The third chapter found us working with selections and how we can move certain parts of images into a shadow box using several different selection tools. Starting off with the quick selection tool, we were able to outline the circumference of the sand dollar in order to indicate that it was the part of the image we would be changing or altering. Using the move tool, we were able to line up the sand dollar with its space in the shadow box as well as the space of its shadow. Next, we tried out the elliptical marque tool, which can expand and drag across a selection, in this case being the plate of shells, by dragging diagonally across in order to highlight the section of the selection we want to move. We also used this tool to give the plate a more ovular shape. The arrow keys could be used to move the selection by amplifying the edges of the silhouette. The rectangular marquee tool helped us to make certain selections in a rectangular form around the piece of coral, and the magic wand tool then removed all the white background pixels, making the image stand out giving it a much more polished and streamlined appearance. It is for those reasons that the magic wand tool was my favorite to work with in this chapter.
The polygonal lasso tool carefully dragged along the outline of the mussel, placing anchor points in the process, which provides for a distinct and specific choice for how we want the image to be moved. The mussel was then rotated using the two-headed arrow that appeared from the pointer. On the other hand, the magnetic lasso tool snapped automatically to the edge of the outline of the nautilus while simultaneously creating fastening points. The elliptical marquee tool was once again used, this time on the screw as we worked from the center outwards before highlighting the edge of the screw and moving it to its place place on the frame. By holding Alt and Shift, we were able to duplicate the screw and move three other copies top the four corners of the image. Finally we used the crop tool to adjust the frame size to a sustainable degree, adding the perfect finishing touch to the shadow box. I was then able to try out these skills independently on a shadow box of my own which can be seen below.
This chapter put an emphasis on basic image corrections, including changing the resolution, image size, cropping and much more. We started out by using the crop tool in order to trim a photograph and scale it down to a nice, proportionate size. In addition to adjusting the height and weight, I was able to discover how the resolution of the image can be altered for a more crisp appearance. Next, we adjusted the color and tone of the photograph through the adjustments panel. By selecting curves, I learned how to change the colors of the entire image and how selecting a certain area of the image would make it the brightest neutral area of the image. Simultaneously, we selected levels in order to tool around with the light and dark areas of the image which adds a sense of atmosphere and mood to the scene of the photograph.
Trying our hand at the spot healing brush tool, I was amazed at how quickly the blemishes and other flaws that appeared in the image could quickly be removed and it was certainly a neat tool to experiment with. The same applied for the patch tool, which can remove elements from the image that were not needed, blending the area in with its surroundings. It almost felt like using a magic wand of sorts. Next was the clone stamp tool where we fixed a section of the image by using pixels from another section of the image, making the photograph feel more condensed and full. Finally we used a sharpening effect known as Smart Sharpen, which utilized blur tools to fine the sharpening as well as adding contrast to the edges of the image and reducing unwanted effects caused by camera motion that occurred when the picture was taken. The most fun for me was being able to use these helpful skills one one of my own images which can be seen below.
The first chapter proved to create the perfect introduction to the characteristics and overall environment that Photoshop provides. Right off the bat we became familiar with the significant menus, toolbars and panels that paved the way for what we would go on to learn and build upon later in the semester. Creating a birthday card was my first instance of trying my hand at photo editing as we explored the features of the menu bar and the editing bar as well as the extensive list of tools used to add depth and personality to an image. We learned how to use the zoom tool as well as using the options bar to tweak the ways in which the selected tool will affect the image. The fit screen was also used to show perspective in terms of how the edited section compares and plays into the image as a whole. Layers were also introduced which allowed foe certain parts of the image to be worked on individually, in this case the blue ribbons reading “Happy Birthday”.
In addition we adjusted the brightness and contrast as well as used color samples to detect specific colors from the selected part of that image. By using the rectangular marquee tool we added a second ribbon and used the color from the first ribbon to fill in the margin as well as doing the same with the text tool and horizontal type tool to add text to the newly formed ribbon. We also used the polygonal lasso tool to create a notch for the ribbon. The highlight of the chapter for me came through the independent piece as we were able to use these same skills on our own images, made use of through this card I was able to make using a personal photo of mine:
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