What next? to increase my PS skills

Question

I am a web developer to give you a rough idea of what I need out of PS.
I have gone through some basic courses. I feel comfortable using tools and layers as well as other panels.
So the foundation for my Photoshop skills has been set. However, efficient use of time is crucial in my life and I had some options as to what to do in the future to increase my PS skills.
Option #1: Google around for things like "photoshop brush" / "photoshop tutorial" / "photoshop text effect" / etc. Go about learning things in this manner.
OR
Option #2: Get one of those books or courses and go through some kind of structured formal medium level course.
* Of course I will be learning how to slice things up for images on the web, but what path does one take to become REALLY good with PS? I am asking the seasoned pros here what they think is the best route in terms of efficiency and efficacy.
Thanks in advance !

Answer 1

Now, I am old-school - I like books. I find the Classroom in a Book for PS to be very good. These have gotten better over the years too, as more of the authors have started going into more of the "why," where it used to be almost exclusively on the "how."
I am also a big fan of Photoshop User magazine, which is part of a membership to NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). It has continuing series on PS basics, Web, video, 3D and advanced PS techniques, plus a Q & A section. It's the only magazine that I stuff into my briefcase for long airplane trips.
Many sing the praises of both the Lynda.com and the Total Training tutorials. I'm more book oriented, so while I have enjoyed those DVD tutorials, I am more inclined to have a printed reference in my library. I have several volumes that are more commercial photography-PS related, but would assume that some of these authors, like Ben Wilmore, or Scott Kelby, has probably done some Web-oriented books too. The ones that I have are pretty specific to one use of Photoshop. While I do a lot of work that ends up on the Web, I spend more time in print and in video, than doing Web-oriented material.
Also, I grew up with PS, from the first day it hit the PC, so I am probably looking for some different material - mostly what's new in the current version of PS, that I might not have experienced yet, or maybe techniques that are outside of my "box." There are so many ways to do things in PS, that finding a better way, can be important. Also, having used the program almost daily for decades will tend to channel one's thinking into one path - there are others, and I learn something new here almost daily.
Brings me to the last comment. When you have the time, read through this forum. Lot of great ideas here. Lot of smart users here. Ignore the myriad "Can't Install My Pirated Copy of PS - Can You Give Me Your S/N?" posts, and concentrate on the ones that actually ask how to do something in PS. In the "good old days," there used to be more of those, but there still are some great ones around. When I picked up an Adobe NLE program (the little-brother to the one that I had used for years), the first thing that I did was read every post in that forum - about 8000 over about three days. That program had no manual, so I wanted to get oriented. I learned much about my version, from posts about earlier versions.
Well, one more comment - if Adobe still prints manuals, get one, even if you have to pay good $'s for it. Stick it into your briefcase, and fly with it. While at your Dr's office, waiting, waiting, read it. When you have finished it, start over. Some things that did not quite sink in will now make more sense. I also find a good index better than a Google search. [I do feel that the Adobe manuals were better in the past, but they are trying to move 100% to on-line Help, but if one does not know the exact terminology, a Search will end up empty, or in the wrong place.]
Good luck, and enjoy. PS is one of the most powerful programs, that I have ever used, and is still fun, all these years later.
Hunt