Help with Photoshop pleeeeeeaaase!

[mouse_chalk]

I'm trying to make something in Photoshop. I have made really really basic stuff before- i.e I can stick pictures in a row etc, and I made a border for my signature a while ago but that took a looong time lol. I don't know why but this program baffles me so much....

I can't use Publisher or anything like that because I have a Mac and those programs either don't work for Macs or I can't find versions that work well enough....

What I want to do is to make a strip of colour, that fades/gets lighter along the way, and then put text over it. Maybe put a simple plain back border round my pics. Just general pretty stuff like that.

Where on EARTH do I start?! Are there any good tutorials for making graphics etc with Photoshop on the tinterweb? Can anyone give me a vague idea of where to start?


anic:


Thanks!

 

[Flashy]

There are some very good tutorials on the web. I have been using it to learn about my photoshop, although, I have no idea where they are because I use my CD and it links to them.

I could tell you how to do it on PaintShopPro but Photoshop is a completely different kettle of fish.

what Photoshop edition do you have, that might be a good place to start, lol.

 

[Lover_Of_Lopz]

What is Photoshop or tinterweb?

 

[mouse_chalk]

Flashy wrote:

There are some very good tutorials on the web. I have been using it to learn about my photoshop, although, I have no idea where they are because I use my CD and it links to them.

I could tell you how to do it on PaintShopPro but Photoshop is a completely different kettle of fish.

what Photoshop edition do you have, that might be a good place to start, lol.

Oops yes that might be a good start indeed!

I have CS3....

I have just about worked out that the layers thing is really important lol, but it still REALLY confuses me. Steve is too busy to help

 

[mouse_chalk]

Lover_Of_Lopz wrote:

What is Photoshop or tinterweb?

Photoshop is photo editing software- you can use it to make graphics etc with as well.

Tinterweb- is the internet. Sorry! That's what I call it sometimes

 

[Elf Mommy]

The main thing I use photoshop for at this point is just to erase around an image to cut it out. I then use publisher for all the background and wording. One reason for this is because my husband uses my desktop computer (he doesn't have one of his own) and the photoshop won't load on my work laptop. The other reason is because I'm lazy and publisher is user-friendly. I'm sorry I can't be more help

 

[Flashy]

Ah, I won't get out my CD to locate the tutorials then, because I have CS4, lol.

 

[Pet_Bunny]

I have CS3 too. I paid hundreds of dollars for it, and have no clue on how to use it. I have a simple program Nikon CaptureNX that came free with the purchase of my camera to do my editing.

 

[Lover_Of_Lopz]

ok i get it lol i need one i love to take photos

 

[mouse_chalk]

Flashy wrote:

Ah, I won't get out my CD to locate the tutorials then, because I have CS4, lol.

I didn't even know there was a CS4, lol!

Stan, I normally just use the basic editing features in iPhoto because I don't do much to them lol. I've read tons of stuff on photo editing in photography magazines but it just doesn't sink in....

I have managed to get a bar of fading colour up! HOORAY! I think I did it by accident, lol. It's purple and orange though, not really the colours I wanted, but I can't figure out how to change them to the colours I want?

 

[Pet_Bunny]

mouse_chalk wrote:

but it just doesn't sink in....

I am worst than you. There are some functions on my camera, I haven't figured out yet. :blushan:

 

[pinksalamander]

If you add me on MSN I may be able to guide you through what you want to do? I learnt the majority of my photoshop skills being shown by my Mum, so I guess that would be the best way to go about it...

 

[mouse_chalk]

pinksalamander wrote:

If you add me on MSN I may be able to guide you through what you want to do? I learnt the majority of my photoshop skills being shown by my Mum, so I guess that would be the best way to go about it...

Aaah that would be great, thanks! I don't know your email, but mine is [email protected] (I've posted it here before so I don't really mind who sees it lol!)


I've managed to figure out how to change the colour of the gradient wotsit, but I still can't remember how I did it lol. I lost it and got it back again, and I STILL don't remember how I did it!

Now I'm just looking for the perfect font to make text with...

 

[pinksalamander]

Added. I'm here to help.

 

[mouse_chalk]

I am forever indebted to Fran! She very patiently talked me through step by step what I needed to do, and now I have a signature!!

:bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance:

I still need to adjust fonts etc, because I can't find one I like lol...

But I know SO much more about Photoshop than I did a few hours ago...

Fran, you rock!

:bow

 

[pinksalamander]

Was a pleasure! I spent most of the time watching Devil Wears Prada if I'm honest :S

 

[mouse_chalk]

pinksalamander wrote:

Was a pleasure! I spent most of the time watching Devil Wears Prada if I'm honest :S

Lol! As long as I didn't frustrate you too much!

That thing you taught me about putting the outline round the text? After you went offline I had a little play, and found that I could do it to the individual pictures as well- hence I ended up with this one! Steve seemed quite surprised at my sudden progress lol. I think he's just glad that I don't sit here shouting at the computer anymore

 

[pinksalamander]

And I see you got the hang of the whole gradient on the back, and the paintbrush tool as well

The thing I always make sure is to put EVERYTHING on a new layer. Seriously, even if it seems unnecessary, it will make life so much easier if something goes wrong or you want to change something.

 

[mouse_chalk]

pinksalamander wrote:

And I see you got the hang of the whole gradient on the back, and the paintbrush tool as well

The thing I always make sure is to put EVERYTHING on a new layer. Seriously, even if it seems unnecessary, it will make life so much easier if something goes wrong or you want to change something.

I did! And I made several new gradients in my experimentation and added them to the toolbar. There is a window that allows me to adjust the exact colour and intensity of the gradient that I keep ending up in accidentally. I can never remember how I get there, so I tend to keep just double clicking like a crazy person until it appears again! Apart from that, I actually understand how to do things now, whereas before I didn't even have a clue how to start! And the layers still get me a bit because I keep forgetting about them lol, but it's easy when you know how!