TechShop:Getting started in Photoshop
Here are some key links and resources to get you going in Adobe Photoshop
Find out more about Photoshop and the company that make it Adobe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoshop
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Systems
The tool bars in Adobe package have the same looking icons and colours and so once you know one you know five ! The easist way to find out what a tool is, is to roll over it with the mouse and then stop the mouse a tool tip (like this) will appear floating next to your mouse telling you the name of the tool. For example the Lasso tool, hopefully you can guess its for roping around objects (just like a lasso and cattle) :) Please see attached PDF explaining some of the tools
Creating a document in photoshop from scratch is very easy (file > new) however you must have an understanding of your output to ensure you select the correct dimensions. For print is is always 300 pixel/inch (dpi) at the size you wish to print in mm cm or inches, for web or screen based work you would in pixel sizes and resolution is not a consideration (although 72 is considered the defacto standard - it actually makes no difference)
There can be a lot to layers and they will take some time to master. But they are not that difficult once you understand how they work.
What is a Layer?
A layer is simply one image stacked on top of another. Take a piece of paper and paint it red. Then take a piece of clear acetate and paint a yellow circle, and lay it over the paper. Now take another piece acetate and paint some blue text onto it and lay this on top of the yellow circle. The resulting layered document would look like this.
An introduction to layers (Part 1 & 2) from http://www.oneminutetip.com/
http://www.newmediamanuals.com/podcast/videos/OMT-PSW-Layers-Palette_034.mov
http://www.newmediamanuals.com/podcast/videos/OMT-PSW-Layers-part2_035.mov
Blend Modes (Layers)
http://www.fudgegraphics.com/2008/12/visual-guide-to-layer-blending-modes-in-photoshop/#more-527
Books in the Library
Books in the Library
Photoshop CS3 for Windows and Macintosh
Weinmann, Elaine.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 for photographers : a professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC
Evening, Martin.
Links
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/?id=vid0001
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/html/vid0001.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EooYoYYTQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePHMAkV4TjE&feature=related
