1. Introduction

Photoshop is a very overwhelming program the first time you open it. The tools which are only a click or two away right as you start the program will allow you edit or create any type of image accessible through Windows or Mac interfaces. It is easy to quickly become frustrated with the program because it has such power. Throughout the years that I have been working with this program there are many times when I had to step back and take a break. Struggle is inherent in learning. In these guides I will do my very best to impart to you as much knowledge as I can in the simplest way possible.
I started learning how to work with Photoshop almost eight years ago in a high school web developing class. I have loved and used the program ever since. I have tried alternative drawing programs such as the GIMP, but found that while they offered enough tools for the average image editor, there were not enough specific tools I required. I am all for free open-source software, but in my honest opinion Photoshop is the best image editor available.
The main struggle I had with Photoshop was trying to figure out how to learn to use its tools as I would like to use them. I tried looking around on the internet and found many helpful guides on www.deviantart.com or www.good-tutorials.com, but I could not find a clear, easy-to-use, and organized set of tutorials. That is my motivation for making these guides. While you can surely find all of this information elsewhere, it will either take a great deal of effort searching through websites or finding a reliable book you can trust, which are often the size of telephone books. I will use clear pictures and step-by-step instructions to teach the knowledge I have on how to use this program.