For a long time, I’ve heard of the many fantastic functions that Adobe Photoshop provides, it was not until last week that I got my hands on it and began to really learn how to use it for myself. I was assigned to make a series of slates that would be

Photoshop is just like a cake; decorations need to be on different layers!
Photoshop is just like a cake; decorations need to be on different layers!

put into a video several times.  Each would have a special color gradient effect, and I felt RedEye is really an awesome place for introducing me to the ABCs of Photoshop.

They are patient and helpful. They won’t just assign a project without any useful instructions and guidance. They are willing to explain the basic concepts and functions of the software. My lessons began with some of the basic functions that are used to change the texts or adjust their fonts, positions, and colors. Then, she demonstrated how to finish the text by exporting it out as a file and inserting it into edit.

The first attempts  I sometimes got stucked at certain functions on Photoshop because I forgot to click on the canvas, or layer, I was working on.  RedEye’s wise and memorable analogies helped solve my confusion. They advised me to think about the project as layers of a cake, so whenever we want to add  more effects (like fruit or pudding), we need to make sure it goes above, below or on the layer we are working. Then, these decorations won’t get messed up (and so the effects won’t fail us in Photoshop).  I enjoyed her analogy. It’s simple and easy to remember!

Here are a few links for some great Photoshop tutorials: Lynda.com, CreativeCow.net, PhotoshopEssentials.com

But you can also find many tutorials for specific help on YouTube if you just search for it specifically by name.

Yating C.