Synopsis

Welcome to the Photoshop techniques workshop. For a long time, visuals has been a significant ingredient of instruction. A notable characteristic of courseware of strong pedagogical rigor has been one that uses visuals (as text supplement) that enhances learner's understanding of a specific knowldege domain. Tan & Wong, 2003. pg 145 points out that "visuals are communication devices that serve as concrete referents to the spoken or written word." The types of visuals vary in instructional materials - from "representational, analogical to arbitrary" (Gropper, 1963; Knowlton, 1966). Although the amount of realism in representational pictures, described by Dwyer (1978) "can portray information directly or indirectly" (Instructional Science 13. 1984. pgs 63-77)), it doesn't necessarily mean that it is any more effective for instruction than abstract pictures, such as line or schematic diagrams. Wileman (1980) refers this as the abstractness - concreteness continuum. Since the birth of digital imagery tools such as Photoshop, the possibilities of digital image manipulation and support for instruction have been note-worthy.

The Photoshop techniques workshop introduces you rudimentary image editing and photo-retouching techniques for use as instructional media on print and on the Web with the Photoshop program.

Pre-requisite

No programming knowledge is necessary but the basic knowledge if Windows will be necessary.

 

Duration

No predefined duration but you can expect to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes attempting each hands-on tutorial. There is no need to complete all tutorial in a single session. You can attempt one exercise each time and return for more. As subsequent tutorial calls for knowledge learnt and skill acquired in previous tutorials, you are advised to take short breaks in between.

 

Learning Goal

At the end of the workshop, learners should be able to apply typical image editing and photo retouching techniques to prepare static visuals for the Web.

Learning Objectives

1.   To explain what are digital pixels through Discrete Units, Location-
     Area, Value and Bit Resolution;

2.   To explain the concept of the digital colour  system;

3.   Identify the different parts of the Photoshop work area;

4.  Make selections of images with the Lasso Tool, Magnetic Laso Tool,       Rectangular, Elliptical Marquee Tool;

5.   Touch up scanned images that consist of pencil strokes;

6.   Apply fill to selected areas;

7.   Apply filter effects to fill areas;

8.   Create, edit and save gradient fills;

9.   Create and edit objects with preset brush profiles;

10.  Apply text and create text effects through layer Blendling Options;

11.  Remove colour cast in black and white images;

11.  Improve the tonal balance of black and white images with the Levels        Command;

12.  Remove the colour cast in colour images;

13.  Improve the colour and tonal balance with the Curves Command;

14.  Repair torned images by extension through cloning and pasting pixels;

15.  Correct undesired textures through cloning and pasting;

16.  Apply effects to images with the Liquify Command;

17.  Create, edit, store and load a mask;

18.  Select frayed objects with the Extract Command;

      This section ends.