PhotoShop Bootcamp - Clarke College
Basic Skill
Level |
Mid-Level
Skills |
Advanced
Skill Level |
Student
has basic computer skills and is comfortable with the mouse interface to be able to render
and retouch simple images in the application. |
Student
has experience scanning images into a computer, and can manipulate, resize, retouch images
in PhotoShop. Has understanding of resolution for print applications. Can use mouse as a
drawing and painting instrument. Knows most everyday graphic file formats and their
applications. |
Student
has ability to digitize analog images, optimize resolution for print or multimedia, can
retouch, combine and recolor images. Is facile with mouse or pressure sensitive tablet to
create original images. |
Is this class for me? Past classes have invited students
with limited computer experience and absolutely no experience with PhotoShop or any image
editing program whatsoever. And we've had students with advanced skill levels. The class
is small and structured in a way that provides basic instructional opportunity for
amateurs while providing advanced students with new challenges, productivity tips, and
exciting discoveries about PhotoShop that can only come from mentoring from a true
PhotoShop and graphic design professional. The instructor promises advanced students this:
Every class you will learn something you've never known before about PhotoShop that will
likely change the way your work and enhance your talents and abilities. |
Technical
Platform: At Clarke College we have a Macintosh Lab
equipped with networked iMacs with 300+ megahertz processors and
Iomega Zip drives (each student is required to bring his/her own Zip cartridge
on which to save one's work). We also have a projectable system for class
demonstrations.
Though one
can develop excellent technique using a simple mouse with Adobe PhotoShop, the real power
of PhotoShop is best leveraged using a stylus and pressure sensitive tablet. The
Wacom Graphire is among the better tablets the instructor recommends. if you are s serious
user, a Graphire is a must and is less than $100.
Adobe
PhotoShop's tools (the brush) airbrush and eraser) have been programmed
to respond to the pressure sensitive tablet This enables the user
to attain not only precise control, but a much more natural feel for spontaneous
drawing and painting. Though the instructor doesn't require students
in this course to purchase a tablet, if you are serious about PhotoShop,
and believe it will become an important part of your career, a tablet
would be an excellent investment (you can avail yourself of a significant
student discount... check with campus technology resources or check Wacom.com,
the leading manufacturer of pressure sensitive tablets for use with PhotoShop).
Pressure sensitive tablets are made for either Mac's and PCs. Gary
will be demonstrating the Wacom GraphireTablet from time to time during
class. It's a duo platform USB tablet that works with both Mac and PC
computer platforms. If you're interested in learning more about pressure
sensitive tablets, talk to your instructor. 
At issue in the Macintosh Labs is that all of the iMac computers
use USB ports rather than standard serial device connections. This is terrific if your
personal computer is also equipped with a USB port. Then you could carry your tablet
with you and plug it in wherever you happen to be.
Student Qualifications: This is a basic-level
to mid-level skills course for students with little or no previous experience with
PhotoShop 5. However, even those with mid-level mastery of PhotoShop basics could benefit
from taking this course. Because PhotoShop has broad applications and a vast tool set,
users often become specialized around a specific and limited set of capabilities. Even
experienced users often feel they are not using the program to its fullest potential.
Furthermore, many users do not fully comprehend the complex application of such issues as
pixel resolution and how it applies to commercial printing. Those who use PhotoShop as a
Web design tool need more experience learning how to maximize print quality. Those who use
PhotoShop for printing, tend to be insecure in Web applications and leveraging color
palette reduction and file compression options to improve Web site performance. Then there
are those users who wish to use PhotoShop for the myriad of multimedia applications,
CD-ROM interactive media, digital video editing, etc., all of which have their own image
format considerations. Consequently, all of these students will likely benefit from this
course.
Course Logistics: This course is based on a
hands-on workshop learning model. Student assignments as well as class lessons can be
executed on the Library's Mac Lab or on Communication Department Lab Computers which have
PhotoShop 5 onboard.
Student Materials: Though it is not absolutely
necessary, it is advisable students own a personal copy of PhotoShop 5, and a personal
computer on which to run it. Undoubtedly, there will be the need to complete class
assignments on ones own, and a lab computer might not be convenient or available on
demand. The software is available to students at a significant discount in the Clarke
Bookstore.
Course Objectives: This
course is designed to provide students with a functional knowledge of how to use PhotoShop
5 to edit digital media and learn how PhotoShop is used in design and production phases in
publishing, Web design and multimedia applications.
Student Requirements: The student is required to complete the 5
assignments which include:
- The Color Photograph: Scan, Retouch, Color balance and Optimize the
Resolution for Target Application
- The Web Banner: Combine and Compose Imagery and Optimize for
Efficient Web Deployment
- An Original Image (Poster): This assignment serves to provide
experience in working with PhotoShops array of image manipulation filters.
- The Halftone: Scan, optimize and convert an image to Grayscale and
then to a Halftone Bitmap.
- Layered Illustration with Background Texture and Compositional
Elements Gathered or Created by the Student
VI. Learning
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will know the following
skills, techniques and tools that apply to PhotoShop 5
A. Getting images into PhotoShop
- Scanning Techniques
- Digital Photography
B. Working with Resolutions
- Determining optimal scan resolution for print
- Determining optimal scan resolution for multimedia and the Web
C. Anti-aliasing: Understanding
and utilizing one of PhotoShops most powerful features which interpolates
contrasting pixel colors to render smoother gradations in color and better rendering of
type elements. This feature contributes to more pleasing results when re-sizing graphics
and changing resolution.
D. Choosing the most
appropriate graphic file format for your project and how these formats relate to platform
dependence, color management, color depth and file size
-
PICT: Picture format that supports grayscale
and anti-alias full-color imaging
- EPS: Originally developed by Adobe Systems, it stands for
Encapsulated PostScript. CMYK color formatting which contains both high-resolution imaging
data and a low-resolution image for placement in page layout software such as Quark
Xpress, PageMaker, FreeHand, Illustrator, Corel, et. al. The Eps file must accompany the
page layout document wherever it goes so the raster image processor or print imaging
system renders the high-resolution data.
- TIFF: Tag Image File Format. Featuring virtually the same image and
color management characteristics as an EPS, this format was developed by Aldus Corporation
(now Adobe), to allow smaller, more manageable page layout file sizes once high
resolutions images are placed in the document. As with EPS, these files must accompany the
page layout document. The printer/image processor gets its high-resolution data from the
Tiff image, not the page layout. Some applications allow you to imbed the image files into
their documents thereby relieving you of managing multiple files.
- JPEG: Stands for Joint Photographers Engineering Group, a
consortium of companies involved in computer imaging software and hardware development.
JPEG is a file compression scheme that allows smaller file sizes while maintaining
full-color bit depth. JPEGs display using your computers full-color reproduction
capabilities and system palette.
- Gif: Developed by CompuServe, one of the early adopters of graphical
interfaces developed for on-line communication. This format uses a palette limiting
compression scheme which simply reduces the number of colors required to render a graphic.
Because GIFs dont utilized antialiasing, color gradations are re-rendered using a
dithering scheme of image pixels.
- BMP: A Microsoft image format utilizing RGB color palette. Because
Microsoft focuses on the business productivity marketplace, which outputs to color output
devices such as inkjet and laser printers, Microsoft determined there was no need to
confuse users with CMYK color management tools found in professional graphic software
packages. BMP images are automatically converted into CMYK when you print a Microsoft
document. The conversion occurs in the background and utilizes device data in a process
invisible to the user.
E. Identifying and Working with
Color Palettes
- Mac Palette
- PC Palette
F. The PhotoShop 5 Tools
- Marquis Box
- Marquis Ellipse
- Lasso
- Magic Wand
- Cropping Tool
- Type Tool
- Hand
- Zoom Tool
- Paint Bucket
- Graduated Fill Tool
- Line Tool
- Eye Drop Sampler
- Pencil
- Paint Brush
- History Brush
- Airbrush
- Smudge Tool
- Stamp Pad Tool
- Path Tool
- Dodge (and Sponge) Tool
- Measure Tool
G. Working with Foreground and
Background Color
H. Editing Modes
- Standard
- Mask
I. Working with Layers
J. Working with Paths
K. Working with Channels
L. Type Manipulation in Adobe
PhotoShop 5
- Creating Type Layers
- Applying Layer Effects
- When its appropriate to render the type layer
- Personal Tips and Tricks (including using type exported from
FreeHand)
M. Layer Effects
- Emboss (outer and inner)
- Drop Shadow
- Inner Shadow
- Outer Glow
- Inner Glow
N. Image Editing
- Cutting
- Copying
- Copy Merged
- Paste
- Paste Into
- Clear
- Fill
- Stroke
- Free Transform
- Transform
O. Image Manipulation
- Modes
- Bitmap
- Grayscale
- Duotone
- Index Color
- RGB
- CMYK
- Lab Color
- Multichannel
2. Adjusting an Image
- Levels
- Auto-levels
- Curves
- Color Balance
- Brightness and Contrast
- Hue, Saturation and Lightness
- Desaturation
- Replace Color
- Selective Color
- Channel Mixer
- Invert
- Equalize
- Threshold
- Posterize
- Variations
3. Duplicate
4. Apply Image
5. Calculations
6. Image Size
7. Canvas Size
8. Crop
9. Rotate Canvas
10. Histogram
11. Trap
P. Layer Manipulation
- New
- Duplicate Layer
- Delete Layer
- Layer Options
- Adjustment Options
- Effects
- Type
- Add Layer Mask
- Enable Layer Mask
- Group with Previous
- Ungroup
- Arrange
- Align Linked
- Distribute Linked
- Merge Layers
- Merge Visible
- Flatten Image
- Matting
Q. The Select Menu
- All
- Deselect
- Reselect
- Color Range
- Feather
- Modify
- Grow
- Similar
- Transform Selection
- Load Selection
- Save Selection
R. The Filter Menu
- Artistic
- Blur
- Brush Strokes
- Distort
- Noise
- Pixelate
- Render
- Sharpen
- Sketch
- Stylize
- Texture
- Video
- Other
S. The View Menu
- New View
- Preview
- Gamut Warning
- Zoom in
- Zoom out
- Fit on Screen
- Actual Pixels
- Print Size
- Show/Hide Edges
- Show/Hide Path
- Show/Hide Rulers
- Guides
- Snap-to Guides
- Lock Guides
- Clear Guides
- Grid
- Snap-to Grid
T. Windows and Palettes
- Cascade
- Tile
- Arrange Icons
- Tools
- Navigator
- Info
- Options
- Color
- Swatches
- Brushes
- Layers
- Channels
- Paths
- History
- Actions
- Status Bar
Course Syllabus for
PhotoShop 5 Boot Camp
The course is held over an 8-week schedule. There are two classes
per week.
Class 1
Objective: Convey to students what the instructors
expectations are to successfully complete this course.
- Introductions among Classmembers
- Distribute Course Syllabus and Explain Course Requirements, Materials
and all Pertinent Information Students will need to Successfully Participate in this
Course
- Premier and Describe the Official Course Web Site, and explain how
students will use it in conjunction with class activities
- Portfolio Review of Instructors Works which represent the
varied projects assigned to students
- Assignment: Bring a photograph to the next class for scanning
Introductory Assignment:
Please copy an image supplied by the instructor to your hard drive for our introduction to
basic PhotoShop tools.
Click here to get
photo
Introductory
Assignment Instructions:
Download the Introductory Assignment Image of the two men in a vintage car.
Please copy an image supplied by the instructor to your hard drive for our
introduction to basic PhotoShop tools.
This assignment is all about getting comfortable with the basic tools in PhotoShop which
allow you to manipulate and retouch photographs. In this assignment, you will create a
mask image of an object which will enable you to remove the background of the photo..
In this first assignment we will use the following tools, working on this image right
along with the instructor.
In this first assignment we will use the following tools, working on this image right
along with the instructor.
- Retouching tools
- Masking Tools
- Clipping Paths
- Image contrast and color tools
- Working with Layers and Layer Properties such as transparency and opacity
Special Notice: Save
your practice file that you downloaded to your disk. We will be revisiting this for class
lectures and demonstrations.
Class 2:
Assignment: Creating the Photographic Postcard
Objective: The student learns the following steps in the process
of digitizing an image which include The Scan, Color Balancing, Retouching, and Optimizing
Resolution for Target Application
- The Scan
- Determining Target Resolution
- Color Balancing: Working with RGB and CMYK color models
- Color Manipulation: Working with Hue, Saturation and Lightness to
manipulate color
- Brightness and Contrast: Working with Histograms
- Manipulating Resolution for Target Application
Requirements: Students must have two or more photographs they
wish to scan and manipulate and a portable disk on which to store the file. Elements of
both photographs will be combined into one photograph.
Special Notice: In the previous class we didn't get a chance
to talk about masking or clipping tools. We will endeavor to cover these capabilities of
PhotoShop in this or the next class.
Class 3 The Photograph (continued)
Objective: Supervise students progress on their
photographs and provide individualized guidance and remedial help for those in need. In
this session we are going to learn how PhotoShops anti-aliasing feature works to
improve image quality.
- Anti-aliasing: Understanding and utilizing one of PhotoShops
most powerful features which interpolates contrasting pixel colors to render smoother
gradations in color and better rendering of type elements. This feature contributes to
more pleasing results when re-sizing graphics and changing resolution. Also explained: how
anti-aliasing is effected by resolution.
- Sharpening Techniques: Sharpening tools and the Unsharp Mask tool.
- Blurring Techniques using the blur, smart blur and Gaussian blur
tools
- Noise Filters: Removing dust, speckles using the smudge and rubber
stamp tools.
- Successfully blending the natural with the retouched areas of the
image: Using the Noise Filters
Class 4: Working in Layers and Combining Image
Elements from Different Sources
Objective: In this class we begin by scanning our second image
so we can combines elements of both image sources to create a single compelling image.
Extensive use of PhotoShops layering is covered in this class.
- Scanning the Second Image and importing it as a layer in your target
image file.
- Eliminating unwanted elements through the use of vector paths and
selection tools.
- Leveraging PhotoShops anti-aliasing feature to seamlessly blend
images and softening edges (Feather and Modify/Border feature
- Using the Selection Tools: lasso, marquis boxes, and vector path tool
- Eraser Tool Variations and Controls
Click
here to retrieve pieces for a lesson which will help you
learn the principles of this portion of the class. Download the pieces
to your hard drive on your workstation.
Class 5: Working with Type Elements in
PhotoShop 5
Objective: The student learn to use type elements in layers, and
the tools used to manipulate those type elements including the following effects:
- Drop Shadow
- Inner Shadow
- Outer Shadow
- Inner Glow
- Outer Glow
- Embossing tools
Outer Bevel
Inner Bevel
Pillow Emboss
Requirement in this Class: Students
will add type element to their composition and an appropriate effect that will contribute
to the effectiveness of the image. This will complete the first class project. See
the Gallery to view the students' Postcard
Design Project!
Class 6: Choosing the Correct File Format for
your Image
Objective: In this pivotal class, students will learn the most
appropriate file format for their image file and understand the correlation of resolution
to file format. Also, we will discuss the cross platform implications of certain file
formats and their appropriateness for one operating system over another.
- We determine the most appropriate graphic file format for your
project and how these formats relate to platform dependence, color management, color depth
and file size
- PICT: Picture format that supports grayscale and anti-alias
full-color imaging
- EPS: Originally developed by Adobe Systems, it stands for
Encapsulated PostScript. CMYK color formatting which contains both high-resolution imaging
data and a low-resolution image for placement in page layout software such as Quark
Xpress, PageMaker, FreeHand, Illustrator, Corel, et. al. The Eps file must accompany the
page layout document wherever it goes so the raster image processor or print imaging
system renders the high-resolution data.
- TIFF: Tag Image File Format. Featuring virtually the same image and
color management characteristics as an EPS, this format was developed by Aldus Corporation
(now Adobe), to allow smaller, more manageable page layout file sizes once high
resolutions images are placed in the document. As with EPS, these files must accompany the
page layout document. The printer/image processor gets its high-resolution data from the
Tiff image, not the page layout. Some applications allow you to imbed the image files into
their documents thereby relieving you of managing multiple files.
- JPEG: Stands for Joint Photographers Engineering Group, a
consortium of companies involved in computer imaging software and hardware development.
JPEG is a file compression scheme that allows smaller file sizes while maintaining
full-color bit depth. JPEGs display using your computers full-color reproduction
capabilities and system palette.
- GIF: Developed by CompuServe, one of the early adopters of graphical
interfaces developed for on-line communication. This format uses a palette limiting
compression scheme which simply reduces the number of colors required to render a graphic.
Because GIFs dont utilized antialiasing, color gradations are re-rendered using a
dithering scheme of image pixels.
- BMP: A Microsoft image format utilizing RGB color palette. Because
Microsoft focuses on the business productivity marketplace, which outputs to color output
devices such as inkjet and laser printers, Microsoft determined there was no need to
confuse users with CMYK color management tools found in professional graphic software
packages. BMP images are automatically converted into CMYK when you print a Microsoft
document. The conversion occurs in the background and utilizes device data in a process
invisible to the user.
Expectations: Students will save their image in two different
formats for the following target application: high-resolution printing and the Web.
Class 7: Working With Color in PhotoShop 5
Objective: Students will understand the different characteristics of
color in PhotoShop 5.
- Identifying and Working with System Specific Color Palettes
- Mac Palette
- PC Palette
- RGB and CMYK Color
- Indexed Color (reducing colors for smaller file sizes)
- Dithering
- Grayscale
- Duotone
- Bitmap
Assignment: The Web Banner: Students will be required to create
a photographic or rendered image through a combination and composition of imagery. They
then must optimize the result for the most efficient Web deployment.
Requirements: Students must bring image elements to class,
either found or created, that can be combined to create an advertisement for the Web. The
theme is provided by the instructor.
Class 8: The Web Banner Project (continued)
Objective: Students must make some progress on their individual
assignments and present them for review by the instructor and fellow classmates. This will
be a lab day in which the assignment can be advanced during class time.
Class 9: Working with Filters in PhotoShop 5
Objective: Students will learn the practicalities and
applications of PhotoShops filters, among them:
- Artistic Filters
- Rendering Filters including
- Render Clouds
- Render Lighting Effects
- Render Lens Flare
- Sketch Filters
- Stylize Filters
- Texture Filters
Assignment: An Original Image (Poster): This assignment serves
to provide experience in working with PhotoShops array of image manipulation
filters.
Requirement: Students must bring imagery that can be used in a
original composition. It can contain photographic, drawn or painted images. The design
objective is to create a poster, so have a theme ready for class or the instructor will
provide one.
Class 10: Review the Poster Project
Review: Students will present their posters (both electronic and
hard copy) and describe their techniques for achieving their results.
Lesson and Objectives: We will cover the art of grayscale and
bitmap image creation using PhotoShop 5. Students will learn how to:
- Scan a black-and-white image and/or color image for grayscale
manipulation
- Optimizing the grayscale image through the use of contrast and
brightness controls.
- Sizing and cropping the image
- Manipulating the sharpness of the image through the use of sharpen
and blur filters
- Using PhotoShops layers feature to change depth of field or to
add emphasis and drama to an image.
- Duo-tone, tri-tone and quad-tone options
- Stochastic screening a black-and-white image (bitmap conversion using
dithered halftone feature), re-importing the image into a layered RGB file, changing layer
from normal to multiply, and colorizing a layer underneath the image layer
- Choosing the best file format for its target application, including
TIF, GIF, and EPS.
Assignment: The Black and White Image (halftone): Scan, optimize
and convert an image to Grayscale and then to a Bitmap image.
Student Requirement: Students must have an appropriate image
with which to work. Students will scan the images in class, manipulate them according to
the lesson and choose the best file format with which to save the image on disk.
Class 11: The Black and White Halftone Assignment
Continued
Objective: This is a lab class in which students can use lab
equipment to further manipulate their image. Supervision by the instructor will determine
areas of opportunity or remedial help. There may be a further detailed lesson in this
class depending on opportunities discovered among the students as they seek to meet their
individual objectives.
Lesson: Determined by students progress on the
assignment
Student Requirement: Students must be prepared to present
final image for evaluation.
Class 12: Preparing for the Final Assignment
Objective: Students will begin working on their Final Assignment
which is a complex, layered composition which will utilize several of PhotoShops
effects filters.
See Memories of a Lifetime
for samples which illustrate the basic concept of this assignment.
Lesson:
- Collecting objects and images found and created for our layered
composition.
- Scanning 3D objects using a conventional scanner
- Using digital photography
- Creating a background texture
- Using drop shadows and embossing filters on objectives to enhance
their appearance and create dramatic effects
- Using lighting techniques with the Render Command
- Using Lens Flare
- Using levels of transparency to create depth
Assignment: The Layered Illustration with Background
Texture and Compositional Elements Gathered or Created by the Student. The student must
plan, collect and execute a layered composition using a background texture, photographic
elements, 3D objects), and possibly some uniquely created elements, either drawn or
painted.
The Theme: This will be a personal, visual, biographic depiction
of your entire life up to now. It must contain images and objects that symbolize important
memories or milestones in your life. It can contain images of your parents, significant
people in your life present and past, found objects such as buttons, badges, athletic
equipment (baseball, perhaps), old shoes, a piece of sheet music, images from a movie that
was important to you, the lyrics to a song, a photo of a pet, a childhood sketch, a
favorite book. Use your imagination.
Class 13: Preparing your Composition
Objective: This is a hands-on opportunity in the lab to discover
opportunities and determine remedial help among the students.
Lesson: The lesson for this class will be determined by the
level of sophistication in the students works and their desire for more creative
opportunities and variations.
Student Requirement: Students must make significant progress
on his assignment during the class.
Class 14 Lab and Catch-up
Objective: Students must be prepared to show their work in
either digital or hard copy form.
Class 15: Portfolio Review
Objective: Students will learn techniques of portfolio creation
and maintenance from an expert, both traditional and Web-based. The
Lesson: The instructor provides insight into portfolio
presentation, both traditional and Web-based.
Class 16: Lab and Catch-up
Objective: Students bring their portfolios to class for
evaluation by the instructor
Lesson: An original video is planned for the class which
features a local design studio with interviews of how these professionals use PhotoShop 5
to pursue their livelihoods.
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