# I got Photoshop 7. What kind of fun can a knownothing have before lessons are needed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984 "2005-04-19T02:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/1 "2005-04-19T02:21:02Z")
My daughter, seeing how much fun I have with my digital camera and pictures, thought it would be cool for me to have Photoshop, so she put it on the computer. Only I don’t know ANYTHING about it except that you can use it to edit pictures. After these words of advice from my daughter “Just use bandaid, that’s what I do.” I removed an unwanted string from a picture of a face mask (cool!) and that’s it. I’ve hit a brick wall. What else can a newbie like me I do with Photoshop? And where can I find easy to follow directions-- preferably, but not necessarily, for free– ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/2 "2005-04-19T02:27:56Z")
Youu know those “caption this pic” threads? Well, try actually adding word balloons. ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/3 "2005-04-19T03:17:22Z")
I have been continually amazed by what people can do with Photshop. Have a look [here](http://www.arraich.com/ps_intro.htm) for some basic tips. Learn to use the keyboard instead of the mouse for basic operations and that will help things go faster and smoother. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/4 "2005-04-19T03:28:56Z")
> [@Toddly](#): > > I have been continually amazed by what people can do with Photshop. Have a look [here](http://www.arraich.com/ps_intro.htm) for some basic tips. Learn to use the keyboard instead of the mouse for basic operations and that will help things go faster and smoother. That site is freakin’ _beautiful_. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/5 "2005-04-19T03:40:54Z")
For some cheap thrills, try applying some of the Filters to a whole picture. There are a lot of them to check out, and it’ll give you an idea of some of the things you can do. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/6 "2005-04-19T03:49:17Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > For some cheap thrills, try applying some of the Filters to a whole picture. There are a lot of them to check out, and it’ll give you an idea of some of the things you can do. And now I’ve come to learn that all those company newsletter people were just using Photoshop filters. I’ve been in the desert and there’s been water everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/7 "2005-04-19T04:05:42Z")
I’m not trying to accuse you of anything, but if you purchase the Photoshop, it comes with a manual. If you didn’t, perhaps you could ask for help on a bulletin board. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/8 "2005-04-19T04:32:04Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’m not trying to accuse you of anything, but if you purchase the Photoshop, it comes with a manual. If you didn’t, perhaps you could ask for help on a bulletin board. You are _so_ trying to accuse me of something! I can see it in your eyes. You are judging me from across the void of cyberspace. So you’re telling me all I have to do is read the manual and I will understand how to use Photoshop? That surely I gained access to Photoshop’s glory by nefarious means or else I would not come here, to a message board, to ask questions? But wait! You do suggest I ask on a bulletin board. A bulletin board here in my house or at work? I’m sure I could gain a lot from the tiny peices of paper someone tacks to a bulletin board. The truth is you are absolutely right **squeegee**. All I really need to do is slog through this novel written in a language very close to English to learn everything I need to know. And there is no need to ask any of the smartest people on the internet (plus a few dipsticks) what I can do and where I should go to find out more information. Since you are not trying to accuse me of anything, I will refrain from being sarcastic. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/9 "2005-04-19T04:45:05Z")
> [@biggirl](#): > > My daughter…thought it would be cool for me to have Photoshop, so she put it on the computer Did you, or your daughter pay for the software, or not? Simple question. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/10 "2005-04-19T06:17:01Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’m not trying to … , but … you are. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/11 "2005-04-19T11:04:07Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Did you, or your daughter pay for the software, or not? Simple question. Yes it is a simple question. One you haven’t asked until now and one that is indeed accusatory in nature. So this little piece of business: > [@](#): > > I’m not trying to accuse you of anything, but if you purchase the Photoshop, it comes with a manual. If you didn’t, perhaps you could ask for help on a bulletin board. is snark at it’s most transparent. Again, I’ve purchased nothing, so I guess you can say I stole Photoshop. I don’t know whether my daughter stole it, since I didn’t ask— I guess I’m just not as snarky as you **squeegee** ole pal. I’ll ask her if she’s gone on a shoplifting spree when she gets in this evening so that I can satisfy your rude and insulting question. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/12 "2005-04-19T13:12:33Z")
Biggirl - If you’ve stolen the app, which you admit is the case, I hope that if you actually find it useful you’ll consider coming clean and buying it. The entry-level version is only $89. I know software piracy happens, it’s a fact of life. I also know that car theft happens, but I don’t see threads around here that begin: > [@](#): > > “Hi, my teenage daughter just gave me a car that she’d boosted! Give me your driving tips!” You can be a thief on your own time. But if you’re foolish show up on the internet, admit as much, and then ask for help using what you’ve stolen, expect a little snark. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/13 "2005-04-19T13:19:26Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Biggirl - > > If you’ve stolen the app, which you admit is the case, I hope that if you actually find it useful you’ll consider coming clean and buying it. The entry-level version is only $89. > > I know software piracy happens, it’s a fact of life. I also know that car theft happens, but I don’t see threads around here that begin: > > You can be a thief on your own time. But if you’re foolish show up on the internet, admit as much, and then ask for help using what you’ve stolen, expect a little snark. I don’t know from what orafice you are pulling out your assumptions. My suggestion is for you would be to stuff them back into the hole from whence they came— only this isn’t the forum for such nastiness. If you would like to accuse me and/or my daughter of being thieves there is a forum just for that. Until then you can keep your snark and your stupid, invalid assumptions and. . . do happy things with them. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/14 "2005-04-19T13:22:46Z")
Gah! I have been following this, and I can not you showed your face here again. You do realize that it is not nice to accuse people of crimes, don’t you? Oh, and for inspiration of future Photoshop entries, you might want to go to-, no wait, you alredy said you went their, in Awesome websites. Hmmmm, ok. Well, [googlig photoshop +tricks +faq](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=photoshop+%2Btricks+%2Bfaq), already comes up with quite a few hit, however, being as how I am a fan of Photoshop contest, and am thus not qualified to judge the content of said hits, I guess the on thing I can really do is to say, “squeegee, she says she doesn’t know where her daughter got it, which is not the same as stealing, and even if it was, you are really being a creep.” ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/15 "2005-04-19T14:04:09Z")
Personally, I’m not sure that lessons are ever really needed to learn to use Photoshop. You can learn a lot just by following online tutorials and experimenting with the tools a lot. Once you have a handle on the basics, you can try more advanced things. For tutorials, I’d suggest going to [deviantArt](http://www.deviantart.com), then hitting browse\>resources\>tutorials: Photoshop. There’s a lot there for doing digital art, but there’s also some on photomanipulation. Unfortunately, there’s no way to sort by subject, so you’ll have to browse the hard way. But it’s a good place for picking up tips and tricks. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/16 "2005-04-19T14:33:17Z")
You can always switch over to the freeware version called [GimpShop](http://blog.yumdap.net/archives/20-GIMPshop-for-Windows.html) for XP. It’s free, supposedly the same features as Photoshop and the same layout with only half the snark. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/17 "2005-04-19T14:41:22Z")
Ignoring the (rude) hijack, Photoshop is a life-changing experience. I kid you not. Even me who never knew how to do any of that stuff, I have learned to do all kinds of stuff. It’s a great program. Follow the links people have told you and have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/18 "2005-04-19T15:08:29Z")
I wasn’t going to answer **squeegee’s** rude question because rudeness does not deserve an answer. But, by not answering, it now _seems_ as if the software is pirated. It is not. To answer the question-- No, neither me nor my daughter paid for it. My daughter traded our Sims-- the original version up to Vacation-- for a friend’s Photoshop 7. We do, in fact, have the manual. I don’t know where ole **squee** got the idea we didn’t. So now we can return to the great ideas and resources that you all have been giving me. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/19 "2005-04-19T15:28:39Z")
Back to the OP: Photoshop is very powerful, and can be very intimidating. So here are some tips to start with: 1. Become familiar with the “History”. This is one of the most powerful features of PS. Namely, you can back up (several steps) to “undo” the last changes. From the menu bar, do “Windows” and make sure “History” is checked. If it is, then you should see a window with a History “tab”. As you make changes, the steps will appear in the list. You can back up. But also you can jump back and then forward to compare “before and after”. Extremely useful. 2. Lots of stuff that I do involves merely fixing or tweaking images. Play around (and BTW, just playing around is the best way to learn the tool) with Image-\>Adjustments-\> Brightness/contrast, Color Balance, or Hue/Saturation for starters. 3. Once you get familiar with basic tweaking, next you’ll want to only apply such adjustments to only parts of images. And this is where “selection” comes in. Start out with the Rectangle Marquee Tool for rectangular selection or the Lasso tool for other shapes. These may not be the easiest to select what you want, but they’re a good starting place. Once you make a selection, then any adjustments will only be applied to the selected area. 4. It sounds like you’ve already figured out the bandaid tool. Similar to that is the “rubber stamp tool”. Probably my favorite tool of the bunch. Important Note: There are a number of different ways to accomplish the same or similar results in Photoshop. So you may read seemingly conflicting tutorials or tips on how to go about doing something. It’s worthwhile trying each, and then eventually you’ll end up using the technique that you’re most comfortable with. Second note: I just finished taking a 5 session “Adult ed.” course on PS. And even after having played with it for a couple years, I figure I tripled my knowledge from the class. So it is worthwhile to take an intro class. (I did pick up some things on tutorials, but could never just sit down with a book and plow through it). Hope this helps. Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984/20 "2005-04-19T16:20:01Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > To answer the question-- No, neither me nor my daughter paid for it. My daughter traded our Sims-- the original version up to Vacation-- for a friend’s Photoshop 7. We do, in fact, have the manual. OK, then, it seems I made an improper assumption. In my defense, I have seen quite a few threads, even on the SDMB, where folks have asked, “I just got \. What can I do with it?” They’d downloaded it off the internet, and wanted help because they had no manual. I know this happens all the time, but I work in the software industry and it frankly pisses me off. In any case, I’m sorry I was accusatory, but to me this certainly sounded exactly like one of those threads. My apologies to you. [/hijack] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-photoshop-7-what-kind-of-fun-can-a-knownothing-have-before-lessons-are-needed/299984.md?page=2)