Contents

foundation module

Introduction

A structured learning approach

Supporting DVD

Research and resources

Essential information

1.What’s new for CS5

‘New and revised’ for CS5

2.Bridge

Introduction

The CS5 version of Bridge

Setting up Bridge

Using Bridge

Using Bridge to access the project resources

3.Workflow

Introduction

A few key concepts before we start…

Foundation Project 1

Image capture – Step 1

Downloading files – Step 2

Image Management – Step 3

Image processing steps

Rotating and cropping an image – Step 4

Color adjustments – Step 5

Tonal adjustments – Step 6

Cleaning an image – Step 7

Sharpening an image – Step 8

Setting Workflow Options – Step 9

Applying changes to multiple files – Step 10

Outputting processed files – Step 11

Saving, duplicating and resizing for web – Step 12

4.Raw Processing

Introduction

Processing Raw data

Foundation Project 2

Lens corrections – Step 1

Straighten, crop and size – Step 2

Color space – Step 3

Choosing a bit depth – Step 4

White balance – Step 5

Global tonal adjustments – Step 6

Controlling saturation and vibrance – Step 7

Localized correction – Step 8

Grayscale conversion and toning – Step 9

Adding special effects – Step 10

Noise reduction and sharpening – Step 11

Output options – Step 12

Foundation Project 3

Preliminary enhancements – Step 1

Add Graduated Filter effect – Step 2

Adjust the Graduated Filter effect – Step 3

Reclaim some of the filtered detail – Step 4

Add a film-like grain effect – Step 5

Digital exposure

Adjusting exposure in ACR

Foundation Project 4

Dust on the sensor – batch removal

Archiving Raw files as digital negatives

5. Digital Printing

Introduction

The problem and the solution

Prepare your print workshop

Prepare your monitor

Prepare your inkjet printer

Select appropriate color setting

Obtain a profile target

Open the profile target file in Photoshop

Assign a profile to the target file

Adjust the print settings in Photoshop

Adjust the printer settings

Create and install custom profile

Tag your images with the Adobe RGB profile

Test your color managed workflow

Make printer presets

Assessing the test print for accuracy

Preserving shadow detail

Printing using a professional laboratory

Digital Basics – DVD Chapter 1

Introduction

Channels and modes

Levels

Hue, Saturation and Brightness

Color and light overview

Bit depth

File size

File formats

Image compression

Resolution

Image size

Interpolation

Digital Darkroom – DVD Chapter 2

Digital setup

Monitor settings

Choosing a workspace

Getting started with Photoshop

Settings and preferences

Navigation and viewing modes

Rulers and guides

advanced skills module

6. Layers and Channels

Introduction

Layers overview

Layer types

Channels

Adjustment and filter layers and editing quality

Layer masks and editing adjustments

7. Selections

Introduction

Selection Tools overview

Shape-based selections with the Marquee Tools

Drawn selections using the Lasso Tools

Customizing your selections

Refining selections

Refine Edge in action

Saving and loading selections

Feather and anti-alias

Defringe and Matting

Quick Mask or Refine Edge

‘Color Range’

Channel masking

Tone-based selections and masks

Selections from paths

8. Filters

Filtering in Photoshop

The ‘Smart’ way to filter

The Filter Gallery

Fade Filter command

Improving filter performance

Installing and using third party filters

Filtering a shape or text (vector) layer

The great filter round-up

Liquify filter

Vanishing Point

Blur filters

Correcting lens distortion with filters

Noise filters

Sharpen filters

Texture filters

Other filters

Filter DIY

9. Layer Blends

Introduction

The ‘Darken’ group

The ‘Lighten’ group

The ‘Overlay’ group

Difference and Exclusion

Hue, Saturation and Color

Luminosity

imaging projects module

Retouching Projects

Basic Adjustments – Project 1

Correcting perspective – Project 2

Working spaces – Project 3

Clone and stamp – Project 4

Gradients and vignettes – Project 5

Advanced sharpening techniques – Project 6

Replace color and tone – Project 7

Montage Projects

Layer masks – Project 1

Paths, masks and blend modes – Project 2

Extracting hair – Project 3

Replacing a sky – Project 4

Studio and location composite – Project 5

Replacing a studio background – Project 6

Advanced Retouching

Black and white – Project 1

Manipulating tone and color – Project 2

Enhancing detail and depth – Project 3

Lens Blur – Project 4

Faux styles – Project 5

Surface Blur – Project 6

Smooth tone and tonal mapping – Project 7

High Dynamic Range (HDR) – Project 8

HDR – problems and solutions

Time Lapse photography – Project 9

Align and Blend Projects

Composite lighting and action – Project 1

Photomerge – Project 2

Vertical panoramas – Project 3

Glossary

Keyboard Shortcuts

Web Links

Index

Contents DVD

The DVD is a veritable treasure trove of supporting files for the projects in this book as well as a resource for your own creative projects. The images and movies on the DVD are divided into their respective chapters and can be accessed via Bridge (see Bridge > page 45). Most of the images in the Foundation and Advanced Skills modules of the book can be found on the DVD together with all of the images from the Imaging Projects module. The movies are an invaluable resource, allowing you to start, stop and rewind so that the skills can be quickly and easily acquired at your own pace. The DVD also contains multi-layered image files (PSDs) of the completed projects, TIFF files with saved selections and Camera Raw files. Loadable Actions and Presets are also available to enhance your software, together with a rich stock library of royalty-free images.

Contents

THE DVD PROVIDES EXTENSIVe SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF:

• Over twelve hours of movie tutorials to guide you through all of the projects in this book. You may need to install the QuickTime movie player from the supporting DVD to watch the movies.
• Digital Basics and Digital Darkroom chapters in PDF file format.
• High-resolution, high-quality JPEG images to support the imaging projects.
• Full-resolution TIFF images with ‘saved selections’ for users interested in completing the projects in the least amount of time whilst achieving maximum quality.
• Camera Raw files.
• Multi-layered Photoshop documents (PSD files) of completed projects.
• A stock library of 100 high-resolution, royalty-free images for creative montage work.
• Adobe presets (Layer Styles, Custom Shapes and Gradients) to enhance the performance capabilities of your Adobe Photoshop software.
• Photoshop Action files to fast-track your workflows and editing tasks.
• Printable PDF file of keyboard shortcuts to act as a quick and handy reference guide to speed up your image-editing tasks.