Adobe Photoshop Comprehensive

Course Description

Photoshop is the only program that is common to all the Adobe creative software suites because it is utilized by all types of creative professionals.  For this reason, this class is especially designed for creative-oriented students who want to grasp the full range of its possibilities. Graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, “in house creatives,” web designers, and photographers are all ideally suited for this workshop. Photoshop is a complex program. But with this intensive, two-day class, you’ll quickly grasp the fundamentals you’ll need to accomplish many common tasks. This class is taught using CS5. However, there is not a significant difference between the basic features of CS5 and CS4, so CS4 users should adapt quickly.

We supply the files, but you’re welcome to bring a few of your own to share with the class. Purchase of the class textbook is strongly recommended. And if you have a question or need help after the class is over, don't forget our ongoing student support. 

Course Outline

Course Outline

Introduction from the instructor. Class overview. Post class student support program explanation and access information.

Lesson 1: Getting Familiar with the Workspace
Topics: Opening and saving files, review of the Tools, setting options for selected tools, zooming methods, selecting, arranging and using panels, undo options, customizing the workspace and using the help file.

Lesson 2: Basic Photo Corrections
Topics: Image size/resolution, cropping/straightening an image, tonal range adjustments, color cast correction, targeted saturation and brightness adjustments, clone tool magic, healing and patch tools, and the unsharp mask filter.

Lesson 3: Using Selections
Topics: Marquee selection tools, Lasso selection tools, Quick selection tool, magic wand, refine edge options, saving and loading selections.

Lesson 4: Layer Basics
Topics: Organizing artwork, create, view, hide and select layers, arrange, blend, resize, rotate, text layers, layer effects and more.

Lesson 5: Using Masks and Channels
Topics: Creating a layer mask. Refining selections using quick mask. Saving selections as channel masks. Loading a saved mask. Editing masks. Applying filters, effects and blending modes to masks. Create and use a gradient mask. Creating a high quality black and white by mixing channels and more.

Lesson 6: Advanced Photo Enhancement
Topics:  Processing images with camera raw. Bring our shadow and highlight details. Adjust the visual perspective using the vanishing point filter. Correct optical distortions. Blending two images to extend the depth of focus. Create a PDF image gallery/slide show. Best practices for organizing, managing and saving your images. And more.
 
Lesson 7: Typographic Design
Topics: Using guides to position text. Making a clipping path from type. Merging type with other layers. Using layer styles with text. Previewing typefaces interactively. Control type with the type panel. Putting type on 3D objects. And more.

Lesson 8: Vector Graphics in Photoshop
Topics: Bitmap vs vector – what’s the difference. Drawing using the pen tool. Converting paths to selections and selections to paths. Saving paths. Drawing and editing shapes. Drawing custom shapes. Importing a smart object from Adobe Illustrator. And more.

Lesson 9: Preparing Files for the Web
Topics: Slicing images. Linking slices to HTML pages or locations. Defining rollover status. Creating simple animations. Creating animation sequences using layers and the animations panel. Previewing animations in a web browser. Optimizing images for the web. Exporting high resolution images for detailed zoom-ins on the web. Using MediaGallery to showcase your photographs. And more.
 
Lesson 10: Producing and Printing Consistent Color
Topics: Define RGB, grayscale, and CMYK color spaces for displaying, editing and printing images. Preparing an image for printing on a PostScript CMYK printer. Proof an image for printing. Saving images in CMYK EPS format. Discussion of four color separation. Understand how images are prepared for printing on prepress.
 

Course Prerequisites

This class assumes you have working knowledge of computers and operating systems. It is assumed you know how to use your mouse, the standard menu and commands and how to open and save files. If you are bringing your own computer, make sure you have the version software that is being taught in the class. In the event that you are not knowledgeable in the use of computers, the instructor will not be able to take time away from the other students to teach you. One-on-one tutoring is available for a fee.