Photoshop Basics

Dec 5, 2013

Actions in Photoshop

Actions are used to apply the same sequence of operations to multiple photos; think of it as an assembly line. You could use this in all kinds of capacities, such as turning 100 photos to black and white, re-sizing a group of photos for a Web site's front page, or any number of other possibilities. Check out this video on how actions work.

Dec 4, 2013

Adjustments via the Curves tool

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/03/18/photoshop-curves-tool-6-techniques-every-photographer-must-know/

Nov 27, 2012

Pen Tool Instructional Video

Graphic Design Students: Here is a link to the Youtube video we watched regarding the Pen Tool in Photoshop CS5.

Nov 26, 2012

Paths and Brushes Tutorial

Graphic Design, Your walkthrough is here:

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photoshop-text/text-effects/text-path-brush/

DIM, Your walkthrough is here:

The link for using brushes and paths together may be found here:

http://www.iceflowstudios.com/2012/tutorials/photoshop-snow-heart/

(the snow photo can be found at the bottom of this page.)

NOTE: I strongly recommend doing the tutorial by reading step-by-step; the video will take an eternity to load if you are in class with a number of people trying to access it.

A FEW HELPFUL HINTS:

• When you first draw the shape, make sure the first of the three drawing options is selected on the shape tools -->
• You will likely have to reset your brushes to find the necessary brush. With the brush tool active, hit the drop-down to access the brush libraries (as if you are looking to load the calligraphy brush library), and then pick 'reset brushes' - it's about 1/3 of the way down the first column in the list.
• When you use the 'stroke path' feature, make sure your brush color is black.

Nov 1, 2012

Photoshop Basics Mini-Project

For some quick reference/reminders about getting around Photoshop, check out the images at the bottom of this entry.

NOTE: There are two different versions of the project: One is for the Graphic Design Classes, and the other is for students in DIM (scroll farther down).

Graphic Design Version: Halloweenification

Your project will require the Halloweenification of a photograph. In other words, you need just one good photo, not 35. To begin, you will need to actually take a photo. It can be of a person screaming, cowering in fear, or anything else you might be able to use in a "Halloween" design in some creative way. It needs to be a photo taken with our cameras, and not one found on the Web. Taking the photo should require no more than 5 to 10 minutes. People may share the same photo, but everyone does their own, unique design in Photoshop. Once you pull it off of the camera, you will need to be sure you include the following Photoshop features in your design:

• A filter applied that makes a noticeable change to the photograph (apply the filter BEFORE you apply adjustment layers).
• A gradient map adjustment layer to re-color the photo in some darker, scarier fashion (think black to orange, black to red, black to grey, etc...)
• Text used in an out-of-the-ordinary manner that is clear and readble (such as oversized, semi-transparent text, or even vertical text)
  • Steer clear of script-y and silly fonts such as (but not limited to) Algerian, Curlz MT, Chiller, Viner Hand ITC
  • Steer clear of commonly overused fonts. These include Arial, Times New Roman, Myriad Pro, Calibri, and all of their variants).
• Something else brought in from another image file and transformed (resized, rotated, etc); be sure that if you resize it larger, it's only slightly larger; pixelated image elements will cost you BIGTIME! If you want to take only part of an image and bring it in, ask a classmate who has taken DIM for some quick help with the Quick Select tool. There are PLENTY of people in both classes that know how to use it.
• Relevant use of lines and/or rectangular shapes drawn using the shape tool. In case you didn't realize, you can use the shape tool to make a small, very thin rectangle that serves as a line. Incorporate rounded or other shapes as well, but they must result in a quality, professional look.
• An adjustment to the opacity of at least one layer in your composition that is actually relevant/meaningful to the overall composition.
• At least one layer style (the stuff on the FX button at the bottom of the layers panel) applied to your text that makes a noticeable change.
• All image layers must be renamed to something relevant to what is in them. Text and adjustment layers are automatically renamed.
• SAVE YOUR WORK BOTH AS A JPEG AND A PSD in a project folder in your Graphic Design/GDI folder on your USB drive. All image files you used as source materials (the original camera photo and original images containing anything you copied/pasted in to the design) must be saved in there, too.
• Don't waste the days! You will receive a test grade for your finished product and a daily grade for your diligence in completing the project. This includes anything the sub tells me about your work ethic while you're gone. "Not knowing how to do something" is not an excuse; you have plenty of people who can help you in these classes, as well as the images below.

Digital and Interactive Media Version: Happiness Is...

DIM students, your project is a little lighter in nature. You simply need to find a photograph from the Web or your personal stash, making sure it is at least 800 pixels wide by 800 pixels tall (remember: the Large size google images filter will ensure this). It needs to be a real-world photograph, and not a drawing/design/logo etc. The photograph should be a visual example of something that brings you happiness. It may be a sport, it may be an object, it may be a place... that is for you to decide. Once you have done this, your project needs to include the following:

• For an example of the finished project, see the second photo below.
• At least two adjustment layers that alter the brightness/contrast/color of the photo in a meaningful, professional way (don't simply pick random settings on an adjustment). You will have to explain to me why you picked these adjustments and set them as you did as part of your grade.
• Two text items in separate text layers: one heading text item (that says exactly "Happiness Is..."), and one supporting text that tells us what happiness is to you.
• If it is on top of "stuff" in the photograph (such as people, trees, or anything that is not a relatively solid/single color), be sure the text added to your design is readable. To improve readability of the text,
  • Select the text layer by left-clicking on it in the Layers panel.
  • Click on the Fx button at the bottom edge of the Layers panel.
  • Select either 'Drop Shadow' or 'Stroke' to bring up the Layer Styles menu.
  • Use a drop shadow or stroke to help the text stand out from the photograph's background.To change settings for a given layer effect,
    • click the check box next to that layer effect to turn it on
    • click on the actual name of the effect to bring up its options.
    • For Drop Shadows, don't mess with anything besides the
      • shadow color (the black or other colored square)
      • Spread
      • Size
      • Distance
    • For Stroke, both the stroke color and size are useful. Generally use just a very small, thin stroke of a contrasting color (black around white letters, dark blue around light blue letters, light green around dark red letters, etc) to help improve readability.
• (optional) Use a filter on the image layer to add a meaningful artistic effect to your design.
• Keep in mind that I'm looking at your work here with a real-world mindset; adding absurd and silly design elements to this will cost you points. Professionalism is key in your finished projects.
• SAVE YOUR WORK WITH THE FILE NAME "HAPPINESS IS" BOTH AS A JPEG AND A PSD in a project folder in your Graphic Design/GDI folder on your USB drive. All image files you used as source materials (the original camera photo and original images containing anything you copied/pasted in to the design) must be saved in there, too.
• Don't waste the day! You will receive a test grade for your finished product and a daily grade for your diligence in completing the project. This includes anything the sub tells me about your work ethic while you're gone. "Not knowing how to do something" is not an excuse; you have plenty of people who can help you in these classes, as well as the images below.

Example using Poster edges filter and brightness/contrast adjustment. Be sure your work is actually 800x800 pixels!