Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is THE ESSENTIAL PHOTO EDITING TOOL, used by every professional photographer, in every photography field, in every country, and it is used everyday. It is the industry standard, bar none.
It is also a massive and powerful program, which could take years to learn and a lifetime to master.
Students in this class only need to learn a few basic steps. These basic steps can be followed on virtual every version of Photoshop, including the lateste version CS3. Read them, learn them, use them. If you care to learn more and explore PS, here is a tutorial Adobe offers.
They are as follows:
Basics:
1. Open image
(file> open)
*There are multiple ways to open an image in PS. You can simply drag image onto PS icon. Also, you may want to use the PS browser. ( file> browse > navigate to image)
2. Crop image
-select cropping tool from tool bar
-crop image to desired shape
3. Size image
(image> image size)
-set to10inches at longest side, 200dpi
-make sure constrain proportions is checked.
-make sure resample image is checked.
*once you diminish size, thus lose information, you can never regain it. You must go back to original file.
4. Tone image
(image> adjustments> levels)
-set white marker, set black marker if possible
-move markers to adjust image
-or try AUTO
* there are many ways to tone images in PS, I suggest using “Levels.”
5. Caption photo
(file> file info> general> write in caption field
-For captions, see caption outline DOC)
6. Name photo (give it a unique slug for ID purposes)
last name_slug.jpg ex: franklin_feature.jpg
7. Save photo
(File> save as> save to your folder)
*by using “save as” you are creating a new file, leaving the original unchanged.
Additional….
8. Sharpen
(Filter> sharpen> unsharp mask). Move sliders:
AMOUNT between 100 - 200
RADIUS between .4 – 2.0
THRESHOLD set to 13
*don’t over sharpen, this is it to fine tune sharpness only!
8. To convert to Black & White
(image> mode > grayscale)
Discard color info? Click yes, but make sure you “save as’ or have another copy saved, otherwise you will lose all color info on the image, forever!
Remember to convert back to RGB:
(image> mode > RGB color)
Tone image if you like:
(image> adjustments> levels)
*note that there are many ways to convert to Black & White, this method is easiest.
10. Burn & Dodge
-select burn or dodge tool from tool bar. They are the same tool, different selections.
At top, adjust brush size and range. Experiment here.
11. Remove Dust
-select clone stamp tool from tool bar.
At top, adjust brush size and opacity. Experiment here.
12. Minimize Shadows/Highlights
-IMAGE>ADJUST>SHADOWS/HIGHLIGHTS
-move adjustors. Do NOT over adjust, keep number below 10.
