ϟ Photoshop ϟ Complete Guide for Begginers

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Hello! In this thread I'll give you some ideas and informations how to get started before you say "Photoshop is hard to use!" because if you say that, you're wrong. It's easy to use after you learn the basics and practice a little.

But, before I begin with the guide itself, let me show some exemple of what you can do with the power of Photoshop.

Photo Manipulation:
Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means.
http://www.youthedesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/photoshop-examples-21.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/photo_manipulation_12.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/photo_manipulation_34.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/photo_manipulation_23.jpg

Typography:
Typography is performed by typesetters, compositors, typographers, graphic designers, art directors, comic book artists, graffiti artists, clerical workers, and anyone else who arranges type for a product.
http://d2f8dzk2mhcqts.cloudfront.net/117_Earth/final_1920.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/typeinp13.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/typeinp16.jpg
http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/typeinp18.jpg

WebDesign:
Most of the websites are now designed using Photoshop because there you have unlimited ways to customize your website and make it how you want it to be.
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/013/a/e/Web_design__Amazium_by_sergitosuanez.jpg
http://slodive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/single/ormanclark.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30675916/FreshFolio.jpg (by me)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30675916/FreshBlue.png (by me)

Now because I got your atention and I know that you want to learn how to do that, I'll start with the guide.

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The first step is to learn the basics of Photoshop, and that means we must learn how to use the tools, filters and the other many options of PS.
To learn that, I'll add the links for some tutorials from YouTube.
Remember! This is a verry important step, so don't jump over this. You can't do much if you don't know how to use Photoshop... So.

1. Tool Uses & Basics - Good tutorial for learning how to use the tools and some other basics.
Photoshop Tutorial - Tool Uses and Basics - YouTube

2. Opening and Saving Files - Yes, the most important part is to know how to save your hard work and open it later for re-editing or to send it to someone.
PhotoShop CS5 for Beginners - #02. Opening and Saving Files - YouTube

3. Resizing Images - 6 Minutes tutorial. You have nothing to lose by learning how to resize a image without losing the quality.
Photoshop CS4 - Resizing Images - YouTube

4. Beginner Masking Technique - In this tutorial you'll actually learn how to cut someone or even an object from a picture and place it over another picture/background (Exemple. You cut the bird shape from a picture and put it on a background with the sky.)
Photoshop CS4 - Beginner Masking Technique - YouTube

5. Using the pen tool - How to use the pen tool in photoshop. Skills covered in this tutorial include curving, defining anchor points, and making custom shapes using the pen tool.
Photoshop CS4 - Using The Pen Tool (Basics) - YouTube (Making Shapes)
Photoshop CS4 - Using The Pen Tool For Paths (And Curvy Text!) - YouTube (Using The Pen Tool For Paths)

6. Quick Photofilter Effect - This will help you in changing the colors of the picture to something darker/lighter than the original.
Photoshop CS4 - Quick Photofilter Effect - YouTube

7. Changing Hair/Eye Color - Get more skills in colors editing by following this guide to learn how to change hair and eyes color but you can do the same for other things.
Changing Hair/Eye Color in Photoshop! - YouTube

8. How To Smudge - Smudging is a verry used method in signatures and wallpapers. I suggest you to take a look.
How To Smudge | Photoshop Tutorial - YouTube

9. Adjustment Layers - Use the adjustment layers, give your photos and wallpapers nice effects. This is based on colors changing but verry usefull.
Photoshop: Adjustment Layers (HD) - YouTube

10. Downloading, Installing, and Using Brushes - Brushes are used most of the time in wallpapers and signatures and in this guide you'll learn how to download, install and how to use them.
Downloading, Installing, and Using Brushes in Photoshop! - YouTube

Awesome! You're on the right way to a professional designer.
And now because we know the basics of Photoshop we can go at the next level of tutorials.

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Don't worry, advanced doesn't means it's for the pro designers, it means that we'll focus on creating designs with more work, like wallpapers, signatures, web designs, etc.
You don't need to follow all of the guides I'll post, but at least try to follow some of them or maybe you want to focus on only one of the designs types.
So, lets start with some video tutorials because there you can see exactly how it's made, not like pictures tutorials.

1. Signatures - The signatures are mostly used for forums as something that will represent yourself and are not larger than 500x250(Horizontal) / 250x500(Vertical), not because I say but if it's larger it can be considered wallpaper. I normaly use a size around 400x160 but it's up to you.
Photoshop Signature Tutorial - Stock & Texture Part 1 - YouTube (Good tutorial to learn how to use textures, stocks and brushes.)
Photoshop Signature Tutorial - Stock & Texture Part 2 - YouTube (Part 2)
Photoshop Stock Signature Tutorial - Beginner - YouTube
HD Photoshop Sig Tutorial - Great Outcome - YouTube (We're using Smudging method!)
Photoshop Signature Tutorial-Halo Render - YouTube (Learn how to use the adjustment layers on signatures.)

2. Text Effects - Learn how to create different kind of text styles.
#28 Photoshop - Orange Power Wallpaper Tutorial - YouTube
Photoshopping Neon Text Tutorial (@photoguides) - YouTube
Improved Photoshop Glass Effect Tutorial - YouTube
Realistic Fire Text Effect - Photoshop CS5 Tutorial - YouTube
Add Visual Texture 3 Easy Steps | Tutorial9

3. Photo Manipulation & Editing - Photo manipulation tutorials. Create designs by combining more pictures in one. Learn how to Add nice effects to pictures.
Photoshop - Photo Manipulation - YouTube (The apple with lion face.)
Photoshop CS4 Rainbow eyes tutorial. - YouTube
Photoshop Tutorial: How to Create a Dazzling Dance Photo Manipulation - YouTube
"Neuance" Photo Effect | Photoshop CS5 Tutorial - YouTube
Adobe Photoshop Tutorial: Vintage & Retro - YouTube
Maximize Detail Depth and Drama using Photoshop - YouTube

4. Typography - Learn how to make some cool typographic designs using the next tutorials.
Photoshop Tutorial - Typographic Design [HD] - YouTube
Photoshop Tutorial - Retro typography wallpaper - YouTube
Simple Typography Tutorial - YouTube

5. Web Design - Some medium difficulty and well explained tutorials that will help you to start your career in web designing...
Create a light grunge website layout | Ultimate Designer Toolkit
How to Create an Effective Coming Soon Page | PSDFan
PSDCORE – Modern Web 2.0 Web Layout
Cloud9 Web Design Layout | hv-designs
How to Create a Baby Website Template in Photoshop | ArtBox7.com

Now that's what I found on YouTube to be for easy to medium difficulty.
So, I'll go to part 4 where I'll tell you where you can find more tutorials and resources for Photoshop

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1. Tutorials Websites - There's a list with websites where you can find thousands of tutorials and new ones coming everyday.
Adobe Photoshop Tutorials from Beginner to Advanced | Psdtuts+
Tutorial9 - The Best Resources for Designers, Every Day.
Photoshop Tutorials
Photoshop Tutorials | Photoshop Lady *
Photoshop Tutorials | PhotoshopStar
Best Photoshop Tutorials
Adobe Photoshop tutorials
Extra Unique Adobe Photoshop Tutorials - PSD Vault
Photoshop « PSDVIBE – Tutorials and Resources (Many Web Design tutorials.)
Photoshop Tutorials and Flash Tutorials - Tutorialized (Many PS Tutorials, including over 100 Web Design Tuts.)

2. Brushes Websites - Download brushes for your upcoming designs. Check the tutorial in Photoshop basics to learn how to install them.
Free Photoshop Brushes at Brusheezy!
Photoshop Brushes
PS Brushes.net - Photoshop Brushes, Your Number one source for Photoshop Brushes
Free Photoshop Brushes | BrushKing ♛
QBrushes - Quality Brushes for Photoshop
Free Photoshop Brushes | BrushLovers.com
deviantART: where ART meets application! (Use the search.)

3. Textures Websites - Download textures for your upcoming designs. Check the tutorial in Part 2 to learn how to use them.
Free Textures from TextureKing
Free High Resolution Textures - Lost and Taken
Free Textures, Seamless Textures | Texturise | Free high resolution textures, seamless textures and backgrounds.
Grunge Textures | High Resolution Textures for Digital Art and Graphic Design
http://designm.ag/resources/2000-absolutely-free-textures/
100 Beautiful Free Textures | Smashing Magazine
deviantART: where ART meets application! (Use the search.)

4. Stock Photo Sites - Download free stock for your upcoming designs.
Free Photos - Free Images | Stockvault.net - Free Stock Photos
everystockphoto - searching free photos
deviantART: where ART meets application!
Stock Photos | Shutterstock: Royalty-Free Subscription Stock Photography & Vector Art (It's not Free!)
Free Photos - Free Images - Royalty Free Photos - Free Stock Photos - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5. Fonts Websites - Download text fonts for your upcoming designs.
Free Fonts, Cool Fonts - UrbanFonts.com
dafont.com
Free Fonts Download
17,178 free fonts for Windows and Mac - FontSpace

6. Renders - Download free renders for your upcoming designs.
Planet Renders v4.1
http://www.premiumrenders.net/gallery/
Renders
Photoshop Renders Packs | 22Pixels

7. PSD Files - Download free Photoshop files.
365psd | Download a free PSD every day.
FREE PSD FILES | Free PSD resources like textures, icons, buttons, backgrounds and many many more..
Free Design Resources & PSD Files by Awesome Designers
PSDHOME - Download free layered PSD files
Free Download Psd Images | Hot Psd files

8. Online Tools & Images Hosting - Some more websites that will help you to upload your images, find fonts & pictures.
WhatTheFont! « MyFonts - Find fonts used in logos or other designs.
TinEye Reverse Image Search - Reverse image search. Start by an edited picture to see the original one.
http://dropbox.com/ - One of the best images hosting website. I recommend it.
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket - The second images hosting website in my top.
http://www.toggl.com/ - Time tracking tool for freelance web developers and designers who tend to get paid by the hour.

Thankyou for reading the guide and I hope this helped you in your graphic design career.

Credits: Me for finding and checking every video and tutorial, writing the guide.
Don't post this on any other forum/website without my permission.

I'm going to update this guide with more links, videos and more thread pictures!

 

good for newby's *-*

so good for meh too :3

>.<

 

*red glowing eyes*
yuuuuuuy

 

nice one bro <3

 

nao sak on deeeeez

 

Without watching the tutorials (apart from the one on showing what tools do) I attempted to make a signature this is the outcome.....

 

im noob with photoshop >.<

 

Now if I can only afford Photoshop.

 

internet its your best friend
download it, get a keygen, ur done <3

 

Cool tutorial

 

i like it