Unit 1 | Introduction to Adobe Photoshop
Unit One - Overview Topics covered Assessment and Culminating Tasks
Adobe Photoshop is the cornerstone of any multimedia curriculum. It is not only one of the best known and most powerful professional software packages we use, but in addition is incredibly versatile. The range of careers that require some knowledge of this software is extensive, and always growing. Designers, concept artists, planners, photographers and artists are among the wide variety of professionals that use this tool. Photoshop is truly at the heart of digital media.
Portfolio Submissions
All completed items from this unit must be exported as JPGs and uploaded to your portfolio. The authoring files (.psd) must be saved locally in the appropriate local folder.
Your local folder structure will be assessed a mark based on how well you have followed class protocols.
Documents / Links / Activities
Important Tools / Concepts
Unit 1 Lessons
1.1. Interface tour / 3D sphere (Duration 1 class)
Using the elliptical marquee tool, the gradient tool and the brush tool, create a 3D sphere. Add a shadow on a separate layer behind the sphere.
In this lessons we will be introduced to the graphical user interface (GUI). TWe will look at the location of tools and navigate the basic interface, pointing out important concepts and tools along the way.
Once we have been familiarized with a few tools, you will create a 3D sphere using some basic tools and post the output file on your portfolio.
Watch the 3D Sphere tutorial
Key concepts: main tool bar, fly-out menus, main and sub menus, palettes, the workspace and layers.
Key tools: selection marquee, constrain modifier [shift], gradient fill,
Major concepts: Tool sub-menus, saving authoring files (.psd) and exporting output files (.jpg)
Homework 1.1: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.2a. The Clone Stamp Tool | Solid Line to Dotted Line (Duration 0.5 class)
Using the clone stamp tool, turn one of the solid lines into a dotted line ensuring that the image remain realistic.
Although we can use Photoshop to create content, like the 3D sphere in section 4.1, Photoshop’s real strength lies in altering photographic images. As an introduction to its potential, we take a look at the clone stamp tool and see how we can use this tool to modify an un-layered (flattened) static image.
Watch the Solid line to dotted line tutorial
Key concepts: brush sizes, fly-out menus, various keyboard shortcuts, history palette,
Key tools: clone stamp tool, brushes,
Homework 1.2a: Upload .jpgs to your portfolio and save your authoring files (.psds) locally, as outlined in previous lessons.
1.2b. The Clone Stamp Tool | Sea Star (Duration 0.5 class)
Using cut and paste, the clone stamp tool, transform and layers, move the sea star further into the background and repair the sand.
Using the skills you just learned, and a minor sub-menu modification, modify the sea star image.
Watch the Sea Star tutorial
Homework 1.2b: Upload .jpgs to your portfolio and save your authoring files (.psds) locally, as outlined in previous lessons.
1.3. Selection Tools (Duration 1-2 classes)
You will need to download the source file for this activity
The first step towards proficient and believable image modification is mastery of the selection tools. Here we learn how to select a portion of an image, and apply changes to that selected area. Additionally we look at, cut and paste, crop, move and some other basic concepts that make up the essentials for selections in Photoshop.
Watch the Melonman tutorial
Source file: download
Key tools: selection marquee, constrain modifier [shift], gradient fill,
Major concepts: Additive / subtractive selection, constrained selection, and modifier keys. Copy, paste and modifier keys.
Homework 1.3: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.4. Layers (Keyboard/Clock) (Duration 1 class)
Possibly the most powerful and often used functions in the Photoshop interface are layers. We will learn about stacking layers, their visibility, and more advanced tools like blending modes. Additionally we look at naming, organizing, linking, moving, and applying effects to layers.
Watch the Layers tutorial
Source file 1: download
Source file 2: download
Key tools: magic wand, gradient tool, and the text tool, layer palette, layer effects.
Major concepts: Layers, stacking and repositioning layers, opacity, blending modes, sub-menu tools
Homework 1.4: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.5. Dog Editing Challenge (Duration 1-3 classes)
There is an easy one, a medium one and a hard one. Beginning with the easy one, use your skills to finish the image as realistically as you can. Let’s begin.
Note: This is not a marked completion task, it is a bonus challenge.
Homework 1.5: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.6. Book Cover Activity (Duration 1 class)
Beginning with the original book cover, remove any elements that need to be removed to create the finished product.
This activity requires you to problem solve and think, before beginning.
Watch the Book Cover video
Source file 1: download
Source file 2: download
Note: This activity requires you to problem solve and think before beginning. Try to complete this is the smartest, most efficient manner. Make it easy for yourself!
See the final book cover here.
Homework 1.6: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.7. Masking (Non-destructive editing) (Duration 1 class)
We will learn how to use masking to create more advanced compositions. Masking falls under the umbrella of non-destructive editing, and gives us much more flexibility in our editing.
Watch the Masking tutorial
Source file 1: landscape
Source file 2: hot air balloon
Major concepts: Layers, masking, non-destructive editing
Homework 1.7: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
Unit One - Overview Topics covered Assessment and Culminating Tasks
Adobe Photoshop is the cornerstone of any multimedia curriculum. It is not only one of the best known and most powerful professional software packages we use, but in addition is incredibly versatile. The range of careers that require some knowledge of this software is extensive, and always growing. Designers, concept artists, planners, photographers and artists are among the wide variety of professionals that use this tool. Photoshop is truly at the heart of digital media.
- Understanding resolution
- Class protocols: Saving work, naming files, organizing work, naming layers
- file formats (.psd, .jpg, .png, .gif)
- file size
- RGB, CMYK, Hex values
- non-destructive editing
- transparency, masking
- Culminating Task: Movie Poster
- Theory quiz: link
Portfolio Submissions
All completed items from this unit must be exported as JPGs and uploaded to your portfolio. The authoring files (.psd) must be saved locally in the appropriate local folder.
Your local folder structure will be assessed a mark based on how well you have followed class protocols.
Documents / Links / Activities
- The Interface (top menu, toolbar, tool tips, fly-out menus, palettes)
- layers (naming, visibility, folders, arranging, layer styles)
- history palette/undo
- contextual (sub)menus
- keyboard shortcuts
- foreground / background colour
Important Tools / Concepts
- cut, copy and paste
- clone stamp
- pan / zoom
- gradients (radial gradient, linear gradient)
- selection tools
- adjustment layers
- text tool
- quick mask
- brush size / hardness
Unit 1 Lessons
1.1. Interface tour / 3D sphere (Duration 1 class)
Using the elliptical marquee tool, the gradient tool and the brush tool, create a 3D sphere. Add a shadow on a separate layer behind the sphere.
In this lessons we will be introduced to the graphical user interface (GUI). TWe will look at the location of tools and navigate the basic interface, pointing out important concepts and tools along the way.
Once we have been familiarized with a few tools, you will create a 3D sphere using some basic tools and post the output file on your portfolio.
Watch the 3D Sphere tutorial
Key concepts: main tool bar, fly-out menus, main and sub menus, palettes, the workspace and layers.
Key tools: selection marquee, constrain modifier [shift], gradient fill,
Major concepts: Tool sub-menus, saving authoring files (.psd) and exporting output files (.jpg)
Homework 1.1: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.2a. The Clone Stamp Tool | Solid Line to Dotted Line (Duration 0.5 class)
Using the clone stamp tool, turn one of the solid lines into a dotted line ensuring that the image remain realistic.
Although we can use Photoshop to create content, like the 3D sphere in section 4.1, Photoshop’s real strength lies in altering photographic images. As an introduction to its potential, we take a look at the clone stamp tool and see how we can use this tool to modify an un-layered (flattened) static image.
Watch the Solid line to dotted line tutorial
Key concepts: brush sizes, fly-out menus, various keyboard shortcuts, history palette,
Key tools: clone stamp tool, brushes,
Homework 1.2a: Upload .jpgs to your portfolio and save your authoring files (.psds) locally, as outlined in previous lessons.
1.2b. The Clone Stamp Tool | Sea Star (Duration 0.5 class)
Using cut and paste, the clone stamp tool, transform and layers, move the sea star further into the background and repair the sand.
Using the skills you just learned, and a minor sub-menu modification, modify the sea star image.
Watch the Sea Star tutorial
Homework 1.2b: Upload .jpgs to your portfolio and save your authoring files (.psds) locally, as outlined in previous lessons.
1.3. Selection Tools (Duration 1-2 classes)
You will need to download the source file for this activity
The first step towards proficient and believable image modification is mastery of the selection tools. Here we learn how to select a portion of an image, and apply changes to that selected area. Additionally we look at, cut and paste, crop, move and some other basic concepts that make up the essentials for selections in Photoshop.
Watch the Melonman tutorial
Source file: download
Key tools: selection marquee, constrain modifier [shift], gradient fill,
Major concepts: Additive / subtractive selection, constrained selection, and modifier keys. Copy, paste and modifier keys.
Homework 1.3: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.4. Layers (Keyboard/Clock) (Duration 1 class)
Possibly the most powerful and often used functions in the Photoshop interface are layers. We will learn about stacking layers, their visibility, and more advanced tools like blending modes. Additionally we look at naming, organizing, linking, moving, and applying effects to layers.
Watch the Layers tutorial
Source file 1: download
Source file 2: download
Key tools: magic wand, gradient tool, and the text tool, layer palette, layer effects.
Major concepts: Layers, stacking and repositioning layers, opacity, blending modes, sub-menu tools
Homework 1.4: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.5. Dog Editing Challenge (Duration 1-3 classes)
There is an easy one, a medium one and a hard one. Beginning with the easy one, use your skills to finish the image as realistically as you can. Let’s begin.
Note: This is not a marked completion task, it is a bonus challenge.
Homework 1.5: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.6. Book Cover Activity (Duration 1 class)
Beginning with the original book cover, remove any elements that need to be removed to create the finished product.
This activity requires you to problem solve and think, before beginning.
Watch the Book Cover video
Source file 1: download
Source file 2: download
Note: This activity requires you to problem solve and think before beginning. Try to complete this is the smartest, most efficient manner. Make it easy for yourself!
See the final book cover here.
Homework 1.6: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder
1.7. Masking (Non-destructive editing) (Duration 1 class)
We will learn how to use masking to create more advanced compositions. Masking falls under the umbrella of non-destructive editing, and gives us much more flexibility in our editing.
Watch the Masking tutorial
Source file 1: landscape
Source file 2: hot air balloon
Major concepts: Layers, masking, non-destructive editing
Homework 1.7: Upload your .jpg to your portfolio. Save your authoring file (.psd) in your local Photoshop folder