With the winter downtime, I've more or less decided to re-learn Photoshop. I have gotten along ok without it for several years, but it had become apparent that to take my post-processing to another level, Photoshop is the obvious choice.
So, for getting back to some of the basics, I have been viewing videos on Lynda. com.
Moving on, I probably will purchase the videos put out by either or both, Chip Phillips and Sean Bagshaw. Any comments of their offerings?
It is also quite apparent Tony Kuyper's actions will be a must purchase as well in the future.
For reference, it would be an advantage to have book, preferrably an ebook. Any recommendations? Addtionally, please suggest other good sources of information you have found valuable.
Posted by Doug Beezley on March 22, 2013 at 11:41 PM
The Adobe Photoshop CS6 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. It's available in either book or Kindle. He not only tells you "how" but also, "why".
Even I can understand this.
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
Posted by Jack Garrett on March 22, 2013 at 11:50 PM
I have both Chip Philips and Sean Bagshaw's videos and they are extremely well done. I think Chip's is a little easier to understand but both are great!! Chip also shows you how to make your own actions which is a big plus.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 23, 2013 at 10:23 AM
I liked Chip's video too as it shows you how to incorporate the Luminosity Masking actions in your workflow.
Tony K.'s tutorials that come with his actions are really excellent, as well. Both of these will keep you plenty busy and may be most of what you need to know to optimize your images. I would start with Tony's work first. Once you get your head wrapped around what the actions can achieve (not a terribly easy thing to do at first), then Chip's video will make much more sense.
Scott Kelby's book mentioned above is a great way to get the best from the various tools available in PS for photographers.
Posted by Larry Douglas on March 23, 2013 at 11:54 AM
I also have both Chip Philips and Sean Bagshaw's videos and find them great. I like Bagshaw's videos a little better because they are broken down into little bite size lessons that are easy to digest and review as needed. I think I will start to work on my winter project as well. Thanks for the hint ;O)>.
I am not aware of Chip Phillips work(another thing to do...) but I am aware of Seans' and Tonys'. I have Seans Nature Photography Worksflow series and the just released tutorials on Luminosity masking. I especially liked that new set on the Lum masks as I have a real hard time wrapping my head around the written word but to listen to Sean as he demonstrates has made it possible for me to understand the concepts and start to add that component into my processing. The other Bagshaw videos are well done also and the smaller bites make things pretty easy.
I also just got a set from Andy Cook..his Post Processing workflow where he processes several images while you watch. I always find this stuff so neat to watch.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on March 24, 2013 at 9:22 AM
Craig Tanner's training videos at The Mindful Eye ( http://www.tmelive.com/ ), are extremely informative. They are more about the artistic side, like composition and design, but especially about color adjustments and dodging. I'm not sure if the downloads always work. Here is a good one: http://www.tmelive.com/index.php/articles/view/715/3.html
Just as a follow up, I spend a marathon session this weekend viewing Sean Bagshaw's Luminosity Masking videos. As others had mentioned, they are quite excellent. I don't believe I would have the same understanding without viewing a hands-on demonstration.
But after viewing them and understanding the concept (or at least I think I do), from a workflow standpoint, luminosity masking won't always address teasing out the best of a photo where the midtones aspects of an image need adjusting. This is particularly the case with vegetation. So, its on to Chip's videos that should provide other tools and techniques available. I suspect use a few of them in my current workflow, but its always informative to learn other techniques.
And, no doubt, Tony Kuypers's actions are a no-brainer, unless one has a lot of time on their hands.
Thanks for all the input so far!
You may not need Chip's video if you already have Sean's set.
Consider using the Luminosity actions as Curve Adjustment Layers rather than Channel Masks.
That's a lot easier way to get started and you can see the results as you lift up (or drag down) the Curves.
Plus, adjustment layers automatically include a layer mask so you can make local adjustments rather than global ones.
Discussion
9 repliesSo, for getting back to some of the basics, I have been viewing videos on Lynda. com.
Moving on, I probably will purchase the videos put out by either or both, Chip Phillips and Sean Bagshaw. Any comments of their offerings?
It is also quite apparent Tony Kuyper's actions will be a must purchase as well in the future.
For reference, it would be an advantage to have book, preferrably an ebook. Any recommendations? Addtionally, please suggest other good sources of information you have found valuable.
Even I can understand this.
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
Tony K.'s tutorials that come with his actions are really excellent, as well. Both of these will keep you plenty busy and may be most of what you need to know to optimize your images. I would start with Tony's work first. Once you get your head wrapped around what the actions can achieve (not a terribly easy thing to do at first), then Chip's video will make much more sense.
Scott Kelby's book mentioned above is a great way to get the best from the various tools available in PS for photographers.
I also just got a set from Andy Cook..his Post Processing workflow where he processes several images while you watch. I always find this stuff so neat to watch.
But after viewing them and understanding the concept (or at least I think I do), from a workflow standpoint, luminosity masking won't always address teasing out the best of a photo where the midtones aspects of an image need adjusting. This is particularly the case with vegetation. So, its on to Chip's videos that should provide other tools and techniques available. I suspect use a few of them in my current workflow, but its always informative to learn other techniques.
And, no doubt, Tony Kuypers's actions are a no-brainer, unless one has a lot of time on their hands.
Thanks for all the input so far!
Consider using the Luminosity actions as Curve Adjustment Layers rather than Channel Masks.
That's a lot easier way to get started and you can see the results as you lift up (or drag down) the Curves.
Plus, adjustment layers automatically include a layer mask so you can make local adjustments rather than global ones.