GC 140
Digital Imaging/Photoshop

Video Series Description

Program Descriptions

1 Introduction to Photoshop

This module covers an introduction to Photoshop and the Browser.  The browser is the window to view working files, rename files, organize files, tag files and other available tools.  After introducing the features of Photoshop we progress on to working with a file to orient the viewer to the workflow within Photoshop.  Topics covered in this module are Work Space set up; Opening files; File Browser; Option Click to open files and close browser; Drag folder to name line and it will open; Parts of the interface; Change area sizes; Rename files; Flag images sort by flagged files; Batch renames files; Sort by numbers; Rearrange images; Create new files; Rotation of files; Radio button for the metadata; Assign keywords; Search

2 Getting to Know the Playground 

As you know with Adobe Photoshop you will discover that there is often more than one way to accomplish the same task.  To make the best use of Photoshop's extensive editing capabilities, you first must learn to navigate the playground.  The playground consists of the image window, the toolbox, and the default set of floating palettes, which are used repeatedly during the editing process.

3 Discovering Selections

This module teaches you how to select areas of an image so that they can be affected.  The total image or specific areas can be selected, and only the area within a selection can be edited.  Areas outside the selection are protected from change.

4 Selecting and Filling Line Art

Adobe Photoshop allows you to do more than edit, enhance, or modify photographic images.  You can also create graphics by selecting and filling.  This lesson focuses on selecting areas using a variety of resources to add color to the area.  You'll learn how to blend colors with soft edges and transitions, and then apply layer styles to modify the layers image data.

5 Using Painting Tools

Adobe Photoshop lets you create original artwork or retouch existing artwork in a variety of ways.  You can select from many painting tools and fill commands that let you add and manipulate color.  Selections can be used to control the color, or painting can be freehand.

6 Greyscale Images

Tonal adjustment allows the user to give images the maximum range from highlight to shadow.  Several interfaces can be used in Photoshop to adjust tonality.  In this module we will focus on Levels, Curves, Highlight and Shadows, and channel mixer interfaces.  In this session we are going to work with grayscale images, but the same approach can be used with color images as well.  When we set these points, highlight to shadow, information for the setting comes from our end use of the image.  Adjusting this range is used in retouching, color to grayscale conversion, adjusting to output devises and improving overall picture quality.

7 Colorizing Grayscale

Digital image editing provides the capacity for adding color to still images, animation, and digital video.  In this module we will color a grayscale image using the functions of selecting, quick masking, blend modes and colorizing grayscale.  Hand colored images can give dramatic accent to imagery.  The result is a soft pastel look that is effective in enhancing or providing focus to a subject.

8 Layer Basics

Photoshop layers offers the power of image editing on vertical slices of the composition.  Layers provides the user access to components parts of the image and delicate control to detailed areas.  In this module we will explore the basic components and uses of layers in editing and combing images.  Layers allows unlimited flexibility in composing and revising an image.

9 Layer Masks

Using the basic layer techniques covered previously, in this module we begin to create more complex effects in the artwork using layer masks, clipping groups, and adjustment layers.  Layer masks let us hide or reveal parts of the artwork on a layer.  Clipping groups let us define an object on one layer as a mask for artwork on other layers.  Adjustment layers let us apply effects that can be editied repeatedly without making a permanent change to the pixels in the image.

10 Advanced Layers

In this session we continue to explore layers.  This is the second consecutive module in which we create more complex effects in the artwork using layer masks, clipping groups, and adjustment layers. 

11 Duotones

Not every commercially printed publication requires four-color reproduction.  Printing in two colors using a grayscale image and spot color can be an effective and inexpensive alternative.  A duotone is a spot color method of creative imagery.  Duotones not only have a great patina and graphic feel, they also allow much wider tonal range than a traditional black and white image.  Tritons and quadtones are also variations on that same theme of presenting alternatives to a straight forward color or black and white image.

12 Masks and Channels

Adobe Photoshop uses masks to isolate and manipulate specific parts of an image.  A mask is like a stencil.  The cutout portion of the mask can be altered, but the area surrounding the cutout is protected from change.  We can create a temporary mask for one-time use, or we can save masks for repeated use.  In this module we will work with masks, channels, filters and the smudge tool.

13 Scanning Color/Adjustments

Many things influence the way we perceive color.  The environment, light sources, emotions, vision, and the multitude of technologies through which we view things all have an influence of how we see color.  In this session we will reduce some of the variables in color reproduction as we investigae the additive and subtractive color theories.  Calibration of scanners, monitors and other input devices are explained.

14 Color Correction

In this module we continue with color adjustments.  Once an image has been scanned, some color correction is needed to match the out put device.  Color printers, printing presses, color copeirs, RGB monitors for the internet, photographic paper, or broadcast are but a few of the delivery systems that may require color adjustments.

15 Maps in Photoshop

Maps, just what are maps in Photoshop?  There are several types of interesting manipulation that can be done with maps in Photoshop.  Lens Blur requires you to create a depth map to effect the depth of field in a photograph.  Increasing edge contrast can be done with bump maps.  Images can be wrapped around a surface with displacement maps and other effects can create texture in the image.  We are going to explore using these maps in Photoshop in this module.

16 Photo Retouching

Commercial photographers use Photoshop for optimizing the image.  In other words, making it look as good as it can look.  This includes considering the elements of contrast and density and adjusting with levels and curves, sharpening the scanned image, adjusting the color balance if needed and increasing saturation if necessary.  In this module, Will Gullette, Palomar College Photography Instructor and commercial photographer shares some techiniques for using Photoshop to retouch photographs.  Retouching is a time-consuming process but can yield great satisfaction in the results of one's efforts.

17 Basic Pen Tool Techniques

The pen tool draws precise straight or curved lines called paths.  We can use the pen tool as a drawing tool or as a selection tool.  It has the most options of any tool including the standard pen, magnetic pen, freefrom pen, pen for adding or subtracting anchor points, the direct select pen, and the anchor point conversion tool.

18 Restoration

In this module we will look at the methods used for photo restoration.  Restoration differs from retouching in that the objective is to repair or fix a defect in an image.  The retoucher needs to have a library of parts to draw from for restoring images that are missing large areas.  Retouching is a detailed oriented task that takes a great deal of time to achieve the finished result.  Practice with the tools will soon make you an effective image retoucher.

19 Clipping Paths

The pen tool always draws smooth anit-aliased outlines which can be used as a selection tool.  For creating intricate selections, these paths are an excellant alternative to using the standard selection tools, and the paths can be exported as well as preserve memory storage space.  In this session we use the pen tool to create clipping paths which contour the form of the image.  It can then be placed into a layout program.

20 History Palette

The history palette is new to this version of Photoshop and gives the user more potential for creativity.  The history palette records up to 100 changes made to an image by listing each state with the name of the tool or command used to change the image.  One can step back to or revert to any state listed in the history palette and continue working from that point.  This increases the user's ability to explore the imagery and change direction.

21 Filters: Creating Special Effects

Photoshop's filters can be used to produce a myriad of special effects, from mild sharpening to vivid distortions.  Filter selections can simulate a traditional artistic medium such as watercolor, pastel or a sketch.  Other filters blur, bend, wrap, sharpen or fragment images.  Filters compel us to explore, but we must be cautious not to overuse as a style.  In addition to using filters, adjustment layers and painting modes can vary the look of one's artwork.

22 Odds and Ends

This module is called Odds and Ends.  We will explore a series of useful processes in Photoshop that will help you discover more efficient ways of editing images.  Fun and interesting areas will add to your creative choices as you work.  Topics covered are: How to split gang scanned images; Automation with picture package; Painting with the color replacement brush; Photomerge several images; Effective cropping; Photofilter feature; Layer comps and blending; Batch processing and automation; Using the bucket to paint.

23 Optimizing Images for Web Publication

Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady let you optimize the display and file size of your images for effective Web publishing results.  In gereral, the file size of an image should be small enough to allow reasonable download times for a Web server, but large enough to represent desired colors and details in the image.  Adobe ImageReady also lets you turn an image into an image map, creating Web ready navigation elements from your art.

24 Typography

This module explores the new typographical features in Photoshop.  Editable type imposing type effects on layer transformations of type, type masking, type layer rendering and other features that enhance type.  Because Photoshop type is bit mapped, drawing and page layout programs are best for composing quantities of content.  Filters can be imposed, but not on Editable layers.

25 Digital Photography

Today, silver-based film is being replaced by charged coupler devices, or CCD's are the light sensitive devices that electronically capture wavelengths of light reflected from our subject.  Grains of silver have been replaced with picture elements or pixels, and photo chemicals have been replaced with computers and image editing applications.  The electronic darkroom has arrived.  Let's take a look at how today's photographers work with their new tools and how important image-editing software, like Adobe Photoshop assist them.

26 Illustration

27 Video, Retouching, and Rotoscoping

28 Textures in Photoshop

Textures in Photoshop can be created in a variety of ways.  Actions, filters and styles can all be used to make visual textures in Photoshop.  In this module Jay Schultz will use filters and styles to create a variety of textures to build patterns and fills for backgrounds, surfaces and mapping.  Textures offer great choices to enhance the visual impact of the image.

29 Collage with Photoshop

Collage, montage, or assemblages are all terms used to describe the art of putting separate elements together to form a composition.  Photoshop offers the perfect venue for assembling images on layers and offering the artist a wide range of options.  The images can come from photographs, scanned images 2-D and 3-D, video, or digital cameras are sources for potential content.  Collages are a great way to incorporate design principles; shape, form, balance, emphasis, and contrast are concepts that can be displayed.

30 Actions and Automations in Photoshop

Actions are stored, recorded, and played back using the actions palette.  Photoshop reads the steps and a command recorded in a action file executes them on the target image.  Actions can be used to program f keys or write original actions to speed up any repetitive task.  Automations offer the user the opportunity to apply actions to a batch or custom function to the processing ability.  Proof sheets, picture layout, droplets, web galleries are some of the built in features of the automation menu.