Expert: Kamal Krishna - 8/2/2011

Question
Hi Kamal,

I have been learning by myself on photoshop 7.0 (I know its ancient version :-))))  )
I would like to ask you, the best things to learn and is it possible to make a living from photoshop? I have dabbled in dreamweaver and built one or 2 websites, not great, but ok...but I want to concentrate on one thing, not jack of all trades, but good at one thing :-))))
How do I become certified and what would that entitle me to do?

thank you

Carol

Answer
Hi Carol,
sorry for the delayed response.

With Photoshop learning is one thing and then practicing is the other part. For any desired effect there are multiple ways of doing it in photoshop, it depends on your skill level or the way you are comfortable. So its all about practice, there are plenty of tutorials online which can help you learn a lot of photoshop. eg. http://psd.tutsplus.com/

When it comes to career, photoshop is used in almost all of the various creative fields. Like graphic designing, web designing, broadcast graphics, motion graphics, gaming UI, digital paintings.. etc etc. So you have to pick one you are interested in. But again in all of the fields photoshop is used as a combination with another tool. So just mastering photoshop is good, but if you learn other tools its a bonus.
Let me explain: Graphic design: photoshop + illustrator, Web designing: Photoshop + dreamweaver, motion graphics: Photoshop +  After effects... so it goes.

Getting Certified in photoshop is good as per theory, the certificate has two used 1) If you want to be a Photoshop instructor 2) Looks nice framed on wall. In the creative world no one asks for any certificates nor do they care. All they see is your portfolio and skill level.

hope i answered all your questions.

Do let me know if u need further assistance

- Kamal Krishna