Background

The Photo Editing short course is for anyone who is interested in learning how to edit  photographs. Students will not only learn how to correct flaws and common to digital photography but also how to enhance photographs, giving them more impact. 

The course will begin with the student learning how to correct common photographic mistakes and problems and how to improve photographs that are already acceptable. From there on the we will deal with image corrections and creative  techniques that are more complex. The course concerns itself with editing photographs  but many of the techniques learned can be applied to digital graphics as well. Classes will consist of lectures and exercises with provided sample images.

Lessons will be taught using the latest version of the industry leading Adobe Photoshop program.

Topics covered will include :  The Photoshop interface (what exactly the user sees onscreen – palettes, tools, program interface), the Adobe bridge file browser, basic photo fixes and adjustments, Image (re)sizing and resolution, preparing images for web or email, different file-types, their strengths and weaknesses, layers, RAW files, automating actions for large batches of files with Photoshop actions, panoramas, retouching and reparing and editing for creative results.

Students will need : While the course can be completed on City Varsity computers, owning a computer capable of running Photoshop CS5 will allow the student to practice at home. A USB flash drive will enable students to receive sample files and other media.

Session 1: 

The Photoshop interface ( breakdown of what exactly the user sees onscreen – palettes, tools, program interface).

Uploading images from camera, usb flash, DC/DVD or other media.

Opening + saving files correctly.

The photoshop toolbox.

Adjusting exposure/tone.

Cropping.

Layers and history.

Session 2:

More about the program interface.

Colour adjustments.

Tool options.

Session 3:  

Image (re)sizing and resolution.

Preparing images for web or email.

Different file-types, their strengths and weaknesses.

Session 4: 

Retouching and repairing basics.

Session 5:   

Selections.

Transforming and distorting.

Filters.

Session 6: 

Masking and partial adjustments..

Adjustment layers.

Blending modes.

Session 7:  

Adobe bridge.

Automating for large batches of files with Photoshop actions.

Photomerge.

Session 8:   

The camera Raw interface : How to edit RAW files using the camera raw module – an integral part of digital photo editing.

Also : Camera raw plugin, from raw to photoshop, Camera Raw/Photoshop preferences

Session 9:   

Adobe Lightroom.