Sunday, June 21, 2009

Help!!!!


I have major problems! Well okay maybe not major but I have issues. I've wanted Photoshop for a really really really long time. I see what everyone does with their photos out there and I have longed and dreamed of being able to work the same magic with mine. I was absolutely estatic when I got it for Mothers Day this year..I got Elements which was exactly what I wanted since I knew that digging deep into the full version would be way too much for me to start with. So I loaded it onto my computer and now I have no freakin idea what in the hell to do with it. I've played and played some more and I'm lost....it is like a complete maze and I have no idea where to start. So that's where you all come in...well those of you that edit and use photoshop I suppose. I'm begging...down on my knees begging for help. I'll do anything...well almost anything for you :) but I need help. Is there like a Photoshop for Dummies out there or something? Or something I'm just missing...surely it can't be this difficult. I started trying to edit this picture last night...I took it of Allie outside the other day...one of the main things I wanted to do with it was to brighten her eyes up alittle..the way the sun was made her eyes appear alot darker than they are...those of you that follow me know that she has the brightest most beautiful blue eyes ever and they just don't look that way in this picture. I want to try and get the shadows off her face and I just want it to be beautiful...of course she's beautiful without editing but I can't figure it out. I got so mad at it last night I almost said very dirty things to Photoshop. So here I am pleading for help...give me all the tips you've got and I'll be in debt forever to you!

21 comments:

Catherine said...

Stephanie! I'll do anything I can to help you. It gets easier. Go on to utube and search out tutorials for elements. I learned a ton on there. You can get really specific when you are searching... like "sharpen or brighten eyes". I also bought the book photoshop elements for dummies (I think all my books are for dummies : ))
Email me with specific questions b/c it's a ton of information. I have the full version now, but I started with elements.

Stacy said...

Girl I can not figure out how to even upload a picture onto my Photoshop..lol. I def. need a class.

Tanya said...

I started with I ♥ Faces tutorials, if you can follow one of those all the way through, even if you don't get everything right away, just follow the steps, it will teach you tons.

McCrakensx4 said...

I know what you mean; I am a total novice when it comes to editing photos. I can't wait to visit MiMi this summer; I am hoping she will help me! I need to be able to see it being done! I am so excited to be able to learn and use it! Good luck...sorry I was not of any help!

Jill @ Sneaky Momma said...

It's so complicated. :(
I familiarized myself with some of it by following a video tutorial (http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/tutorials/LaurieGarzaVideoTutorials/first_lo_pse/first_lo_pse.html) at the Shabby Princess on how to make a digital scrapbooking page. The tutorial doesn't teach you anything to do with photos, but it is a great resource for learning what certain buttons do.
Anytime I need help, I can almost always find what I need by doing a google search for it, including 'PSE' in my search.
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

If you want to e-mail me what you want to do, I'll tell you step by setp. That's how I learned. Luckily, my mentor in Photography held my hand and walked me thruogh! Also, you can google a lot of tips and find a lot of information. My e-mail is open any time though!

Not your Happily Ever After said...

I don't have photo shop. It would be a waste of money for me. I can get a picture taken and loaded on the computer. that's it. No more. no less

momstheword said...

Thank you for your sweet comments!

Sorry but I don't have a clue how to do it. I just upload my pictures and hope for the best.

My hubby is the one that has helped me cut things out, etc.

Stephanie said...

Hooray - I finally got your blog to load for me! Now I wish it wasn't so late at night so I could read more of your posts ;) I wish I could help you with the Photoshop question, but I don't have it either. I downloaded Paint.net...and have no idea how to use that either! Well, hope you are doing well - thanks for all your sweet comments on my blog. Hopefully I'll be able to comment on your blog more often now.

More Than Words said...

I am sorry I am no help!! LOL..I don't even have Photoshop!

But, your post made me laugh!

Drew said...

Don't get overwhelmed. Use the help menu right within Elements. There are also tons of tutorials online. Take it a step at a time, and don't get mad that you don't figure it out all at once. Honestly, Photoshop Elements is quite a hefty program and takes some time to figure out. I bought a book by Scott Kelby for Photoshop Elements. That was very informational and easy to follow. I also bought some instructional videos which weren't much of a help because I knew most of what was covered already by the time I bought them. If you're ever at a loss, e-mail me. I'd be happy to help. (mriley1 at neo dot rr dot com)

Yay for finally installing the program! :)

Drew said...

Me again! :) I also wanted to mention that Allie's eyes aren't going to show to their full potential because of the shadows over her eyes. Sunlight is about impossible to work with. If you get the opportunity, try taking a photo of Allie outside in a shaded area. Make sure it's not an area that leaves blotchy light on her face. It should be an area that gets good light, but it isn't directly on her face. This will really help make her eyes pop.

Check out this tutorial on "open shade": http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2008/08/open-shade-is-your-best-friend/

Drew said...

I just found out about a totally free class that is being offered starting July 6th. You have to register this week, though, if you want to take the class. I just signed up. It sounds like it is going to be extremely helpful.

The link is: http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=976:free-photo-editing-class&catid=1:latest&Itemid=148#comments

Cassie said...

Sorry I can't help, I have no idea how to use photoshop. I use www.picnik.com, it's free and really easy to use, though you can't do all of the stuff that you can do on photoshop of course. But it's easy, so I'm sticking to that!

Julie said...

I got it too & just installed it the other day. I am SO lost! I have a book to help me with it. I know they make tons of them. I'm not sure if I'm going to have time to actually READ the book though! LOL!

Good luck!

Alicia W. said...

Girl, I know what you mean! I downloaded the PSE for 30 days and had such a hard time with it. I ended up going with a different program. My best advise to you is go through as many tutorials online that you can .. google them and even go on You tube. Good luck love.

Five Moms & A Blog said...

I'm totally agreeing with you on the Photoshop thing. I wanted it so badly, got it, and then the complexity of it scared me away. I can't "get it", so I quit trying. Yet still I see what others are able to do with it, and I'm jealous. Let's go take a class together! Might be fun!!!

~Erica

PS - I'm so glad my kids are past the stage of having to watch their every move around water. I've heard too many horror stories. Glad your little one was okay.

Vicky said...

I can't help you either. My hubby is a photographer and knows photoshop inside and out, but he doesn't have the patience or time to walk me through things until I am comfortable with them... so I use picnik instead, for now. Its free and easy and does basic things. But it looks like you got some great tips so hopefully that will help :)

Drew said...

Okay..where's your I Heart Faces entry? :) I'm making my rounds and just know you have a great one with all the boys in your family.

Mocha Momma said...

Hello Stephanie,
I just came here through momstheword. Your blog page is so cute.

Your kids are verrry cute.

Sorry I'm no help with any computer related things, but I hope you'll find help. Maybe Erica @ scottsville, she's good.

Have a nice day tomorrow,
Nannette

Veronica said...

Boy, I've missed a lot on your blog lately. I have been so behind on my blog reading. Looks like a few people had some good suggestions. Sorry, but I am not one of them. I am terrible with figuring things like that out. Maybe one day?!?!