A Brief and Simple Introduction to LAB Color Mode

This section tackles some of the basic stuff about LAB color mode and you have the option to skip it and proceed to the practical technique and steps involved in using LAB. However, this section is a must read if you need to strengthen your basic understanding of the theory before you start learning about the more advanced aspects of the applications.

So, what are the basic differences between RGB and LAB? Most of us are already aware that we have 3 color channels in the RGB color mode – Red, Green and Blue. These channels are combined to form the colors that comprise the RGB color wheel. Green and red are combined to produce the color yellow, blue and green are combined to produce the color cyan and red and blue to produce the color magenta.

Improve Photos with LAB Color Mode (1) – LAB color mode consists of 3 color channels: luminosity channel, green-magenta channel and blue-yellow channel. The Luminosity or “L” channel contains all the essential information on luminosity and it is generally referred to as the B & W version of the photo. On the other hand, the “A” channel contains all the greens and magentas of the photo while the “B” channel contains all the blues and yellows.

You may be wondering what happened to the channel for red cyan. There is no channel in LAB for red cyan as these colors are produced when the channels “A” and “B” are combined. Red is obtained when the same amounts of yellow and magenta in channels “A” and “B” are combined while the color cyan is obtained when magenta and green of equal amounts in channels “A” and “B” are combined.

Improve Photos with LAB Color Mode (2) – It would be easy for us to observe that the colors are somewhat not right. The blue color is a bit too close to cyan; the green color has this “cyanish” look while the yellow color has a distinctive brownish element.

The reason for this is that the LAB color mode is specially designed for the reproduction of colors in the manner that these are seen by humans while the RGB color mode is designed in the manner machines see these colors. It is related to the simultaneous contrast and the manner by which specific colors are perceived and judged based on the actual colors around them. While this is not a precise description of the LAB color mode, this should be enough to get us started. To learn more about the technical aspect of the LAB color mode, you need to check out the article on the subject at Wikipedia.

5 Simple Steps in Photo Enhancement

Begin by selecting a photo that requires some degree of enhancing and open it using Photoshop. A photo that is ideal for this activity should be fairly dark with light bluish color cast and somewhat bland colors. It is highly recommended that you initially do what is referred to as a “channel walk” and evaluate how the color channels look. Come up with a few color samples in the lightest and darkest spots of the image and try to determine whether there is a color cast or not. These steps may require some time and for our purposes, let us assume that we have about 3 minutes to correct the color and improve our image.

Now, let us go on and LAB our picture.

Step #1 – Go to Image/Mode/Lab Color

There shouldn’t be any change in the picture

Step #2 – Go to Layers/New Adjustment Layer/Curves

There may be some variances in the histogram of channel for lightness, but you can follow these guidelines.

Make an “S-Curve.” Create a point by clicking an area on the upper section of the histogram and dragging it upwards. Then create another point on the lower section of the histogram and drag it in a downward direction. Make sure that you don’t go overboard when making the adjustments in the highlights (upper section) and the shadows (lower section) of the histogram. You must aim for a perfect balance in the distribution of a balanced tone, where there are equal amounts of shadow and light.

The creation of an “S-Curve” results in more contrast to the middle tones, while the shadows and highlights are flattened. Carefully examine the histogram and when there is an empty space at the right side, drag the slider for the highlights up to the point where it is positioned right under the histogram values. This action will in effect establish the white point and add to the contrast of the middle tones. You can also adopt the same procedure for the shadow slider, but you have to make sure that you do it on a lesser extent as this would produce ugly black artifacts.

Shift to “a” channel and then drag the right and left slider towards the center making sure that the adjustments are of equal amounts. It would be of great help if you are able to obtain a grid that is more detailed. Drag the sliders until you reach the first vertical line and then shift to “b” channel and go through the same process.

Step #3 – Transform the “background” layer to smart object

You can achieve this objective by right clicking the layer and choosing the control “convert to smart object.”

Step #4 – Go to Filter/Blur/Surface Blur

Designate high values. You have to remember that a high radius and threshold value would result in more blur. There is no reason to worry if you get an image that looks blurry as this can be easily fixed. Find the little icon towards the right of the smart filter for the surface blur and right click it in order to activate the blending options. Then choose the color for the blending mode. This procedure will effectively reduce or remove any color fringing or color noise from the image.

Step #5 – Go to Filter/Other/High Pass

Apply a small radius up to the point where the details are about to emerge from the gray section. Then double click the icon for the blending options and convert the blend mode into soft light.

An alternative procedure involves the use of an Unsharp Mask or a Smart Sharpen and then change the blend mode to luminosity. This procedure applies the sharpening exclusively on the luminosity channel, leaving the color channels free of noise. You may opt not to use these filters on the image as there is the tendency that it would add noise to an image that is already noisy. This is the ideal option if, in your assessment, the degree of clarity obtained through the High Pass Filter is enough already. On the other hand, if you have an image that is blurry, then you may apply some degree of sharpening using the filters cited above, and don’t forget to shift your blending mode to luminosity when you perform this procedure.

The steps discussed in this article are much easier and faster as soon as you get the hang of the entire process. A person who is already familiar with these steps can complete the entire process of transforming a relatively bland picture into an image that is pretty decent looking in about 3 minutes.

You can start using the LAB color mode and gradually integrate it into your regular workflow. You have to remember that the procedure that was discussed in this article is not absolute when it comes to photo enhancement. Try to adapt it so that it would suit your needs and make those images look great in just a few minutes. M.A.H.

There are tools that you can use when you want to select an entire area within an image. The desired results can be achieved by using any of the following:

• Magic wand
• New layers
• Grouping layers
• Layer mask

Making Selections Using the Magic Wand

By itself, the magic wand will not be able to separate an item or area. If you have made a selection using the magic wand and performed the desired adjustments, such as curves adjustment, or use the paint brush, only the area or portion that you have selected will be affected. However, such adjustment or change will result in the permanent alteration of the information for that portion or area. It would be better if you use an adjustment layer for the selection or make a new layer of the specific selection.

Fundamental Operation

You should begin the task by making sure that you have the right tool for the job. You can choose the appropriate tool by selecting it from the tool palette or using the keyboard command (Type W). Once you have engaged the selected tool, the icon of the selected tool is depressed and shaded, which means that the said tool is active.

As soon as you select the Wand tool, the next thing that you will do is “mark out” the section or area of the same color density. When you click on a section of the image using the Wand tool, the application will automatically create a feathered selection which will cover the adjacent pixels with the same color values as the one that you have clicked. You can control the degree by which the similarity of the pixels will be established by working on the fill-box which is referred to as Tolerance. It is located somewhere at the top of the screen.

You can use the anti-aliased to control the application so that there are no defined and hard lines and as such it automatically feathers your selection. When you select Contiguous, the select tool will only pick out pixels that are similar but only when these pixels are located right next to the one that you have clicked. On the other hand, if the Photoshop tool is not activated, then it will pick out parts of the images that have the same pixels.

When you engage “Use All Layers,” the tool will make the selection on all the layers and not just on that layer that you are currently working on. This is also a nifty way of activating other tools like the “Rubber Stamp” tool.

You can make the necessary adjustments in the “Tolerance” until the desired selection is obtained, and once you have achieved this, you can now move on and use the selection techniques in order for you to make the finer adjustments to what you’ve already worked on.

Grow

You can increase the size of the current selection by proceeding to Select/Grow. This modification is useful, although it only works off from the current layer that you are working on. Thus, you are better off when you use the “wand” tool and adjusting the “Tolerance” tool.

Similar

This modification technique, which is activated when you click Select/Similar, is actually a very useful Photoshop tool. This technique is somewhat similar to the “Contiguous” tool when you were making your first selection. It picks out areas or portions of the image that are similar and it is only applied on the layer that you are currently working on.

Feather

The “Feather” is generally the same as the original option in the “Wand” tool. However, it is a useful modification tool even in cases where its counterpart is used to begin a particular task. The “Feather” is generally similar to “Anti-aliased” although it offers more control and you can even use it to enhance the job done using the “Anti-aliased” where hard and defined lines are prevented. The modification is engaged by proceeding to Select/Feather, and it gives you the option of designating the radius of the pixel of your feathering. M.A.H.

Adjustment Layers

Throughout this Photoshop tutorial series, we will be dealing with various exposure and color adjustment methods. These Photoshop tools are accessed and used as an adjustment layer. Most of the available image adjustments at Image/Adjustments/ can also be accessed as adjustment layers.

These adjustments are potent tools of Photoshop, and when you use them, you are actually making permanent or irreversible changes to the image. For instance, you are actually suppressing the green component of the image when you integrate Magenta into the image. Once the change has been executed, the old information is completely gone, and this is replaced by the new information that was interpolated.

In the event that you want to revert back to the original state of the image, you can only do this if you interpolate it back. Interpolation refers to the application (in this article, it is Photoshop) that is used to mathematically contract or compress the image’s old information, and designate the values for the new image.

Every time an interpolation happens, the information comes off with lesser quality, and after several generations, you will end up with an image of poorer quality.

So, what would be the ideal workaround to this limitation? It would obviously be adjustment layers. With adjustment layers, you can achieve the same thing as in the normal image adjustment. However, you are actually “separating” those changes from the original image so that you are in effect not altering any information on the original image.

You can achieve this when you create a new layer mask which is attached to the adjustments.

To access any of the adjustment layers, you either select the icon for the adjustment layer from the Layers Palette or proceed to the Layer/New Adjustment Layer/ and choose one. Whatever adjustment you pick, this will be displayed as a control panel which can be adjusted anytime, and once it is applied, it automatically becomes an additional layer.

One of the great things about adjustment layers is that such function somewhat “saves” the adjustments that you make. The practice in the past was to make notes about the adjustments made on the color balance or saturation in obtaining the desired result. This tedious process is no longer required. The adjustment layer will no longer revert back to the zero values and it remains the same and retains the last information that has been applied. You also have the option of reopening and making further adjustments on them anytime you find the need for them. This can be accomplished by simply clicking the icon for adjustment.

BONUS Tip – Since the adjustment layers are in effect “juxtaposed” with a layer mask, one where everything is revealed, you can perform “selective” erasing on the applications of the subject adjustment in specific sections of the image. You can do this by painting on the layer mask that is attached every time you don’t want to access and use the adjustment application.

You also have the option of applying black paint with varying opacities, and when you do this, you are actually reducing the opacity of your adjustment layer in that section or part of the image.

Merging Layers

If you know very little or none at all about merging layers, then this section of our Photoshop tutorial series is a must read.

Background Setting – The unlocking of the background is considered as one of the most important steps. You have to remember that you will not be able to move the background if it is not redefined as a layer. The background unlocking can be achieved by simply double-clicking it. You have the option of retaining its designation as background, although the default name for Photoshop for this purpose is “layer 0.”

Once you redefine as a layer your default background, you not only get the option of setting layers below it but achieve transparency of such layers as well. Typically, if you have a background and want to erase it or increase the size of the canvas, what will be displayed is the color of the background displayed on the color palette, whatever that color is. This information may not appear to be relevant to merging, but a clear understanding on how to redefine the background can save you from getting into all sorts of troubles when merging layers.

Merging Down – There are situations where you will find the need to combine or merge 2 layers into a composite single layer so that any adjustments that you make which are not considered layer adjustments will be applied to the 2 layers that have been combined or merged.

Important REMINDER- The merging down of layers is irreversible and the two layers are inseparably connected.

If you need to create a new layer where you can toy around with various design ideas and concepts while maintaining the original layers, then you need to learn how to work with Merging Visible.

Another instance where you will need to merge layers is when you want to set a style or an item that is vector-based. Vector-based items include type as well as shapes that are drawn using Photoshop. These items are made of vectors, and these are rasterized only when one is not working on the layers. A vector image is the opposite of a bitmap or rasterized image. Thus, some of the Photoshop tools cannot be used effectively on it. In such a case, a new layer can be created which is a transparent layer by default.

The Merge Down function can be accessed through Layer/Merge Down or by clicking the arrow symbol found on the Layer Palette’s upper right hand corner.

Merging Visible – A simple Merge Visible will not have separate layers, and as the term implies, this function merges all visible layers into a single layer, which is also inseparable. Merge Visible is found in the same place where the Merge Down is located. It can also be activated through the following keyboard commands:

•    For Mac users – command-shift-E
•    For PC users – CTRL-shift-E

Important Reminder – Option-clicking (for Mac users) or Alt-clicking (for PC users) on the “eyecon” of the layer will automatically hide the other layers, and when you repeat the same action, the hidden layer is shown again. This keyboard command is useful in case you want to merge some of the involved layers while hiding the majority of the layers in an instant. It may be helpful if you are able to see how far you have gone in your adjustments when you have several layers over your background image.

Advanced Merge Visible – This is definitely the best way to do the merging of layers. This technique will allow you to make a new layer derived from all the other layers that are visible and over the background image.

You can merge all the layers that are visible into a single layer, but this procedure will result to the loss of the layer’s solidarity. A better alternative would be the creation of a new layer, which is transparent and blank by default.

To copy the other layers and merge the information of the layers onto the newly created layer, you select the new layer and on the top of the layer stack, press the option (for Mac users) or alt key (for PC users), while the Merge Visible is selected.

In most instances, this newly created layer is placed on the top of the layer stack. This should be the case when adjustment layers are involved. The main reason for this is that the visible layers, which include the adjustment layers, if there are any, are merged or combined with the new layer without losing their respective information. In case you create this new layer and it is not placed over the adjustment layer, then this newly created and merged layer will be receiving the same set of information on the visible layers twice.

Once you have this newly created and merged layer, you are able to make the required adjustments to all the merged layers instantly. You may also copy the layer and such action will also automatically copy all the layers without flattening. SB

There are a lot of things that we have to learn about layers, and we need to spend some time before we can be considered a “layers guru.” However, it is not really difficult to learn the basics, and you can easily work your way through and gradually increase your level of competency on this particular Photoshop functionality.

In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn the basic concept about layers and cover the main features of the Photoshop functionality. You will also get several important tips along the way so that you will be able to use the layers with ease.

Photoshop Layers – An Overview

The layers are basically transparencies that are stacked on top of each other. Imagine having a piece of paper that is painted in red and you place on top of it a transparency with a circle on the center painted in yellow. Now, take another transparency painted with some blue streaks and place the transparency on top of the first transparency. So far, you now have a red background and 2 layers in yellow and blue.

Even if you are confident that you are familiar with the important aspects of layers, this article is still a must read. You must also take note of the useful tips that are included in this article. You may be a bit hesitant to learn how to use layers in Photoshop, but once you get your feet wet, then you will discover the power and potential of this Photoshop functionality.

While layers can result in larger files, this Photoshop functionality allows you to separate various segments or parts of an image and make adjustments to specific portions while retaining the ability to revert back to the original image or prior state. This means that you can use layers to alter an image without doing any permanent change or modification to your original image.

Layer Masks

Layer masks are applied to individual layers, and it is displayed as a thumbnail in the layers palette and linked to the thumbnail of the individual layers. This Photoshop functionality is used to establish the level of a particular layer that you want to be visible. If you don’t define the degree of visibility of an area or areas within that layer, then such areas become transparent.

The thumbnail of the layer mask in the layers palette is either pure black or pure white or any degree of combination of white and black. An area or areas within the layer that are pure white are 100 percent visible, while the area or areas that are pure black are 100 percent invisible.

There are times when you want to obtain various degrees of gray in specific areas of the mask layer. This means that such gray areas are not completely transparent or visible. In this particular case, such areas generally have a decreased level of opacity, and it is a condition that is characterized by lower opacity, but it is now limited to a specific area or areas of the layer.

You can access the layer mask from the Layers – Add Layer Mask – Hide All or Layers – Add Layer Mask – Reveal All. You get a pure white layer mask when you select “Reveal All,” and you get a pure black layer mask when you select “Hide All.” There is also a fast way to access and utilize the mask, and this is clicking the designated icon for Layer Mask at the bottom part of the Layers Palette.

If you are using any of the selection tools and you pick a particular area of a layer, that selected area will become pure white on the layer mask, and the other areas that have not been selected will become black. Additionally, you can also use the paint tool to paint white and black on the layer mask. However, you have to make sure that you are actually painting on the layer mask. When you use the paint tool to paint white or black, you are actually “erasing” the portion or area of the layer. You have to make sure that your paintbrush is on normal mode when “painting” on the layer mask. You can use paintbrushes with lower opacity or paintbrushes with soft edges if you want to obtain feathered edges within that layer.

Opacity

The ability to do overlays of objects and images is one of the most potent Photoshop functionalities. In addition to this, you can also modify the opacity of any or all of the existing layers or make selective changes in the opacity of specific parts of a particular layer.

The opacity is a relatively straightforward Photoshop option and is located on the upper part of the right portion of the Layers palette. The opacity value ranges from a low 0 percent to as high as 100 percent opacity. This option is extremely useful when you are working with color adjustments, sharpness, etc.

The main objective is for you to make a duplicate copy of the Background and make the desired modifications and adjustments – blurring, sharpening, exposure, contrast and color. Layers are also used when you make any alteration or modification in the adjustment layer. Once you have completed the adjusted layer either through the adjustment layer or duplicated layer, then you should go several steps further. This means that you go several steps further than you should when it comes to the blurriness, sharpness, saturation and giving it more than you would actually need.

Now, you only need to go to the opacity of the layer that you are working on and make the appropriate adjustment, either down or up, and you will essentially be making the desired adjustment on that layer.
M.A.H.

Several experts agree that this specific version of Photoshop has raised the standards of high-end graphics editing, video recording, photo cropping and formatting. It is a highly recommended solution for engineers, scientists, graphic artists, medical researchers, web designers, graphic artists and architects. If you are looking for an upgraded version of Photoshop, then this edition is definitely your ideal choice. Photoshop CS5 is all about the enjoyable experience in photo and video editing as it offers a great composite collection which is easy to use and a set of applications that helps you do all the essential editing jobs like the professionals do. Photoshop CS5 is specifically targeting the movie publishers and editors as well as amateur photography buffs.

Here are the key features of Photoshop CS5.

Smart Editing and Cropping Applications

You can easily achieve the level of perfection that you want to obtain in your video and photo editing through the smart editing and cropping applications of Photoshop CS5. This is definitely the wise choice when it comes to shades modification, perfecting and clouding of specific spots of your graphics and image resolution correction. This editing tool is packed with a lot of functions and applications that you can use when doing all sorts of modifications imaginable. In fact, some sectors go to the extent of declaring it as one of the better Photoshop versions when it comes to video editing and cropping.

Sketching and Painting Applications

Photoshop CS5 comes with a wide array of artistic and creative paint configurations, drawing applications and paint brushes and with this wide selection, you can easily attain the degree of excellence and elegance that you want to achieve in your editing project. You can effortlessly transform ordinary looking pictures into high quality images using these set of easy to access paint brushes and paint configurations.

Edge Selection and Refining Tools

Photoshop CS5 offers a simpler and easier way to pick an area in your picture and you can actually use the refining highlights of this editing tool to pick any specific spot of the actual picture by a simple mouse click to achieve the level of perfection never seen before.

Compositing Function of Adobe CS5

This special feature of Adobe CS5 provides users with the ability to easily and seamlessly line up the elements within the picture in order to highlight specific impressions.

Improved Printing Quality

You can use the advanced coloring function of Photoshop CS5 to add life to an ordinary photograph. And with the wide array of print options and the print preview window of this Photoshop version, you will be able to produce a print quality that is at par with or even better than those produced by the professionals.
M.A.H.

Why Choose Photoshop

Photoshop is a popular digital photo editing software which you can use to enhance or repair your digital pictures. With Adobe Photoshop, you will be able to edit your pictures, using a wide range of applications, so that you are able to inject a professional appeal to them.

Photoshop is used by amateur and professional photographers to modify, enhance, edit and restore plain and original digital photos and transform them into something that is stylish and appropriate for our specific requirements and use. If you want to create a material that is good enough for your presentation or inclusion to periodicals and product folders, then it is imperative that you use Photoshop in order to enhance your pictures.

Photoshop Makes the Photo Shoot Simple and Easy

With this advanced photo editing software you will no longer have to obtain the advance skills of a professional photographer in order to create pictures like the professionals do. In fact, you would not find the necessity to fully understand what exposure compensation, shutter speeds and white balance mean and their significance in the photo shoot. The only thing that you must do is simply take those pictures and print copies of the shots you made.

State of the art DSLRs are no longer essential and even if you are using the standard digital camera, you can still create high quality pictures with the use of Photoshop. Through this photo editing software you can easily make the necessary correction in the light balance, exposure compensation and color saturation. This means that you have fewer things to think about and consider when doing the photo shoot. This is definitely an essential tool if you consider yourself the point-and-shoot type of person.

Photoshop Rectifies Most of the Photo Shoot Miscues and Issues

You can rely on Photoshop in the event you make an erroneous decision on the lighting settings for your photo shoot. This means that you can make the necessary correction so that you have a final copy that appears like you have taken the picture in the most ideal light setting. In addition to this, close up shots will no longer be a formidable challenge for you. This type of picture is usually the most difficult one to make as it amplifies even the slightest mistakes. The good news is that you can now take those close-up shots with confidence as you can easily make the necessary corrections and solve any issues later using Photoshop.

Photographs which were not able to stand the test of time are now given the chance to recover their lost luster, literally and figuratively. You can use Photoshop to restore and recover damaged and faded photographs. All you have to do is create a digital copy of the old photographs using a scanner and through Photoshop, you can easily transform defective, tattered and washed out photos in pictures that appear like they have been taken just a few seconds ago.

What is great about Photoshop is that it allows you to accomplish these things and a lot more. You can banish those wrinkles in your digital photos, make the face appear fuller or slimmer, get rid of the pimples and inject a paler or healthier color to the face.

There are several options and features that you can use in order to enhance your digital photos. As far as photographers are concerned, Adobe Photoshop is an essential tool. You will learn that it provides a lot of possibilities and discover that you can create loads of high quality pictures despite the not-so-good and less than ideal circumstances behind the shots.SB

Critical Elements of a Good Photoshop Tutorial

Technique – A good Photoshop tutorial should be able to make a good impression when it comes to the relevance and range of coverage. We have a stream of so-called topnotch tutorials on the Web that aspire to gain the trust and interest of readers. Before you even declare a Photoshop tutorial site as being the right one for you, it is imperative that you determine what your needs and requirements are. There are those who just simply want to learn something about Photoshop for the bragging rights and in most cases, they would give a shot at the first thing that comes along.

You don’t necessarily have to stick with your “favorite” tutorial site. It would be wise if you try to look for some ideas elsewhere from time to time. You can consider techniques from other tutorial sites and learn how to create that album cover and or movie poster that you have seen a while back. The truth of the matter is that there is nothing in Photoshop which can be considered original creations. Works can be easily replicated. What matters most is the interpretation as everything in these modern times is literally the recreation of things done in the past.

Instead of getting overly fixated on the originality of your Photoshop creations, focus on the rarity of your work. This means that you should concentrate on the final effects of your creation. You are definitely on the right track if you get into a tutorial site that details the techniques in creating a wide range of effects.

Functionality – The original concepts and techniques make a particular design interesting. On the other hand, the value of the Photoshop tutorial site can be ascribed by the function of the range of techniques and tips included in the tutorial. The quality of the graphic designs hinges on the purpose or use of such creations. The functional aspect goes beyond the aesthetics and design elements. The Photoshop tutorial should be able to teach you how to make good use of your graphic design.

Attention to Detail – The best Photoshop tutorials are those that were written with a newbie user in mind. This does not imply that the authors of these tutorial sets are underestimating the capability and competency of their target audience. You have to remember that Photoshop tutorials are used by readers with varying levels of competency, it never hurts to refresh your knowledge and you may be reminded of that little tip you had forgotten, and as it has been proved many times great designs start from the basics.

Brevity – Look for Photoshop tutorials that go straight to the point. It is best that you avoid those tutorials that seem to have gone overboard with a lot of fluff and clutter in them. Unnecessary information and data tend to distract readers. There has to be a perfect balance in the elements of the tutorial content. Important details should be presented in their simplest form. Of course, the content should focus on the detailed instructions for the particular technique or design concept. After all, this is the main reason why readers follow the features and articles in a popular Photoshop tutorial site.

Advanced Tutorials on Photoshop

Advanced Photoshop users and those who have already covered all the basic stuff about Photoshop will naturally have to consider advanced Photoshop tutorials. These may take the form of video, audio or eBook tutorials. Another alternative would be to join live classes where expert graphic designers will teach and guide you through all the advanced aspects of Photoshop. Online books and audio tutorials can be good options and most can be downloaded for free on the Internet. However, if you are looking for the most effective tutorial, then you would have to limit your search and consider video Photoshop tutorials.

Advanced lessons and techniques are better learned and mastered through video tutorials. There are countless sites that feature advanced tutorials in video format. You also have the option of using CD Photoshop video tutorial sets, which you can buy online or at the nearest bookstore. Topics are organized into modules, and this allows you to progress through the advanced levels in a manner that will ensure a faster and easy understanding of the more complicated and challenging aspects of the software. S.B

You can use either of these 2 image editing applications from Adobe to create images like the professionals do. The only thing that you need to do is to determine which is more appropriate for your organization or company.

Start with the Basics Using Adobe Photoshop Elements

This newest image edition application from Adobe comes with several important features that are considered essential to most companies and organizations. With Photoshop Elements, you can now easily get rid of red eye in your images; adjust the highlights, shadowing, contrast, lighting and colors; develop seamless composites from several images; and carry out nearly all of the customary image editing tasks.

However, you must take note of the fact that Photoshop Elements doesn’t have the advanced features that are normally found in other Adobe image editing software. However, this latest Adobe offering provides a decent suite of useful image editing tools, a nifty filing system for easy management of your files and easy-to-follow wizards and tutorials for the Photoshop newbie.

Of course, Photoshop Elements doesn’t have the more advanced functions and features. However, those who work on images using the basic functions should find this image-editing tool sufficient, and you can easily edit images to create great-looking pictures, organize your own photo library and create design templates for your flyers and pamphlets.

Photoshop CS5 for Advanced Users

Photoshop CS5 comes with several advanced features which include:

It is suffice to say, Photoshop CS5 is more complex than Photoshop Elements, and the learning curve for Elements is steeper as well. In addition to this, you will also need a robust computer with a minimum RAM of 1 GB and a fairly decent video card. If your organization or company doesn’t require high-end image-editing capability, then you may not have to invest in Photoshop CS5.

The Extended version of this Adobe image editing software comes with additional advanced features such as mapping of 2D images in a 3-dimension space; editing of motion-based and 3-dimension images; and image analysis using counting and measurement tools.
M.A.H.

Whilst the layout of Photoshop may seem intimidating to new users, the actuality of using it is easier than working with its competition, which can be inconsistent. There is a single operating menu in the Photoshop window that displays information and functions for personal preferences. The interface is not overtly simple. Many image editing programs do not provide sufficient options, which is quite frustrating to the user as it reduces productivity. Photoshop, on the other hand, provides a balance with its manual access and automatic functions.

Adobe Photoshop comes with high skilled coding. The expert programmers at Adobe ensure the software has high skilled coding that can be manipulated by any computer. When it comes to resizing, color correction, HDR imaging, the result can be obtained in very high quality. Other image editing software may excel in specific areas, whereas Photoshop excels in the majority of areas.

Photoshop is the ultimate tool regarding online media. Photoshop began its journey as a program used for photo processing; however, it has evolved greatly and become a facilitator for graphic design, creator of 3D images and videos. Adobe Photoshop also offers simpler products like Photoshop Elements, where individuals can use specific features minus the extra features. Files created by Photoshop are almost always transferable between different programs. The Creative Suite in Adobe Photoshop allows individuals to use Photoshop to add a photo, send it to Adobe Premiere to add a video and for post processing transfer it to After Effects without any loss of quality or hassle.

There are large amounts of free support and education regarding Adobe Photoshop on the internet because of its popularity. There are hundreds of websites that specialize in teaching this subject in the form of tutorials, providing visual aid in the form of videos like airbrushing or creating a spaceship.
M.A.H.

When it comes to using Adobe Photoshop Cs2, you must first open the toolbar window on the side of the image. The first section has six tools that can be used for cutting, highlighting and pasting parts of your image. The Lasso tool is one of the most essential tools in the Cs2 tutorial. You can trace an outline on the image objects, in order to specifically work on a certain part of the photo. If you want to cut your photograph or trim it, use the tool that is specified as Crop. The Crop tool will help resize the photo, either making it smaller or making it larger. Another tool in Cs2 Adobe Photoshop is the Move feature. The Move feature helps you move layers and objects on the image to various locations so that you can create a completely different image altogether. Aside from moving layers and objects, you can resize these objects or highlight different objects.

The paint and brush tools in Cs2 are used to add designs and paint to the image. There are a variety of paint tools like airbrushes, regular paintbrushes and paint style tools. These are used to create a unique design in your image. The Layer tool can be used to work on one part of the image, whilst ensuring the rest of the image stays in tact. The Layer tool can be used to add layers or manipulate them, thereby creating special effects like blood or fog to liven up the image!
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