Art New Media Science - Photoshop

Workshop Date: October 26th 10-11:30am and 11:30 - 1pm

Workshop overview

introduction to working with Photoshop to explore basic functionality and concepts behind the software.

Key topics

• Media management and file hygiene
• how Photoshop works as a graphical interface managing data
  • open same image file in photoshop, text editor, metasynth (listen to image data), audacity. Databend original image file using audacity.
• ways that Photoshop can help you with basic design principles
  • Composition : rulers, guides and cropping
  • Color: Histograms (and channels), level adjustments, color modes

Photoshop interface and navigating an image

1. Opening a file File > Open and navigate to your file. Never open a file over the network (if your file is on Orca, first copy it to your local hard drive).
2. Intro to basics Photoshop interface elements
3. navigating an image
   • Zoom: Cmd +/-
   • Hand tool: Space Bar (used to move around an image)

Image size and resolution

1. What is a pixel? Zoom all the way in on your image.
2. What are the dimensions of your image?
   • Go to Image > image Size to see the overall size in pixels of your image
   • Resizing photos for various usages including: Web, email attachment, and print
3. What is the resolution of your image? Why does it matter?
4. Cropping - using the crop tool to remove portions of the image outside of the crop selection
   • You can set the image size to crop to in the properties bar i.e. 400 px (remember the px)

Image adjustments

located under Image > Adjustments

• Levels - set your black point
• Convert an image to black & white

Saving your work

File > Save as. Choose Photoshop as the file format. This will create a uncompressed Photoshop native image file format. It's a good idea to keep an uncompressed copy of your images.

Working with Layers

• What are layers in Photoshop?
• Create new layers
• Hiding and linking layers
• Copying between layers
• Duplicating layers
• Adjustment layers
• Clipping layers
• Layer masks

Working with selections

• intro to selection tools: marquee, lasso, magic wand etc.
• adjusting selections
• copying selections to another layer

Exercise: create a composite image using multiple pinhole camera images

Saving for web

1. Saving for web: File > Save for Web & Devices
   • Choose the highest quality with the best (smallest) file size.