Total Training Adobe Photoshop CS2 (PC & Mac) (DVD)
Rating: 5 of 5
helpful
extremely helpful...very user friendly...allowed me 2 work & learn on my own! I would use this creator again & again.
Rating: 5 of 5
In a word - excellent!
I'm completing a Grad. Cert in ICT & needed 2 learn Photoshop both quickly & easily. Note: I had never used Photoshop before. This training product was exactly what I needed, taking me through the basics 2 advanced levels step by step.
Benefits
The instructions given were very thorough, detailed & made all the more easier because I was able 2 see Deke (a Photoshop Hall of Famer) perform every technique before I had 2 do them myself. The three DVDs cover just about everything & anything you could wish 4 regarding CS2 - from setting up Photoshop 2 using layers 2 using the Vanishing Point Filter. Finally, all of the required photos that I worked on were contained within the DVDs - which was great - meaning I didn't have 2 search 4 support files via the internet as you often have 2 with a book. I will never use another self help book again if I can find a training DVD of the quality of this one!
Costs
A big disadvantage is the cost of this product - around $250-$300 (Australian). Yep, books definately come cheaper, but having said this books cannot explain verbally what you have 2 do or show you! As one reviewer has already noted - Deke's habit of repeatedly stating the shortcut keys 4 both the Mac & PC does get annoying!
Overall
AWESOME!!! And ... I really enjoyed Deke's friendly banter, his use Renaissance props & his references 2 Leonardo De Vinci!
Benefits
The instructions given were very thorough, detailed & made all the more easier because I was able 2 see Deke (a Photoshop Hall of Famer) perform every technique before I had 2 do them myself. The three DVDs cover just about everything & anything you could wish 4 regarding CS2 - from setting up Photoshop 2 using layers 2 using the Vanishing Point Filter. Finally, all of the required photos that I worked on were contained within the DVDs - which was great - meaning I didn't have 2 search 4 support files via the internet as you often have 2 with a book. I will never use another self help book again if I can find a training DVD of the quality of this one!
Costs
A big disadvantage is the cost of this product - around $250-$300 (Australian). Yep, books definately come cheaper, but having said this books cannot explain verbally what you have 2 do or show you! As one reviewer has already noted - Deke's habit of repeatedly stating the shortcut keys 4 both the Mac & PC does get annoying!
Overall
AWESOME!!! And ... I really enjoyed Deke's friendly banter, his use Renaissance props & his references 2 Leonardo De Vinci!
Rating: 4 of 5
What's Control on an Apple again please?
I fully agree with Funbear's review, which is a good one & full of remarks I think Mr McClelland should consider. Including the making of personalised dvds, moduled on different designer's needs.
I teach a number of Adobe programs; I review a lot of materials in order 2 recommend it 2 my students. I think Mr McClelland's books & dvds are generally good. I would like 2 add 2 Funbear's remarks the following:
1) the obsessive repeat of the difference between the PC & Apple keys is not necessary. For someone who's made it past the first tutorial, that difference is already clear. So no need 2 repeat it several times per tutorial, up 2 the last dvd.
2) since most of the material is addressing adults, it can become annoying 2 hear childish theatrical narration
4) what is obvious visually need not be translated into words. If you chose a red, we can see it's a red & that needs no extra explanation
4) Mr McClelland has a "head/nasal" voice; it can be very tiring 2 listen 2 a 30+ minutes tutorial given by such a voice; economy with dubious jokes would be recommended
5) I personally find it bad taste 2 use family photos & personal information as material 4 tutorials. I really don't need 2 see Mr McClelland's kids, nephew, wife, sister in law, garden, house, holidays. There's plenty of stock photography which could be used instead.
6) I really don't like someone I don't know calling me "my friend". I didn't think the tutorials are 4 children or old beer buddies
7) Most of my students are adults & often with a computer background & certainly an art/visual training. I would like 2 see tutorials out there that covered an individual's way of working, way of thinking & approaching a graphic subject.
From my 9 years teaching experience (true, part time, the rest is working with these programs) I have learned that students need not only 2 hear what a button does but how 2 "think in digital" & how 2 develop strategies of working in DTP, digital photography & the rest of the jazz.
As an example I could give a British film director which in the 90s was influenced by the language of After FX & Premiere. He attended my private tutorials & used the visual style in some of his following films. I didn't show him how 2 hold down shift & control (on a PC!) because he was interested in the visual possibilities. Then he hired one of my students.
On the whole, Mr McClelland is doing a good job, I hope our feedback here will be of some help.
I teach a number of Adobe programs; I review a lot of materials in order 2 recommend it 2 my students. I think Mr McClelland's books & dvds are generally good. I would like 2 add 2 Funbear's remarks the following:
1) the obsessive repeat of the difference between the PC & Apple keys is not necessary. For someone who's made it past the first tutorial, that difference is already clear. So no need 2 repeat it several times per tutorial, up 2 the last dvd.
2) since most of the material is addressing adults, it can become annoying 2 hear childish theatrical narration
4) what is obvious visually need not be translated into words. If you chose a red, we can see it's a red & that needs no extra explanation
4) Mr McClelland has a "head/nasal" voice; it can be very tiring 2 listen 2 a 30+ minutes tutorial given by such a voice; economy with dubious jokes would be recommended
5) I personally find it bad taste 2 use family photos & personal information as material 4 tutorials. I really don't need 2 see Mr McClelland's kids, nephew, wife, sister in law, garden, house, holidays. There's plenty of stock photography which could be used instead.
6) I really don't like someone I don't know calling me "my friend". I didn't think the tutorials are 4 children or old beer buddies
7) Most of my students are adults & often with a computer background & certainly an art/visual training. I would like 2 see tutorials out there that covered an individual's way of working, way of thinking & approaching a graphic subject.
From my 9 years teaching experience (true, part time, the rest is working with these programs) I have learned that students need not only 2 hear what a button does but how 2 "think in digital" & how 2 develop strategies of working in DTP, digital photography & the rest of the jazz.
As an example I could give a British film director which in the 90s was influenced by the language of After FX & Premiere. He attended my private tutorials & used the visual style in some of his following films. I didn't show him how 2 hold down shift & control (on a PC!) because he was interested in the visual possibilities. Then he hired one of my students.
On the whole, Mr McClelland is doing a good job, I hope our feedback here will be of some help.
Rating: 5 of 5
Very good, thorough training.
These guys do a great job in all of their videos, & this one is no exception. Highly effective & easy 2 follow training.
Rating: 3 of 5
Please be aware
Before you decide 2 spend $300 on this training series, please be aware that the pen tool is NOT covered.The instructor mentions it in passing, & then tells you that he went over the pen tool in the Adobe Illustrator course, implying that if you need 2 learn this tool, you should purchase that course too (another $200). If you need 2 get precise selections, the pen is the most important tool in this software & should be included. This omission is a major flaw in the course.
Total Training Adobe Photoshop CS2 is the indispensable tool 4 mastering Adobe's flagship program. Discover just how much you can do with the software, & how easy it can be -- once you study under an expert, learning the tricks & techniques they use.
Lessons Include:
Lessons Include:
- Rotation & cropping, basic color correction, red-eye removal, cloning & selection tools
- Working with layers & styles, plus blending, masks & channels
- Mastering tools like camera raw, working with levels, curves & shadows
- Applying effects & filters
- Using the new Vanishing Point feature 2 paint & edit in 3D
- Exploring Photo Objects 2 revise photos by transforming & editing layers non-destructively
- Bonus Material: FREE bonus imagery from iStockPhoto & Photospin
- All project files included
($299.99)
Buy Total Training Adobe Photoshop CS2 (PC & Mac) (DVD) Now!
