At the start of his Photoshop CS4 training video series on Lynda.com, Chris Orwig makes a savvy pedagogical move by suggesting some critical, if basic (and underappreciated) tips on note taking while engaged in video learning. These are great, as we all know how easy is it to watch a training video, say “Ah ha!,” and then quickly forget what had us saying “Ah ha!”
To get the most out Photoshop video training, Orwig suggests:
Take Screen Grabs
Orwig points out that screen grab functionality allows us to take great, instant electronic notes from videos.
Mac users can simply just press “Shift + Command + 4,” then drag and capture. For PC users, it’s as simple as hitting the “Print Screen Button.” On Macs, the files land on the desktop as small “png” files. On PCs, the files do something very similar (but I can’t check fact what that is right now).
• Put them in a folder: Because I quickly ended up with a whole bunch of screen grabs cluttering my screen, I simply placed each set from each lesson in its own folder. The automatic numbering keeps them in order, making them easy to scroll through — when reviewing solo or in conjunction with handwritten notes.
• “Deconstruct” screen grabs with notes: Orwig shares that in his “own educational workflow” he sometimes – but not always – prints out screen grabs. He then “deconstructs” what he is seeing (such as why a given panel is arranged the way it is) and then adds handwritten notes. Nice idea!
Write Shortcuts in a Small Notebook
In addition to keeping large notebooks with all our PS CS4 learning notes, Orwig suggests we keep a small notebook dedicated just to recording PS CS4 shortcuts. This is a simple, but great idea.
We all know how critical shortcuts are, but I admit that mine are scattered around my workspace on various sheets and, of course, on scores of PostIts. Not such a great idea.
Orwig explains that he picked up this learning trick while learning Spanish in Madrid. (Cool!) He carried around a small book with him at all times, and this was dedicated just to new vocabulary. And, sure, just like vocab is the foundation of any language, shortcuts are the foundation of “speaking” with Photoshop.
I haven’t put together my small shortcut notebook yet, but I will, and this will my “Mini Bible” while my larger PS notebooks will serve as my “Reference Works.”
Take Notes in an “Authentic” Manner
Orwig also encourages us to have fun learning Photoshop, and he insists that one way to do so (to educational benefit) is look for ways to take notes in an “authentic” manner.
By way of example, Orwig shares the stunning notes of Ella Boehm, marvelously drawn and colored. He points out that we don’t have to go to Boehm’s level, and frankly, this is a major relief. While beautiful, I find Boehm’s notes overwhelming to contemplate making. I’m trying to lean a program, after all!
Nonetheless, Orwig’s sharing of Boehm’s notes is helpful. It reminds me that, like it or not, my Photoshop learning will never stop, and so part of being a photographer is having good and enjoyable ways of taking notes. I’m not going to get out colored pencil’s like Boehm did, but I’m going to take Orwig’s advice to heart, as well as Boehm’s example, and work on finding ways to take notes in a manner more “authentic” to me and my Photoshop goals.
Thanks Chris!!!
These learning points may or may not seem simple to you, but they got me thinking. Regardless, I really appreciated Orwig’s attention to addressing these issues right up front in his training. It is a great instructor who not only teaches lucidly (which he does!) but who addresses the very process of learning.