PHOTOSHOP® USER

Text Copyright Mark Graf

For anyone that has just started using Photoshop, or has been using the program for a while, knows that it is a program of many depths and layers (no pun intended). As the industry standard imaging program in the world, it is by far the most written about and most taught. Go too deep, and you are destined to become a Photoshop junkie, there is no turning back!

I have been using Photoshop since about version 2.0, upgrading periodically since then. Adobe has made more than their fair share of money on me in upgrade costs! I still consider myself to be a beginning to intermediate user. The program is simply worth it though. I have also invested in a few third party books to help learn more about this deceivingly complex program. No matter what tool you learn to use, there are usually 10 other aspects of it that you didn't even know about!

Despite the various books, and there are several very good ones, I have probably learned the most from being a member of NAPP. (Click here to visit their site) ->

 

NAPP stands for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. True Photoshop geekdom at its best. Aside from holding seminars and an annual Photoshop convention, one of the biggest benefits of being a member is a subscription to their magazine, "Photoshop User."

This magazine is published bi-monthly and is full of very useful articles on everything from digital imaging, printers, to step-by-step procedures on how to use many different features in Photoshop and create various graphic elements. It is printed on a very high quality, heavy, gloss paper stock - something you don't find in many magazines these days. It certainly looks pretty sexy graphically, and being a Photoshop magazine, it lives up to its name. Of course you get sneak peaks and very detailed reviews of all the upcoming releases of the program, useful plug-ins, and other snippets. Every issue usually features a user gallery demonstrating just what a Photoshop nitwit you really are. (Really, there is some beautiful artwork produced here.)

In addition to the magazine, NAPP also produces a series of educational videos produced by their experts. You usually get a freebee or two just from joining. I tend to like that Photoshop User is in a magazine format. The articles are short and easy to read in a sitting, and the tutorials are very easy to follow along and nicely illustrated.

Ok, so there is a catch to all this - you do have to be a member, and it doesn't come very cheap. Membership dues are $99/year, which are somewhat on the high side. However, I usually compare this to an organization like NANPA, who charges roughly the same amount, and a rather primitive newsletter when compared to Photoshop User, and certainly nowhere near the educational offerings in videos, books, etc. If you are selling your work, the membership fee is an easy tax deduction for professional associations. They also offer numerous member discounts on other imaging software and books, making it easy to recoup your membership fee in savings.

Photoshop User magazine certainly has the potential to turn you into one of those junkies. At the very least, it helps demystify some of this very powerful imaging tool. You can join NAPP, or simply learn more, by visiting www.photoshopuser.com.