Try to be very clear and specific about what you want to do
making it nice or better is likely what you want, but there never will
be software to understand that.
Learn terminology used by your software
small= crop or trim, colour= hue saturation (the tint) and brightness (the
shade)
Use the User Guide, Adobe Photoshop is very good, just very down the the point.
somewhat like my information on the left of my Photoshop pages
Join a computer club and find people with understanding, communication skill
and knowledge
I don't necessary mean very smart, but to be on the same wave length as
you, so to speak
But if they abuse swear and push you, like it happens to me in the Canberra Apple Club, forget it.
Use Google, again use descriptive
detail in its search box, to eliminate masses of seller and not needed information
I will not give many sides as there change so rapidly just a few that I have
used lately
The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers. Best in it's class
Photoshop CS3 for Dummies. Recommendable for CS3
The psychology of colour our impulses influenced by hues
Designer filter patterns brush etc
Adobe Photoshop Tutorials colour to black / white, red eye, layer composition
Jay Arraich’s Photoshop Tips beginners tips
Optical Illusions Michael Bach's stimulating web side