Download 1 - ASU JMC 305

Introduction to Photoshop
Altering photos 1 pixel at a time
What is a pixel?
- Unit of measurement
- Smallest piece of information in a picture
- Sometimes referred to as a dot (DPI)
Web resolution
The resolution of photos on the Web is 72dpi (dots per inch)
There are 3 different file types most
often used on the Web:
- JPG
- GIF
- PNG
What is a GIF (Graphics Interchange
Format)?
- 8-bit graphic limited to 256 web colors or less.
- Best used with graphics (not photos)
- Can have transparent backgrounds
- Can be animated (multiple frames)
What is a JPEG (Joint Photographic
Experts Group)?
- You can create images using all 16.7 million colors
- An image that has been compressed for the Web, Low,
Medium, High, Very High, Maximum.
- Best used with photographs or other images using a wide
spectrum of color
- Can leave compression artifacts
- This is the format you want to save photos for the Web
- No difference between files saved as .jpg or .jpeg, although
.jpg is more common.
What is a PNG (Portable Network
Graphics Format)?
- An option for newer browsers (IE)
- Has better compression and uses millions of colors
- Can have several transparent colors
- Variations of transparency
Big >> small
Small >> big
Cropping photos
Cropping is decreasing the size of photo height, width and/or
resolution.
1) To crop to a specific height or width: Use the crop tool
Step 1 - Cropping photos
Decreasing the size of photo height,
width and/or resolution
Cropping photo by size
1) To crop to a specific width: Use the crop tool
Cropping photos by shape
2) To crop to a specific shape use the rectangular selection
tool:
Select the area you'd like to crop with the select tool and
choose "Crop" from under the "Image" menu
Step 2 - Sharpening photos
Making things clearer
Sharpen photos
If photos aren't as crisp and clear as you'd like, try sharpening
the photo.
Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen OR Sharpen edges
NOTE: Don't do this too many times or it will distort your photo.
Color correcting photos
To do an overall color correct, go to Image > Adjustments >
Levels > Auto
To manually manipulate colors, you can either use curves or
color balance under the Image menu.
Step 3 - Saving photos
Saving for print and online
Saving for the Web
File >> Save for Web & devices
JPG artifacts
Keep the proportion of the photo
Changing the proportion of a photo alters the credibility
Uploading and sharing your photos in
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Create an account at https://picasaweb.google.com. Or log
into your ASU e-mail, and then navigate to the URL and
create a Picasa account that’s tied to your e-mail address.
From the Home screen, click on the “upload” button at the
top middle of the window.
Type in a name for your album, and either drag photos
directly from your computer into the window, or hit the
“Select photos from your computer” button. You can select
multiple photos at once by holding down the “Command”
key.
When you upload the photos, you’ll have the option to add
captions by clicking “Add Caption” just below each photo.
Uploading and sharing your photos in
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Hit “OK” at the bottom-right of the window to create the
album.
Once you’ve created the album, you can access it by
clicking on “My Photos”, and selecting the album you want.
Once you’re in the album, click the “Slideshow” button in the
upper left to preview what the photo story will look like.
If you want to add more photos, simply click on “Add photos”
when you’re inside the album.
When you’re done with it, click on the “Share” button, and
include that link in your social-media pitch.
Photo assignment continued...
- Crop your 5 photos to be 500 pixels by 350 pixels wide.
- Color correct and sharpen them.
- Upload them to a photo-sharing website.
- Use the tool for whichever website you choose to create a
slideshow, with complete cutlines.
- Submit pitches with links to assignment via social media.