Learn Adobe Photoshop – Beginning
Adobe Photoshop Lesson 1 Introduction to pixel based graphics, image resolution, user interface and integration with Bridge.
Image resolution for high-end print 300ppi and more, home inkjet 240ppi, online publishing 72ppi (2x for Retina displays). To check and change image resolution select: Image > Image Size
Saving files for high-end print with select: File >Save As, choose format: TIF, JPG (high quality) based on printers specific requirements. For online publishing us Save for Web and pick output format(jpg, png, gif), compression, and pixel size. A web page , website, email client may have specific requirements for maximum image pixel size displayed. Any larger, than required pixel size image, will cause longer upload and preview time.
Native Photoshop .PSD format allows to save working files (a composition) for to future editing or revision. Psd format saves all Layers, Masks, Comps, and also effects, and adjustments.
Adobe Photoshop Lesson 2 Crop, Straighten, fixing perspective distortion; tonal adjustments with Levels and Curves.
Download project files
Additional project files
Additional resources to learn and practice at home
More about Image Size
More about Crop tool
More about Levels
More about Curves
Total Photoshop CS6
Adobe Photoshop Lesson 3 Working with CameraRAW to edit RAW, jpg, tif files; Selection tools and masks.
Additional resources to learn and practice at home
Why Starting editing in CameraRaw
CameraRAW basic editing
CameraRAW correcting white balance
CameraRAW – sharpening and noise reduction
CameraRAW – correcting exposure
CameraRAW – workflow
Selecting, basic selection tools
Essential Selections
Keyboard Shortcuts
Bridge: Open a file while bypassing CameraRAW – holding Shift key and double click on file icon in Bridge
CameraRAW: preview a panel adjustment before and after – toggle “P” key
CameraRAW: preview all adjustment before and after – toggle “P” key while on CameraRAW Presets panel
CameraRAW: double-click on an adjustment slider – to reset its original value
To view in 100% image size – double-click on a Magnifying lens tool
To view fit image in window – double-click on a Hand tool
Change tool cursor to cross-hair – press CapsLock
Adobe Photoshop Lesson 4-5 Accurate matching color and tone, display calibration. Recap of RAW development, tone & color editing, color balance, color-match workflow. Image retouching tools and techniques.
Additional resources to learn and practice at home
Layer Masking, making selection, refine edge to mask –basic technique to replace background
Cloning
Content-Aware Patching
Content Aware Fill, Scale, Heal
Replacing Skies
Advanced Content Aware scale
Portrait Soft-focus technique-layer blend modes and opacity, layer grouping
Spot-healing brush, portrait retouch of acne and blemishes
Red-eye quick fix
Keyboard Shortcuts
Spacebar pressed – temporarily switch to a Hand tool for to move/pan image around
Shift pressed – 1. to constrained proportional scaling, selecting and cropping. 2.To add selection
Option [Alt] key pressed – 1. To subtract selection 2. To enter options while creating New: Layers, Channels, Adjustments, Effects, etc.
Change tool (brush, clone) size – press left or right [ ] bracket keys.
Adobe Photoshop Lesson 6-7 Working with Layers, Layer effects, Image effects and filters. Recaps and topics on demand.
Additional resources to learn and practice at home
Monitor/Display Calibration is an important step to correctly view, edit and print/publish your pictures.
Making fine prints in your digital darkroom by Norman Koren
Apple display calibration
An example of calibrating monitor using software and a on-monitor sensor
Mask defines by a Grayscale image. Black color makes image transparent or completely diminish filter/adjustments. White color makes image and a filter/adjustment apparent. Everything in between (grays) will partly take in effect transparency, or filter/adjustment.
Learn more about masks
Layers basics
Blending modes
Creatively mixing layers and blending modes
Selecting and masking
Removing a subject from its background
Keyboard Shortcuts
Spacebar + Com/Ctrl or Spacebar + Alt/Opt – to quickly switch to magnification tool
Com/Ctrl plus (+) or minus (-) key to zoom in or out in increments
Alt/Opt + click on a layer mask revelas layer mask and back
Right click on a layer or a layer mask provides with options, including Convert to a Smart Object, Disable/Enable mask, and more.