Newbie- Photoshop

[Cherry Cyanide]

Hi all. I'm a newbie to pinup. MY initial photos will be very novice, taken by my roommate. Neither of us have any experience with pinup photoshoots.

My question is Do I need to invest in photoshop software to "clean up" the pictures when we're done?

[Joe Janz]

Photoshop is a definate YES! I agree with it being a difficult learning curve too. Along with the podcasts (great suggestion by the way) there is also, tv.adobe.com great website for tips and tricks, there is also a bunch of turtorials that come with the program and are online. Lastly . . .Photoshop, Classroom in a book. It is a series of tutorials, all step by step in a book full instructions and even a CD of resources. Might help bend that learning curve back in your direction. And Yes, I do all my work with a Wacom drawing tablet too. I have Carpal tunnel in both my hands from working on the computer for the past 20+ years, and the pen and tablet help me work so much longer than a mouse does! Great investment.

[Lilly F Elliott]

There was life on earth before computers?! LOL. Seriously I agree, the tablet makes all the difference. I dont even have a mouse anymore I switched to a track-ball and a tablet when editing my last stopmotion film because of the pain in my wrist. Now I can work not only better but also longer.

richie/rockabilly richie{PLA} said:

Everyone has their own preference on which software works best for them. Same for their choice of PC or MC. But, I disagree about the tablet. I was a photo retoucher for many years before the computer came along. Airbrushing is an indispensable tool in photo-retouching. I found it very awkward and cumbersome doing this with a mouse. If you have never used a tablet you owe it to yourself to try one.

mrjynx said:

No you do not need photoshop. and you certainly dont need a tablet.
Photoshop is hideously overpriced for what it is.
Id say about 70% of people on the internet, havent even paid for it. theyve just pirated it.

whilst it is the industry standard, its not needed, there are free alternatives.
theres gimp as has been mentioned, and theres paint.net
http://www.getpaint.net/screenshots.html
My preference is paint.net but theyre both essentially the same thing, they let you do the same thing, & can do all the things you would need to "adjust" your photos as a photographer or pin up.

tablets are only needed for drawing (theyre not even needed) you`ll never need one for touching things up.

most settings just involve moving sliders to adjust colours and lights and darks.

the only other tricks would be bluring skin to remove blemishes.

you dont need to spend hundreds or thousands to do all this, nor do you need a mac.

and certainly dont pay for any tutoring, all the informations free on the net.