Photoshop Adjusting Levels.

When adjusting levels in Photoshop use Adjustment Layers so you are doing “No Destructive Editing”

Go to your adjustment layers pallet.
Choose levels.
Hold down the “OPTION” key while sliding the sliders and adjusting your histogram.
Notice when the color starts being revealed. That is a good stopping point.


Start Image:

Notice adjustment Holding Option Down

 See Corrected Image:

Contrast - Identify, Correct,

A great technique to identify contrast issue as mentioned in this weeks lecture is switching the image to gray-scale and checking the overall range of gray-scale value. Then after identifying areas that need adjustment using the history pallet or undo command, or if the image did not have previous edits before the color change using a “Revert” command would also restore the file to its original state.

I then suggest using the adjustment layers. When I first started using Photoshop we never had these. I would always keep a copy of the original image in a separate layer in case I needed to go back. With adjustment layers this step is not needed. The first tool I always use to adjust contrast is “Levels”. In my experience taking a quick look at the curve will explain most contrast issues. I then simply correct it by adjusting the arrows on the curve.

Another tool I use quite often in adjusting contrast is the curves tool. I also use this tool with an adjustment layer as well. The curves tool has quite a bit more control than the levels adjustment and allows for a more involved correction. One of the main times I go to the curves tool is when I am adjusting an image and removing a colorcast. I great starting point for this adjustment is to click on the mid-tone eyedropper and find a middle gray tone in your image and select it. This may correct the cast, or at least give a great starting point to make further adjustments too.

Resources:
AIO Lecture

Unsharp Mask

Although it sounds backwards, “Unsharp Mask” in most cases will enhance clarity and make images sharper and clearer. While this filter may appear to have an affect the entire image, Unsharp Mask is only applied to the edges of an image. It accomplishes the “sharpening effect” by adjusting the acutance, which refers to the clarity or transition at the edge of an image. Unsharp Mask is a great way to increase clarity of detail in photographs.

This filter should not be applied to every image, but only on images that need a crisp sharp look. If enhanced detail is not needed in an image, using this filter could result in unwanted noise or added graininess to the look to the image.

Images that are great candidates for this filter would be images that contain a large amount of detail. While there is a large range available in the setting, small amounts of these settings accomplish the sharpening need. Applying this filter too much can over emphasize certain textures and unwanted detail, as well as, in some instances create a halo around images. All of which would be unwanted results.

One thing to always remember about this filter is it is not a solution for a photo that is not in focus. While it may look better with the application of the filter, it won’t make a out of focus photo sharp. Another thing to keep in mind is that it should be applied to images last, after all other editing has been done. This will ensure maximum clarity.

Some suggested setting for unsharpen mask.

Subject              Amount         Radius          Threshold
Soft subjects       150                 1                     10
Portraits             75                   2                        3
Moderate sharpening 225       0.5                      0
Maximum sharpening 65         4                       3
All-purpose sharpening 85      1                        4


Source:
For starting values of the USM filter for different uses, try the ones suggested by PhotographyJam:
http://photocritic.org/unsharp-mask-sharpening-photos-photoshop/



Resources:
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/unsharp-mask.html
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/sharpness.htm
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acutance
http://www.naturescapes.net/122004/tg1204.htm

Photoshop CS4 Clipping Mask

Making a Clipping Mask is pretty easy with Photoshop CS4.

First make a selection of the area you would like to mask. Using your selection tool of choice for this post I will be using the Quick Selection tool.

Using this tool I quickly select the image of the bird.

I then open the Paths tab and click on the corner menu and select “Make Working Path”

I then choose 2.0 tolerance ( you may choose differently) and click ok

The on the paths menu you choose
Save Path – Name the path whatever or use the default – Click ok

Then on the menu you choose
Clipping path – Make sure you are clipping the correct path in the dialogue and click ok

You now have a clipping path!

Layer Mask In Photoshop CS4

Making a Mask layer is pretty easy with Photoshop CS4.

First make a selection of the area you would like to mask. Using your selection tool of choice for this post I will be using the Quick Selection tool.

Using this tool I quickly select the image of the bird.
I then open the mask tab and click on “Select Pixel Mask”

If you selected the background instead of the object to mask you many need to hit the invert button.

You now have a layer mask.

To add to or take away from that mask click on the layer and select the mask.

Using your paint brush tool you can use black to Mask more or White to remove the mask.

Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a book

If you have

















or

















I totally suggest this book! This is a great Photoshop self-teach book. I used it at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh!

Photography - Thirst

Objective:
Take a photograph that shows the emotion.

Thirst:

TIFF file format- Tagged Image File Format

Tagged Image File Format or TIFF is used for raster images. A TIFF formatted file does not support vector data. It is a flexible platform that supports high quality graphics and works very well in many different applications and environments. They are the best format choice for printed images.

Some advantages of using TIFF format are that it retains the image layers, transparency in the alpha channels, and other Photoshop features and tools while retaining quality. A JPEG format for example will flatten an image, as well as, “lose quality every time they are opened, edited and saved” (Chastain, 2010). With all the great things a TIFF format provides there is one draw “small” draw back. All the data saved takes space. This causes the TIFF files to be pretty large.

Works Cited
Chastain, Sue. "JPEG Myths and Facts." About.com Guide. Web. 4 May 2010. .

Resources:
Frank J, Romano. Pocket Guide to Digital Prepress. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning, 1996.
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/graphicformats/f/summary.htm
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatsjpeg/a/jpegmythsfacts.htm
http://www.prepressure.com/library/file-formats/tiff

Scanning Tips

Great Scanning Tips From
www.scantips.com

Unsharpen Mask Controls Function - Photoshop

The Function of the Unsharpen Mask Controls.

Threshold- "Threshold" defines the required range of contrast between adjacent pixels, before sharpening is applied to an edge.“ (Foundations of Electronic Production G322 UG, 3).Unsharpen Mask.” (Foundations of Electronic Production G322 UG, 3). It is most helpful in removing noise from an image as well as helps avoid exaggerating small details. When used correctly it will aid in making the image appear smoother. Typically the threshold is set at 0 and used between 1-5. The higher the value used, “the more areas of the tonal curve will be affected by

Radius- The radius controls the pixels on the page or “he width of the black and white lines” (Foundations of Electronic Production G322 UG, 3). It is used to increase sharpness of a blurry image by adding pixels to the image, or reduce sharpness by removing pixels from an image.

Amount- The amount is exactly that, it’s the amount or intensity of the radius and threshold that is applied to the image. Amount is usually the last adjustment made and “should be applied between 50 – 150 per cent” (Kamps, 2006). As it was stated in the lecture, “The higher the number, the stronger the effect or higher the density of the black and white lines, and vice versa for a lower number.” (Foundations of Electronic Production G322 UG, 3).

Work cited:
Foundations of Electronic Production G322 UG . Week Three Online Lecture :Unsharp Masking 4 2010
 

Kamps, Haje Jan. "Sharpen Those Photos: Unsharp Mask." Web log post. PhoSharpen Those Photos: Unsharp Mask. 4 July 2006. Web. 27 Apr. 2010. photocritic.org/unsharp-mask-sharpening-photos-photoshop/>.

Resouces:
AIO Lecture Week 3
http://photocritic.org/unsharp-mask-sharpening-photos-photoshop

Color Correction - Photoshop

There are quite a number of tools for color correction in Photoshop. Each of these tools have different effects on the image. Name at least three of these tools, along with an explanation of how these tools affect the image.

Layer Styles:
I prefer to use a color layer and layer style to change the color of an image. It works pretty well as you are not actually directly working on the image, but on a separate layer. I typically create a new layer add the color apply a mask and then change the layer style. Different layer styles do different things to the image when they are applied. When trying to change the color I would typically use the color layer style.


Adjusting the Hue:
Another easy way to adjust the color is using an adjustment layer and changing the hue. Once again I would create a mask and then go to the adjustments pallet and click on hue/saturation. Sliding the hue slider back and forth will give a rainbow of color options. At the sometime you may not be able to match a color you had in mind. For example, I have found I can’t create a Deep Dark Blue from an object that is currently red.

LAB & Levels or Curves:
Switching to LAB makes changing color through levels pretty simple. The color is only on the AB channels. Go to Image>Mode>Lab Color. Create a mask around the area you wish to adjust, then go to the adjustments pallet and choose levels or curves. Select either channel A or B to make adjustments from, jumping back and for the between the two to find the desired adjustment. Adjusting the lightness layer will make adjustments to the contrast in the image and remove the highlights and shadows.

All of these examples are great ways to make slight or major color adjustments to the image without directly changing the original. They all also will not change the contrast. The key in each example is having a good mask that will contain the adjustments to a specified area on the image.


Grayscale:
Another simple change of color is to completely remove it. Changing to Grayscale. Go to Image>Mode>Grayscale. This will completely remove the color information from the image. The image will no longer be a RGB or CMYK image.


Resources:
http://www.photoshoplab.com/change-your-car-color.html
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-698280_ITM
AIO Lecture Week 3

Photoshop - Unsharpen Mask

Here is an interesting chart for unsharp mask on


Subject                     Amount   Radius   Threshold
Soft subjects             150            1            10
Portraits                   75              2              3
Moderate sharpening 225       0.5              0
Maximum sharpening 65        4                 3
All-purpose sharpening 85        1                4


Source:
For starting values of the USM filter for different uses, try the ones suggested by PhotographyJam:
http://photocritic.org/unsharp-mask-sharpening-photos-photoshop/

Photo Repair - Photoshop

So I found a photo online that was damaged.

First I tried to use the “DAMP” method alone. But the damage was too deep. I then went back and used the clone tool to repair some of the major parts of the damage. Then I used the “DAMP method. I then applied adjustment layer with a levels adjustment as well as a brightness contrast adjustment layer and hue saturation adjustment layer.

Photo Resource:

Photo Source:  http://www.theransomcompany.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Elliot_B_2.225162507_large.jpg

Photo Retouch DAMP Method

Here is what I did to correct this photo:

1. Used the “DAMP” method to clean up the skin imperfections and graininess of the low quality photo.

2. Used an adjustment layer and corrected the levels.

3. Used an adjustment layer and corrected the curves. To remove the yellow color cast

4. Used an adjustment layer and adjusted the vibrance to make the image clearer

5. Used an adjustment layer and adjusted the color balance to reduce the yellow.

6. Used an adjustment layer and adjusted the selective color to enhance the other colors

7. Selected the lips with the quick selection tool.

8. Adjusted the Hue of the lips.

9. Used an adjustment layer and increased the brightness.

10. Save as .psd. (Layered file) then Save as .jpg

Original

Retouched

The DAMP method - Photoshop Retouch

Wow I love the retouching exercise shown in the lecture. At first I didn’t see how it worked, but now I am addicted. This is a great reason to duplicate a layer and work on a separate layer. Another reason to duplicate a layer would be when using layer styles. I make 2 and even 3 copies of layers and add different layer styles to create interesting effects. I also duplicate layers so that have the original to reference quickly without removing masks or turning off a bunch of other layers.

1. I duplicated the layer.

2. I turned off the top layer on the layers pallet.

3. I went to the bottom layer and did a Filter>Noise>Dust and Scratches, Radius 4 and Threshold 6.

4. Turned the top layer back on added a mask to it.

5. Taking the brush tool I selected the bad spots to mask out on the top image

6. I added an adjustment layer for levels and hue saturation.

7. I created a mask separating the boy from the background using the lasso tool and then cleaned it up with the brush tool.

8. I added an adjustment layer for hue and saturation to the boy adding red to his shirt and face.

Photoshop Animation

I have done quite a few Photoshop animations of the years. It is always a little difficult as I also have don’t some in flash, and remembering the limits of Photoshop animations verses flash.

Here is what I did:

1. I created a document 640x480
2. I started with my name.
3. I wanted to highlight the different sections or things in my online portfolio. So I used the same font family and designed text that comes in at different times.
4. Then I have my name fade in last. I applied a “difference” layer style to my name and changed the color to cyan.
5. Then I added a black panel that will fade in and change my name color due to the layer style.
6. Then I added “portfolio”
7. I ended up with 33 frames and quite a few tweens.
8. Save as .psd
9. And Save as gif.

Here are some links to other samples I have created.

See links for more samples:

http://spykefleming.com/portfolio.html

http://209.200.252.68/~coupon/phpadsnew/adimage.php?filename=santaanastarcenter.gif&contenttype=gif

http://clickacoupon.com/images/video.gif