Photoshop too complex for you? There is hope!

Afternoon Thoughts, or Zoned Out? Boulder, Colorado, 2012

Last year I attended a workshop at which I heard Cole Thompson’s presentation on his B&W photography philosophy and technique. At the time, I was marveling at the depth and complexity of the Photoshop editing program and wondering if I had enough years left in my life to learn all it had to offer. The post-processing issue seemed to be such a huge elephant in the road for me.

Cole, though, gave me hope. His work was and is quite impressive yet he said he only knew a total of about six basic operations in Photoshop. He had a very clear artistic vision and a well-defined personal style, so he simply learned what he needed to know in Photoshop in order to transform the captured image into what he had pre-visualized as its final form.

Wow! Talk about relief…I was saved! It clicked, and I saw that it was perfectly possible to create powerful images and be as nearly clueless as Mr. Magoo with Photoshop. It was all about the vision, the final image. Now, I don’t worry too much when I realize I use only .001% of the potential of that program. I have learned what works for me now and, as I grow, I’ll learn new things as I need to when confronted with the necessity. Eventually, I’ll probably get pretty good at it–in maybe ten years or so!

At this point, you may ask, does one really need the full up Photoshop program? Good point. Excellent point, actually. It may very well be that Adobe Elements or even Lightroom or Aperture would be sufficient for my personal needs. For many other photographers that might also be the case, especially if they are just starting out. However, I have learned my way around Photoshop, I am comfortable with it, and I like the idea of having that huge capability available if I happen to run into something I really, really need to do. After all, Photoshop is pretty much the King Kong of all the post-processing programs.

So, I have learned, don’t sweat what you don’t know. Keep creating, keep post-processing those images in whatever program you have as best you can, and if you find yourself needing to learn a new technique in post in order to execute your vision, the information is probably a few clicks away in a YouTube video or on some photography forum–or just ask the Photoshop expert at the local camera club!