super newbie question

best resources for learning more about photoshop? I have photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements (which has the editing too). I can retouch in terms of minor things (red eye, some airbrushing, have moved objects) - but is there a resource (book or online) to learn how to really harness that sucker? Or, forget it and go to a simpler program. The problem is that I don't want to relearn from scratch - I know my way around photoshop to what I'd say is equivalent to a "hunt and peck" typer.

but, it's frustrating - obviously. recommendations?

And, now, here's an example - warning, LOTS wrong with this picture but my general question is... is there ANY hope of fixing a picture if just generally out of focus?:
http://www.alexacorcoran.com/IMG_0018.JPG

Or no because sharpening is just going to destroy the image. In other words, you can change specific elements that are off in a picture but if the whole thing isn't clear at the fundamental level, it's over. Just curious - (obviously I could fix red eye but no point if picture is worthless.) Thanks -

Alexa

I ran Focus Magic OOF twice, and of course came up with artifacts, so I ran Redfield's Perfectum @ 75% and came up with this:



Large image here:

http://www.pbase.com/moonchaser/image/92217739/original.jpg

I'm sure the level of artifacts wouldn't be acceptable unless you had a shot you couldn't replace.

Cherilyn

Thanks! Any chance I could trouble you for a translation (or a link to where I can decipher)?

I can see all the artifacts but what you've done is exactly what I'm looking to do - my daughter (5) is taking her own pictures now on a Canon S70. This wasn't one of hers (obviously) but I typically get the overall blurry issue and am trying to learn how to fix it so she can bring her pictures to school.

Thx again -
Alexa

Used Cherylin's version



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Priscilla
http://www.pbase.com/priscillm

...in a point and shoot, particularly when used by a child or novice is very likely a degree of camera shake.. The camer takes quite a while to focus and execute the shot so it is very very important to hold completely still for about a second or so..rather than pushing the button, imagining the shot is taken and moving on..

hope this helps..

Also, while CS would be the last program i would recommend for a beginner due to its very steep learning curve and high price if you have CS, you should keep it. One of the distinct advantages of photoshop is the amount of books and tutorials available for it.. so you would be better off putting some hours into tutorials and practice than dumping it for (say) PSP x2

ian
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~ Being over-exposed can get you arrested ~

http://ramsden.smugmug.com/

Hey, thanks! I really appreciate it! I am amazed at what y'all can do and what I need to learn. I have Photoshop CS and probably use a minute number of features.

Is that the original size or did you size it down to make it clearer b/c it's not worth having bigger? Just wondering so I can save it. She'll (my daughter, Maeve) be dellighted.

I REALLY appreciate it. I think teacher her (and reminding myself) to stay still will be the biggest thing. Think I'll frame as freeze tag - stand as still as a statue and you'll catch them in the picture (and maybe tell her friends to be a statue too!)

Thank you again -
Alexa

I did not resize it. However, I don't think it would be very good at larger size.
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Priscilla
http://www.pbase.com/priscillm

No worries. I agree with the quality, it would't be worth it. And, I SO appreciate the touch ups you guys have done. I think the main issue should be holding still so all this work isn't needed, but I get now what the possiblities are. And, again, thank you so much for spending even 10 seconds fixing the pic!

Alexa

Such an adorable little girl. I couldn't help playing with the photo. I wish I had more photos of my 2 year old with a smile like that, I mostly have pictures of the back of his head as he runs away from me

I'm still not thrilled with the way the eyes came out, but after 5 hours of playing with it last night I'm calling it done Hope you don't mind me playing with it.

If you want me to email you the full size (cropped to 8x10) let me know. This one is sized to 1000 px across.

Ivette



100% crop to show detail:



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Priscilla
http://www.pbase.com/priscillm

You can do a lot with that picture besides red eye. Select the eyes and mouth area with the lasso and do a bit of USM on those areas will make a difference. Then you can select the background and slightly blur it to make the young girl appear sharper or go the other way and do a small amount of USM on the whole image. Of course a good crop (remember to change the resolution to 300) usually helps to make a photo stand out also. I might also suggest using elements color correction for skin tones in the enhance menu.

Good luck
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Geezer Mike

I replied before reading the other peoples replys and fixes for you so you have seen what can be done. You mentioned you had Elements, version 4 or above are excellent learing programs. You will find CS gets a lot easier if you spend some time with elements, besides those tools are all in CS. Look for any Scott Kelly Elements books and you will find detailed "how to" and they are enjoyable reads.

You have seen what others can do, now load you photo and make yours look better an theirs...have fun
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Geezer Mike

Oh my gosh - I hope you didn't spend that much time (or sacrifice much for doing it!) I love to see what it has become - I have NO idea how I'd do that!!! It looked like a painted art canvas!

Do you have settings saved so you could quickly do original? I just don't want you to spend MORE time than you already have! And, did you go off of one already retouched (since it was posted 8 x 10)?

original is here:
http://www.alexacorcoran.com/imG_0018.JPG

BUT, i'm very happy with this one and likely wouldn't do anything with it larger than 8 x 10 so I think it's great as is.

THANK YOU! You are so kind - and clearly 100x more skilled than I am. Hopefully with all this help, I can become better!

Alexa

Thanks to ALL of you guys for the suggestions and the actual retouching!!! I'm inspired to learn how to fix and do more myself. Thanks for the suggestions of resources - and I posted in the beginners board on how to learn more on the actual photo side so maybe they won't be blurry next time!

I am so impressed at how helpful everyone in these forums is - I really, really appreciate!

Alexa

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I have a 2 year old and sometimes I mean to do something in 5 minutes and it takes me 3 days to get to it

I'm glad you liked it and thank you for the compliment. I'm not sure skill is involved (I'm nowhere near the level of so many others here) but rather hours and hours and hours and years of playing with Photoshop. Obsessions can make you do strange things

Yes it did take me that much time, but I really enjoyed it. It honestly felt like it took 30 minutes until I looked at the clock. Don't get discouraged it only took me that long because I had no idea what I wanted to do to it so I just kept playing and playing with different things till I found one I liked.

I actually don't remember everything I did to it because I was playing for so long. But, I did work on you large size picture (I just posted a smaller size here) so you shouldn't have any trouble printing it large if you'd like. The only suggestion I have is not to print it on glossy paper, I don't think it will look right.

I had said in my post that I could email you the larger original size, but I don't see an email for you in your profile so I uploaded it here:

http://download.yousendit.com/430EA87D06793E7A

Just click where it says "Download Now"

I'm really happy you liked it

Ivette

akcorcoran said:

Oh my gosh - I hope you didn't spend that much time (or sacrifice
much for doing it!) I love to see what it has become - I have NO
idea how I'd do that!!! It looked like a painted art canvas!

Do you have settings saved so you could quickly do original? I just
don't want you to spend MORE time than you already have! And, did
you go off of one already retouched (since it was posted 8 x 10)?

original is here:
http://www.alexacorcoran.com/imG_0018.JPG

BUT, i'm very happy with this one and likely wouldn't do anything
with it larger than 8 x 10 so I think it's great as is.

THANK YOU! You are so kind - and clearly 100x more skilled than
I am. Hopefully with all this help, I can become better!

Alexa

Click to expand...

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