflexo.com/movies/pull-back.asp#

2. Finding Highlight and Shadow Points in an Image
http://www.teamflexo.com/movies/highlight-shadow.asp


Todd Stabley (online documentation)

1. Repairing Dust and Scratches
http://www.unc.edu/cit/multimedia/imaging/dustAndScratches/

2. Advanced Color Correction
http://www.unc.edu/cit/multimedia/imaging/colorCorrect1/

3. Tips for Using Nikon Coolscan Scanners with Nikon Scan 3.x Software
http://www.unc.edu/cit/multimedia/imaging/scanning/coolscan/


Other Photoshop Tutorials

1. Pattern Making in Photoshop (html)
http://www.design.iastate.edu/LABS/pc_tutorials/photoshop/pstut0004.html

2. Creating the Elements: Simulating the Weather (pdf)
http://www.creativepro.com/img/story/060403_monroyrain.pdf

3. Photoshop Hotkeys: Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac & PC (pdf)
http://user.fundy.net/morris/downloads/PS7HotKeys-Mac.pdf
http://user.fundy.net/morris/downloads/Photoshop7HotKeys.pdf

4. Quick and Dirty Text on a Circle (pdf)
http://user.fundy.net/morris/downloads/TextCircle.pdf

5. Batch Processing (html)
http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/batch/batch.html

6. Repair Damaged Photos (pdf)
http://www.adobe.com/web/tips/psmagazine/pdf/psmag.pdf

7. Creating Pixel Art (html & pdf)
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=18023&subsectionid=847&subsubsectionid=762

8. A Matter of Preference: Custom Configuring Preferences in Photoshop
http://user.fundy.net/morris/downloads/MatterOfPrefs.pdf

9. Creating a Stippling Effect
http://www.adobe.com/print/tips/stippling/main.html

10. Recent Adobe Tutorials for Photoshop
http://www.adobe.com/products/tips/photoshop.html


Photoshop/Graphic Art Links

The following URLs represent a quickly compiled list of potential sources for tips, tricks, and tutorials for Adobe Photoshop. Please realize that the information presented in these sites may be dated, simplistic/amateurish, and/or inaccurate.

http://www.mccannas.com/pshop/menu.htm
http://www.grafx-design.com/phototut.html
http://www.handson.nu/
http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/index.htm
http://teched.vt.edu/gcc/HTML/VirtualTextbook/VirtualTutorials/VTPhotoshop.html
http://www.raestudios.com/tutorials.shtml
http://user.fundy.net/morris/
http://www.pixelfoundry.com/
http://www.photoshopace.com/home.htm
http://www.tutorialfind.com/tutorials/graphicssoftware/
http://www.creativepro.com/front/home