Photo retouching

[raphael2040]

I've been thinking about it for a while, but I've finally decided to start learning how to retouch photos in Photoshop. I just want to know if there's anyone here who's ever done retouching. If there is, what's the learning curve? Ar there any particular sites/tutorials I could use to help me start up?

Cheers!

[chrisbard]

Heya, been playing with all sorts of programs PS inclusive.

You might find this helpful. Learning Photoshop 7 - Online Training Library - lynda.com

And here's the learning curve not retouched:

[booman]

Photoshop is great for fixing photos or even improving them. The learning curve is pretty high due to the options and flexibility of Photoshop. I have been using Photoshop Elements for the last 6 years because I can't drop $800 on a program. But Elements has some great features to become familiar with Photoshop. Its usually around $100. Otherwise, download Paint Dot Net for free. It has many "plug-in's" where you can do some effects or edit photos. This may be a good place to start with Photo Editing because its free.
Photoshop CS3 is the professional route to take if you are planning to use CMYK printing and high resolution printing. There are plenty of amazing tools to make any photo perfect. I've actually created scenes from superimposing photos on top of eachother.

[danrok]

Edited with Digital Photo Professional - free from Canon website, comes with camera.

That's what I use 95% of the time. I wouldn't advise using anything else, if you have a Canon D-SLR, unless you need to do any funky creative editing.

Editing software won't fix crap photos, no matter how much it cost. So, the first step is to learn how to use your camera, and take good photos, before even thinking about doing clever post-editing tricks.

The trouble with Photoshop and its vast array of features, is that you can waste hours on end, fiddling, and achieving nothing.

Also, it is very easy to destroy a perfectly good photo, unless you know how to use editing software correctly.

[booman]

Good Point Danrok. The only time (I repeat, ONLY time) I use Photoshop to create photos is when I can't find a photo of something very specific. For example, I had a client who wanted a picture of a Turn of the Century ship in a storm with rain, lightning, and crashing waves. I look online for a long time and found some that were similar but didn't have all of those elements.
So I had to use different pictures of waves, clouds and a boat. Then superimposed them together and used some brushwork to blend them. It wasn't as perfect as a real photo, but you couldn't tell that I copy/paste them together unless I told you.

But I agree completely about using your camera. A lot of people think that purchasing a $2000 camera will automatically create beautiful pictures, but its the artist behind that camera that will learn to use lighting, balance, color and timing to capture the beauty.
That is why I purchased a tri-pod and take it everywhere my camera goes.
By the way, check out my small portfolio: Brianinthered at morguefile.com