Taking the Plunge

[halesr]

I am trying to gear up because I think I want to join the PaD group. BUT, I have a bit of a twist. I have recently taken two Photoshop courses and I want to learn more about MAKING a photo instead of TAKING a photo. I want to master masking and compositing. I bought the Katrin Eismann book and I tried to get in her course at Lepp Institue, but it was full. I looked at other online course, but have not found anything that seems exactly like what I want to learn.

So, here is my idea. I am going to work through the exercises in the Masking and Compositing book and other PS tutorials that have peaked my interest. Then I will post the results of the exercises and hopefully a unique application on one of my own images. I am not sure if I will be able to do one a day. Will have to see how long each exercise takes plus work it in around the regular job.

I would like HONEST feedback/critiques on my work if you have the time and feel like doing this. This is sort of my self taught class. I hope this is an okay use for PaD. If not, just tell me to bug off. Oh, if you are interested I posted all the images I submitted for my most recent course. Comments greatfully accepted.
http://www.pbase.com/halesr/creative_photoshop_course_images

One thing about the assignments, you really did have to incorporate the technique each week so that sort of constrained what you were doing. I did learn a lot from the experience.

Thanks, Rene

[charette]

So, here is my idea. I am going to work through the exercises in the Masking and Compositing book and other PS tutorials that have peaked my interest. Then I will post the results of the exercises and hopefully a unique application on one of my own images. I am not sure if I will be able to do one a day. Will have to see how long each exercise takes plus work it in around the regular job.

This is sort of my self taught class. I hope this is an okay use for PaD. If not, just tell me to bug off.

Rene, there are a few PAD photographers that take more of a digital art approach to their PAD entries. Take a look at Sunny's gallery http://www.pbase.com/sunartique/sunartiques_digital_art
I tend to do a mix... digital art and straight photography. You'll find that different images styles attract different PADers who comment.

As far as receiving critiques... I have found that for the most part PADers will offer encouraging comments. Some PADers would prefer not to have critiques made in the comments section but given only in personal messages. You should indicate your desire for critiques in you PAD description, but don't be discouraged if you don't receive many critiques. Mostly it is a community of encouragers.

I hope you join...remember that your PAD is for you to explore what you want to do with photography. Cheers, LC

[gpaai]

I absolutely love Photoshop! I hardly post an image anymore unless I have given it the PS edge, hahaha. I have come to call it Photoshopography.

I anticipate seeing your work.

Gary

[clickaway]

Rene,

I would say one a day will be a tall order around your day job, so don't worry if you cannot achieve that.

But I'd love to see what you come up with - will you be notating your procedures down with each photo with a link to the original? That would be cool.

There does not seem to be much Photoshop advice here on PBase and I can only do the basics!

Ray

[halesr]

Ray, good idea. Usually when I post a PS image, I provide some information about what I was doing. Not really a step-by-step, but the various processes used. Or, if I found a tutorial on the web that I tried, I try to provide a link so others can give it a try too. BUT, I have never posted the original image too. I will try to do that. BUT, in this case, I am hoping to have lots of pieces/parts that I pull together into a final image, but maybe I could have little bits in ONE image that show the pieces I used.

thanks for your thoughts on this idea--Rene