Introduction to Photoshop

What is Photoshop? Photoshop is a photo-editing software, used to alter or create images. In the case of our A2 Media Portfolios, we are using Photoshop to create our digipaks and CD Album Covers. Photoshop can be used in a number of different ways, whether to superimpose one image on top of another or create our own pictures from scratch. As such, we were taught a number of basic functions to start our understanding as to how the software works, so that from such a basic starting point, we can later progress on to become skilled 'Photoshoppers' in our own right.

"It's a skill, not a program": It was stressed to us early on that no matter how well we come to learn the software and its tools, or how familiar we are with how everything works, ultimately our work and final products will only be of a high standard through practise. The art of Photoshop is a skill which can only be mastered through dedicated trial and error. Just reading through the Photoshop handbook will offer us little support as to how good we are at using the equipment - that can only be achieved through experimenting with it.

The function of basic tools: As part of our small taster/introduction to Photoshop, we were introduced to a handful of fundamental tools such as 'lasso', 'move', 'select', and the 'menu' options (such as 'file', 'edit', and 'window').

The lasso tool is used to create free-hand selections (i.e. not to a restricted shape like a rectangle), and there are three variations to it: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso and Magnetic Lasso. The usual lasso tool selects whatever shape the user drags their mouse around (but can be better controlled through holding down the 'Alt' button), the polygonal lasso only selects on each click, following straight lines, and the magnetic lasso automatically determines what the user is trying to select based on distinguishable shapes - however, as it is a computer, it can not always determine between foreground and background and thus often gets confused.

The move tool quite simply allows the user to move whatever they have selected around the screen.

The select tool is similar to the lasso tool, but restricted to only selecting certain shapes, such as a rectangle, square, column or circle.

The menu tools are a row of drop down options where more detailed functions can be explored. 'File' is where the actual document/photograph's features can be explored; 'Edit' is the list of transformations which can be applied to the image, such as Warp and Scale, for example; and 'Window' is what can actually be seen on screen.

What are layers?: In graphics software, a layer is the term used to describe the different levels at which you can place an object or image file. In Photoshop you can stack, merge or define layers when creating a digital image; they can be partially obscured, allowing portions of images within a layer to be hidden or shown in a translucent manner within another image, or you can use layers to combine two or more images into a single digital image. For the purpose of editing, working with layers allowed you to go back and make changes within a layer as you work.

- paraphrased from webopedia.

Why should rough sketches be done on paper before starting Photoshop?: Rough sketches should be done on paper before starting Photoshop for a number of reasons, but mainly so that an idea can be finalised before too much work has gone into it and mistakes are made.

Do's and Don't Tips:

• Photoshop is something which one can only improve at through practise. The best way to get good at it is to watch youtube tutorials and just experiment by oneself through trial and error.
• There is no point reading up on what each tool does; the most effective thing is to do is to just get involved and mess around with what functions Photoshop can perform.
• When creating an image, good planning is fundamental. Don't just improvise.
• Simplicity is your best friend.
• Technically, any image is possible.
• When composing images, the rule of thirds should be obeyed.