Play around with Photoshop, watch videos, read tutorials, ask questions, look at inspiration and try to imagine how they pieced it together.
Some pointers to get you going:
- Use Layer Masks to erase from layers or textures or images or whatever you're working with, as that way you always have the option down the track to adjust or modify your erasing of that layer later.
- Don't use bevel except for extreme cases. I've been telling people this for the past 6 years. Only use bevel when you're using it to not actually look like bevel. If you're trying to make your logo or design look 3D by using bevel, then it shouldn't be trying to look 3D.
- Less is more. Don't add a million textures onto the one thing thinking it makes it look better. Each texture you add should add something important or unique. Even if it's subtle, if it adds something to it that makes the design or image, then keep it, if you're adding for the sake of adding then it doesn't need it.
- Only have text when you planned to have text at the start. If text is an afterthought, it shouldn't be there. Adding a trash or cursive text on top of an already finished image because, you know you should have text on it somewhere, doesn't work. Everything you should feel should feel like it belongs.
- Negative Space can be just as effective as good design. Negative Space being that empty areas in your image or design can say just as much as something being there, and sometimes even more.
- When in doubt, ask for feedback, even I do.