Intermediate/Advanced Photoshop:  Class 2

1.  Review
  • When would you use the Color Range command vs Magic Wand?
  • What are the benefits to using the Alpha Channel?
  • What is the Pen Tool?
  • What are Paths?
  • What are artifacts?
2.  In-Class Exercises
3.  Key terms/concepts
  • Transparency - With the exception of “Background” layers (which are not transparent), image layers consist of opaque pixels against a transparent background. The transparent areas of a layer are represented by a gray and white checkerboard pattern.
  • Dodging - lighten specific areas of a photo by increasing the exposure in those areas.
  • Burning - darken specific areas of a photo by limiting the exposure in those areas.
  • Guassian Blur - is the result of blurring an image by a Gaussian function. It is a widely used effect in graphics software, typically to reduce image noise and reduce detail.
  • Displacement Map - a brilliant technique that will wrap your art around objects and (seemingly) magically make it hug every contour!  Displacement Maps look at the luminosity values (lights and darks) in the displacement map image, and then alters the pixels of the image you wish to modify. A value of 50% gray will have no effect. Any values lighter than 50% will bend pixels up and to the left. Values darker than 50% will bend pixels down and to the right.
  • Overlay - by far the most popular and often used blending mode because it makes dark areas become darker and light areas become lighter and can fix an image that has poor contrast.
  • Multiply - all white pixels in the blended layer disappear.  it darkens the lower layer based on the darkness of the upper layer
  • Screen - opposite of multiply; it brightens by lighting the lower layer based on the lightness of the upper layer. 
  • Liquify Filter - allows you to push, pull, rotate, reflect, pucker, and bloat the pixels of any image.  The distortions you create can be subtle or drastic, which makes the Liquify command a powerful tool for retouching images as well as creating artistic effects. 
  • Clipping Mask - a group of layers to which a mask is applied. The bottommost layer, or base layer, defines the visible boundaries of the entire layer above it. 
4.  Prezi
  • You can access the Prezi by clicking the link below.  Then, you can then use the left and right arrow keys to move forward and backward through the "slides".  
           Brush Basics!
TEXTBOOK
  • Is recommended, but not required
  • Available in college bookstore

SESSIONS
  • 4 sessions
  • Campus map can be found here.