So. I got photoshop late last night. Now I want to learn how to use it. Now...my first background image (I only ever made a few avatars before it)...

http://fishwithaki.deviantart.com/art/Orange-Season-Soccer-109082641

I got a suggestion and I made some changes

New image:

http://fishwithaki.deviantart.com/art/Soccer-Season-2-109086679

What do you guys think of that for a beginner? Also if you have tips for Adobe Photoshop CS4; let me know. ^^. I want to learn. ^_^

The second piece is way too dark. The focus of the piece is barely distinct.

I prefer the first piece. But the orange section is not blended too well into the black. On Photoshop CS4 - add a layer mask to the orange layer. Take a drop shadow brush (25px) and at 100% opacity and flow but 0% hardness. Then choose black as the foreground colour. Then begin brushing on the edges of the masked layer. Blend it to the black. Try using different sizes too - for e.g., use a 10px brush next at 0% hardness but 50% opacity, and then a 5px brush at 0% hardness and 30% opacity. Keep blending the edges/border. Click on the mask to select it. Now on the masks panel - you can modify the feathering for the edge and even refine mask edge.

Also something more with the background - a simple black makes for a bland piece.