Practice.  Practice.  Practice.  But there's more to it than that.  With anything new that you want to learn or 'take on' there is going to be a learning curve.  If you want to be the best or as good as the best in the field, it's going to take time.  The good news is that there are ways to help you get to that level faster.  For example, with Photoshop you can learn things yourself or you can study from others to learn the essential technical skills and even design skills that are a solid foundation for using Photoshop effectively. 

Learning from others who are already where you want to be is the fastest way that you can improve your skills to reach that level of understanding and operability to function on a high level.  There are certain skills that you must learn and take on if you are interested in becoming a graphic designer.  The tools available with Photoshop are so powerful and incredible when used effectively, you just have to 'discover' them.  You are doing the right thing by taking the effort to educate yourself on the world's best image-editing software; it is like uncovering whole new world's of possibility because once you understand what you can do with the software, you'll be able to unleash your creative giant within.

It definitely helps to learn from those who are already there because, though you'll still have to put a lot of hours in, it will be more exciting because you're getting where you want to be the fastest way possible.  If you really want to master Photoshop, just dig in deep and do your research and spend the hours in the program.  Go to conferences, join mailing lists, bookmark several Photoshop-related websites. 

Use the leverage of information on your side and you will find yourself understanding how to use the program as you pick up pieces of information from different sources.  It's almost like learning a new language so it will take some work.  If you're already experienced, you should always be looking for ways to improve your design and technical skills as a Photoshop user and graphic designer.  The PSDer Educational Experience is a free and ongoing way to keep getting relevant education and improve your own Photoshop and graphic design skills.  You can sign up right to the right of this.

If you want to get as good as what you see in the world around you on billboards, in magazines, on posters, ads and websites then take the time to seek out resources that will help you improve your Photoshop skills in the most effective way possible.  My Discover Photoshop: Total Package is a great way to learn not just all of the basics, but many of the advanced techniques of using Photoshop. 

It is perfect for beginners or intermediates in Photoshop.  It has over 20 hours of Photoshop training with 500 tutorials which gives you a powerful learning resource on 8 DVD's.  It even has free 'stock' images you can use in your designs and layered .PSD designs themselves.  Click here if you are interested in finding out more about this great learning opportunity.

One of the best things you can do, once you master technical basics of Photoshop is to just study design and try emulating what you see in the world around you.  Start viewing magazines from the eye of a graphic designer and how the design was created; "break it down" mentally and start thinking like a producer! 

With the leverage of knowledge and other people's experience (like Orion's and becoming a NAPP member) on your side, and dedication to improvement and learning, you can start creating beautiful and professional designs.  Many of the Photoshop Designer products are designed to help you do just that-learn how to emulate the methods and tools that were used in creating a real design.  The iPSD series allows you to actually look at a finished design in Photoshop; layer by layer and piece by piece.  This series as well as the layered iPSDirectory files come with the Total Package or Photoshop Designer Package.

Just get involved and keep improving and start impressing people & yourself with Your portfolio!

- Orion Williams copyright 2004