Well, I've technically been a..

photographer since was 11.. I had a professional camera at 11, had my own darkroom at 16, worked for the local newspaper and TV station and was head photographer of Coyote annual staff and newspaper.. so, I have a LOT of darkroom experience and much of it transferred right into photoshop..

I agree - I HATE those filters everyone uses that make them look like Barbie Dolls with plastic skin.. so weird looking.. that's the key to air-brushing lines and blemishes and whatnot - don't over do it.. just lessen the issue - don't completely hide it cuz that's unnatural..

I could send you a few pointers anytime you like.. honestly, there's maybe ten tools tops that I use in photoshop.. the rest are really for doing graphics, not photo editing.. its not that complicated.. it CAN be depending on what you're doing, but if you can dodge, burn, color correct, liquify, rubber stamp, and air brush you can pretty much get nagged as much as I do after every social gathering lol

As you know, I'm also a big video editing guy, but I always stick with Adobe After Effects.. reason being, I'm an Adobe Flash (now called Animate) Ninja and After Effects is sorta similar to Flash in how its set up..

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Friendship is like peeing your pants.. Everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth..