In this book you'll be taken step-by-step through a variety of exercises that will show you how to retouch, color correct, and collage dozens of images.
Includes Downloadable Class Files (works on Mac & PC)
ISBN: 978-1-941333-05-1
Setup & Introduction
Downloading the Class Files
The Tools Panel Expanded & Keyboard Shortcuts
Section 1
Getting Started
- Zooming
- Scrolling
- Getting around
- Tools
- Copying & pasting
Photo Retouching
- Making selections
- The Healing Brush tool
- The Clone Stamp tool
- The Red Eye tool
Replacing Backgrounds
- The Magic Wand tool
- Image compositing
Annual Report Cover
- More selection practice
- Feathering selections
- Working with layers
- Using type
Section 2
Selecting with Quick Masks
- Quick masks
- More Magic Wand tool practice
Creating Shadows & Layers
- Adding effects to layers
- Drop shadows
3D Type Shadow
- More drop shadow practice
- More practice adding effects to layers
- Using Transform to create a 3D effect
Ghosting Part of an Image
- Setting a layer’s opacity
- Feathering layers
Fill Opacity & Effects
- More practice with layer effects
- Layer opacity vs. fill
Using the Adobe Bridge
- Navigation
- Renaming files
- Deleting files
- Rotating images
Section 3
Creating Tiling Patterns
- Working with patterns
- The Offset filter
- Deleting & resetting patterns
Cropping, Resizing, & Blending
- The Gradient tool
- More pattern practice
- Blending modes
Preparing Digital Photos for Print
- Viewing/setting image size
- Resampling pros & cons
- Saving as PSD
- Saving as TIFF
Saving Photos for the Web as JPEG
- Resizing images for the web
- Reducing image size with resampling
- Setting JPEG quality
Saving Photos for the Web as GIF/PNG
- Comparing GIF & PNG
- Transparency on the web
Section 4
Color Correction Using Color Balance
- Creating adjustment layers for color correction
- Adjusting color balance
- Adjusting brightness/contrast
Color Correction Using Levels
- Color correction with a Levels adjustment layer
- Setting white, black, & gray points
Color Correction Using Curves
- Color correction with a Curves adjustment layer
- More practice setting white, black, & gray points
- Working with midpoints
Adjustment Layers & Masks
- More Curves practice
- Masking out unwanted adjustments
- Organizing layers into groups
Shadows/Highlights
- Creating a Smart Object
- The Shadows/Highlights adjustment
- More masking out unwanted adjustments
Section 5
Sharpening Photos
- The Smart Sharpen filter
- Sharpening hi-res photos for print
Special Effects with Type & Clipping Masks
- Masking a photo with type
- Clipping masks
Creating Paths with the Pen Tool
- The Pen tool
- Creating paths of Bézier curves
Using Clipping Paths for Silhouettes
- Clipping paths
- More Pen tool practice
- Importing a silhouette into InDesign
Using Layer Masks for Silhouettes
- The Magnetic Lasso tool
- More practice with layer masks
- The Refine Edge dialog
- Color Fill layers
Section 6
Using Filters for Special Effects
- The Motion & Spin Blur effects
- Copying layers
- Loading selections
Brochure Part I
- Working with guides
- More practice with adjustment layers
- Layer styles
- More practice with blending modes
Brochure Part II
- More practice with Smart Objects
- More practice with Free Transform
- More layer groups
- More practice adjusting curves
- The Bevel & Emboss effect
Brochure Part III
- Importing text into Photoshop
- More gradient practice
- More fill opacity
- More practice with custom shapes
Bonus Material
Matching Backgrounds
- Selecting the areas that need color matching
- The Match Color adjustment
- The luminance, color intensity, & fade sliders
Preparing Line Art for Print
- The Unsharp Mask adjustment
- The Threshold adjustment
- The Bitmap color mode
- Grayscale vs. Bitmap
That’s a Moiré
- Scanning images at a high ppi
- Getting rid of halftone variation
- Using resampling to enhance smoothness
- More practice with the unsharp mask
Layer Masks & Collages
- More practice with layer masks
- More practice making selections
- More gradient practice
More Layer Masks & Collages
Using Layer Masks to Save Photographs
- The Multiply blending mode
- More layer mask & gradient practice
- Making exposure consistent throughout a photo
Reference Material
Understanding Color
- Color terminology defined
- General strategy for color correction
Print File Formats Quick Reference
- Comparison of PSD, TIF, EPS, PDF, & DCS
Web File Formats Quick Reference
- Comparison of JPEG, GIF, PNG, & SVG
Creating a Favicon for a Website
Drawing Paths in Photoshop
- General rules for creating paths
- Available keystrokes when drawing
Blending Modes
Examples of What You Learn
Why Our Books Are Unique
Our books are packed with step-by-step exercises that walk you through projects. You’ll learn by doing exercises, not reading long explanations. The goal is to give you hands-on practice with the program, getting you started quickly with the things that are most important for real life work.