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Looking for online reference source


Newmarket2

Newmarket2

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I'm sure I'm missing something, but I've had a lot of trouble getting information about all the various settings and options in PS.
I know I can buy books and DVDs and sign up for tutorials on sites like Lynda.com and I probably should.
But the way I normally work is to try to figure it out myself, use the HELP that comes with the program, search on Google, and (starting now) use Fora when I'm stuck or have questions best answered by sentient humans.
But, I've found in a few cases recently that the official HELP doesn't really cover everything. Or, I haven't found it.
My current example is Soft Proofing. I'm two weeks away from my first gallery show (!I'm excited!) and I'm working with a lab and I've progressed to downloading their ICC profile and doing soft proofing in PS. But, there are a ton of options and setting in the Customize Proof Condition window.
So, yes, I can use this forum, but I'd rather start with a reference source and then come to the forum for validation or more complex, 2nd order questions.
Just post a URL or tell me I'm wasting my time and buy a book.
 
Photoshop I assume?

You can get a 7 day free trial at Lynda.com
lynda.com Online Training Library® | Trial Subscription

No need for financial information just you're name and address.
The trial doesn't roll over into a subscription it just cancels out unless you enter financial info.
You have access to the whole Lynda.Com library including thousands of PS videos lessons, and they're excellent.
 
beat me to it Steve...........Lynda.com excellent resource
 
I have found YouTube to be quite good when looking to do things, but I have also used Revision3 > PixelPerfect > All Episodes, the guy has stoped doing the show, but like he says, this just shows you how to do thing, you don't have to do every thing he dose.
 
Thanks. Clearly there ARE lots of wonderful tutorials.

But, to me, a reference and a tutorial are not the same thing.

Maybe a book?
 
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Thanks for the input, but I was really hoping for something much more specific.
Yeah, O'Reilly media has a lot of material. Too much. And, it's not cheap. So, Gaussian, are you able to recommend a particular book that is more reference than tutorial?
And, iDad, what the heck to you mean "Adobe"? The local help that came with CS5 is really superficial. "Adobe" is like saying "Manhattan" when I ask for a restaurant recommendation! Can you point to a URL that might help? I've been working my way through Adobe TV's "Learn Photoshop CS5" and they are great tutorials....really excellent and free....but not references.
If you think there aren't any, and you're confident in that opinion - just say so. I'll stop looking.
Oh, and if you don't know what I mean when I say that tutorials and references are different, I can easily elaborate.
 
elaborate away, you say specific, specific to what?Soft Proofing? Steve posted some pretty good info on that
 
It really depends on your intended use for Photoshop. A reference book for photographers would be different than a reference book for graphic designers. Fortunately there is a lot to choose from.

The defacto reference book has usually been Oriely's Photoshop Missing Manual series, although I can't say I have even looked at the one for CS5.

Here's a link:
Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual - O'Reilly Media
 
Yutosi - I'm a photographer.
I "found" The Missing Manual because it seems to be O'Reilly's top CS seller.
Are there any other alternatives you could suggest that I look at?
Thanks!
 
Just read some reviews of The Missing Manual and other than the glowing one that is word-for-word in both the O'Reilly and Amazon reviews, there are some negative reviews suggesting this is NOT the best source for photographers.
Unfortunately, I can't find a way to ask or post a question of those who reviewed it negatively - as to if they have found something better.
One criticism was that it had lots of back/forth references. This might indicate that it is more of a reference than tutorial, which is what I'm looking for.
Comments?
 
Newmarket2 said:
.......... I can't find a way to ask or post a question of those who reviewed it negatively - as to if they have found something better.
One criticism was that it had lots of back/forth references. This might indicate that it is more of a reference than tutorial, which is what I'm looking for.
Comments?
Click to expand...
Yes, go to Barns and Noble and decide for yourself.
I checked and it's in stock at most stores.

Central NJ Barnes & Noble - Store Inventory: Inventory Results

While you're there you can check out the rest of the books on the subject.
Try your local library, they are probably linked to a dozen other libraries.
 
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