New for 2025:
Photoshop Intro: Importing and Contact sheet
1. Importing Images into Photoshop
•Insert memory card into the computer.
•Locate the card under “No Name” or assigned name.
•Navigate to DCIM folder to find images.
•Images saved in JPEG & RAW formats:
•RAW files (~86MB)
•JPEG files (~8.5MB)
•Create a new folder on the desktop for organization.
•Example: “Davis Abstract Project.”
•Select and copy images to this folder.
2. Creating a Contact Sheet
•Helps with quick image review before editing.
•Steps:
1. Open Photoshop → Go to File → Automate → Contact Sheet II
2.Select the folder with images.
3.Leave default settings and generate contact sheet.
4. Save as a Photoshop (.PSD) file with a clear name.
3. Opening & Navigating Images in Photoshop
•Open selected images from the folder into Photoshop.
•Images appear as tabs in the workspace.
•Navigation tips:
•Hold Z key to zoom in/out.
•Use mouse or trackpad to scroll.
4. Overview of Photoshop Interface
•Menu Bar (Top) – Divided into sections:
•File: Open, save, export, automate.
•Edit: Text edits, content-aware fill, warping.
•Image: Adjustments, modes, color settings.
•Layers: Adding/masking/exporting layers.
•Type: Text-related tools.
•Select: Important for selections (covered in another video).
•Filter: Lens correction & RAW workflow tools.
•View: Zoom, show/hide grids (Cmd + ‘).
•Window: Manage panels, history, layers, properties.
5. Toolbar & Tools Overview
•Toolbox (Left Side) – Essential for image manipulation.
•Clicking and holding a tool reveals sub-tools.
•Example: Rectangular Marquee Tool for selections:
•Adjust feathering (soften selection).
•Set a fixed aspect ratio (e.g., 1:1 square).
•Each tool has a Properties bar at the top for customization.
6. Panel Overview (Right Side)
•Panels control layers, adjustments, history, and actions.
•Key panels to keep open:
•Layers Panel
•Properties Panel
•Adjustment Layers Panel
•History Panel
•If a panel is missing, find it under Window menu.
7. Workspaces in Photoshop
•Preset workspaces available (e.g., “Photography”).
•Workspaces can be saved for custom setups.
•Adjust layout via Window → Workspace menu.
• The assignment focuses on abstract black-and-white images.
• Three key topics covered:
1. Understanding the Histogram
2. Straightening & Cropping
3. Applying a Black & White Filter
2. Understanding the Histogram
• Found in Window → Histogram.
• Represents the distribution of light and dark values in an image:
• X-axis: Dark tones (left) to light tones (right).
• Y-axis: Number of pixels at each brightness level.
• Key Observations from Histogram:
• If there are no pixels at pure black or pure white, the image lacks contrast.
• A spike at the right means the image has a lot of pure white (overexposed areas).
• A spike at the left means the image has a lot of pure black (underexposed areas).
• RGB breakdown shows Red, Green, and Blue values separately.
3. Straightening & Cropping Images
• Unlock the background layer to allow edits.
• Use Edit → Transform Tools:
• Distort: Manually adjust perspective.
• Skew: Adjust angles while keeping proportions.
• Perspective Warp: Adjust shapes while keeping relative structure.
• Use View → Show Grid (Cmd + ‘) to align elements.
• Finalize the transformation with Return/Enter.
• Use the Crop Tool to remove unwanted areas.
4. Adjusting Image Levels (Tonal Range Adjustment)
• Destructive vs. Non-Destructive Editing:
• Direct adjustments in Image → Adjustments are destructive (irreversible after saving).
• Using Adjustment Layers is non-destructive (edits can be modified later).
• Using Levels Adjustment Layer:
• Found in Window → Adjustments → Levels.
• Adjusts brightness and contrast based on the histogram.
• Left slider: Adjusts black levels (darker shadows).
• Right slider: Adjusts white levels (brighter highlights).
• Middle slider: Adjusts midtones for overall brightness.
• Auto adjusts levels based on the image’s tonal range.
5. Applying Black & White Adjustments
• Two Methods:
1. Image → Adjustments → Black & White (Destructive)
2. Adjustment Layer → Black & White (Non-Destructive)
• Adjust Red, Green, and Blue channels to modify grayscale interpretation.
• Different colors translate to black and white in unique ways:
• Adjusting Red and Yellow sliders can darken/brighten certain details.
• Blue slider affects darker tones (e.g., window frames).
• Adjust carefully to avoid artifacts and unnatural contrasts.
6. Layer Management & Selective Adjustments
• Adjustment layers only affect layers beneath them.
• Moving adjustment layers above or below other layers changes how they interact.
• Combining Levels + Black & White adjustments refines contrast.
• Selectively adjust brightness using layer masks (covered in future lessons).
7. Artistic Considerations for Abstract Black & White Images
• Consider contrast, composition, and visual weight.
• Balance highlights, midtones, and shadows for impact.
• Abstract images allow for creative tonal adjustments beyond realism.
This structured outline captures the key techniques and processes covered in your video. Let me know if you need further refinements!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction to Selections in Photoshop
• Making precise selections in Photoshop is essential for editing specific parts of an image.
• Selections allow you to modify, move, delete, or adjust specific areas.
• Before digital tools, photographers used physical masking techniques in the darkroom, making Photoshop’s selection tools revolutionary.
• Core Concept: If you can select it, you can modify it.
Basic Selection Tools
• Marquee Tools:
• Rectangular Marquee Tool: Selects a square or rectangle.
• Elliptical Marquee Tool: Selects circular or oval shapes.
• Single Row & Single Column Marquee Tools (rarely used): Select a one-pixel-wide row or column.
• Lasso Tools:
• Lasso Tool: Freehand selection, good for rough selections.
• Polygonal Lasso Tool: Click to place points, creating straight-edged selections.
• Magnetic Lasso Tool: Automatically snaps to the edges of an object based on contrast.
• Quick Selection Tool:
• Works like a paintbrush—drag over an area, and Photoshop automatically selects similar pixels.
• Uses AI to detect edges and adjust selections dynamically.
• Modifier keys:
• Shift → Adds to selection.
• Option (Mac) / Alt (Windows) → Subtracts from selection.
Modifying Selections
• Adding/Subtracting from a Selection:
• Use the Shift key to add and Option/Alt key to subtract from a selection.
• Modify complex selections using multiple tools together.
• Selection Menu Options:
• Select All (Cmd+A / Ctrl+A): Selects the entire image.
• Deselect (Cmd+D / Ctrl+D): Removes selection.
• Select Inverse (Shift+Cmd+I / Shift+Ctrl+I): Selects everything except the current selection.
• Modify > Expand/Contract: Adjusts selection edges.
• Feathering: Softens selection edges for smoother blending.
• Saving and Reloading Selections:
• Save Selection: Saves a complex selection for later use.
• Load Selection: Reloads a previously saved selection.
Advanced Selection Methods
• Quick Selection Tool (AI-Assisted):
• Great for selecting objects with high contrast against their background.
• Works well for people, objects, and defined shapes.
• Refining Edges:
• Select & Mask: Used for fine-tuning selections, especially for hair, fur, and soft edges.
• Feathering & Edge Shifting: Creates smooth transitions.
Practical Applications
• Removing Objects (Content-Aware Fill):
• Photoshop analyzes surrounding pixels and fills in the selected area.
• Edit > Fill > Content-Aware removes unwanted objects intelligently.
• Works best on natural, non-patterned backgrounds (e.g., sky, sand).
• Not ideal for complex patterns (e.g., grids, architecture).
• Clone Stamp Tool (for manual corrections):
• Option/Alt + Click to set the source area.
• Paint over the target area to blend new pixels.
• Works well for more precise removal and blending.
• Combining Selection Tools:
• Start with Quick Selection or Magnetic Lasso for rough selections.
• Use Polygonal Lasso or Refine Edge for detailed adjustments.
• Adjust using Feathering, Expand, Contract, and Invert.
Practical Exercises
1. Select and modify a simple shape using marquee tools.
2. Use the Lasso tools to select irregular objects.
3. Experiment with the Quick Selection Tool for more complex selections.
4. Try Content-Aware Fill to remove an object.
5. Use Clone Stamp for manual corrections and blending.
Final Thoughts
• Good selections = better edits.
• Use multiple tools together for precision.
• Non-destructive editing: Save selections and use layer masks whenever possible.
• Practice is key! The more you experiment, the better your selections will become.
Masks
Here’s a list of key notes from the transcript that you can use as a guide for your lecture:
Introduction to Masks
• Masks control the visibility of parts of an image without permanently deleting pixels.
• A mask is a map of transparency—white areas are visible, black areas are hidden, and gray areas are translucent.
• Masks are always attached to a layer and appear as a small black-and-white thumbnail.
Basic Masking Concepts
• Instead of erasing pixels (which is permanent), use a mask to hide/reveal parts of a layer non-destructively.
• To view a mask directly, hold Option (Mac) / Alt (Windows) + Click on the mask thumbnail.
• Masks only affect the visibility of a layer and not its actual pixels.
Applying a Mask
1. Create a New Layer – Example: Draw a green circle on one layer and a purple shape on another.
2. Add a Mask – Click the mask icon in the Layers panel (it looks like a white rectangle with a black circle).
3. Paint on the Mask:
• Black conceals (hides parts of the layer).
• White reveals (shows parts of the layer).
• Gray creates transparency (partial visibility).
Why Use Masks?
• Non-destructive workflow – You can always edit or remove a mask.
• Flexibility – Easily make changes without losing original image data.
• Combining Layers – Masks allow for smooth blending of different elements in an image.
Adjustment Layers & Masks
• Adjustment layers allow changes like brightness, contrast, or color without altering the actual image.
• Every adjustment layer comes with a mask by default.
• You can paint on the mask to control where the adjustment applies.
Creating Selections from Masks
• Convert a mask into a selection by holding Command (Mac) / Ctrl (Windows) + Click on the mask thumbnail.
• Use selections to refine or create new masks efficiently.
Using Masks with Adjustment Layers
• Example: Apply a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and use a mask to change colors in specific areas.
• Use black on the mask to remove the effect from parts of the image.
Combining Masks and Selections
1. Start with a selection (e.g., use the Quick Selection Tool to select an object).
2. Apply an adjustment layer – The selection will automatically become a mask.
3. Refine the mask – Paint with black/white to fine-tune the effect.
Practical Applications of Masks
• Colorizing black-and-white images:
• Use Hue/Saturation adjustment layers with masks to color different parts of an image.
• Creating selective color effects:
• Convert an image to black-and-white and bring back certain colors using masks.
• Blending images seamlessly:
• Use gradient masks to transition smoothly between different layers.
Final Notes
• Black hides, white reveals, gray is partial transparency – Always remember this!
• Use soft brushes for smooth blending, hard brushes for sharp edges.
• Play with selections, adjustments, and masks to fully understand their interactions.
Would you like me to format this into a printable outline or slide-friendly version?
Photoshop interface-
Lots of ways to do things
complex program
Menu Bar
Commands
single shot- no options in command
dialog command- have … choose attributes
checkmarks turns on and off setting
toolbar-
select tool and do something in image window
Options bar
options to modify settings of currently selected tool
panels- palettes
contains controls for certain aspects of project, color, history, layers
image window
workspace
Default panels that should be open
layers
colors
adjustments
history
opening images in new project
open in control click
layer transparency, opacity, blending styles
Image Size and its relevance
Image size and resolution# of pixels in imageDPI of imagesize of and dpi of monitormultiply pixels to get megapixelsprint dpi 200 to 300 for good print qualityMaths-image size in pixels divided by dpi gives you max print size
desired print size times dpi gives you pixel size of image you need to make print
Retouching
Clone stamp
Option-click to set copy point
[ ] to change size of brush
Healing brush
Small area content aware fill, good for skin and fabric
Content aware fill
works best on small objects with organic backgrounds
Edit>fill
Beware of creating patterns or repeating too many bits
Selection Tools
Marquee and lasso tool
- most basic selection tools
- click and drag from edge
- Release to let computer connect to meme a shape
modifier keys alter behavior holding keyoption-drag from center
- selection can be clicked and dragged
- constrain to perfect square hold shift
- add to selection hold shift-non contiguous
- alt key subtract from selection
What does a selection mean?
- selection only affects active layer
- Anything outside selection is protected
Refine edge go through process
- Select menu- refine edge, also button
view- show different mask views-use which ever works, try switching views
radius- increase transition areas-PS finds edges
smart radius- PS differentiates between soft/complex and hard-even edges
use show radius button to see transition area
refine using brush buttons and sliders
- Finish with decontaminate colors-helps control bleed
- output to new layer with mask, output to selection to copy and paste normally
Colorizing
make selection
Use fill layer, should automatically make mask
Explain mask in this context
How to move into and out of masks
Blending modes to blend color layers with original image
Adjustment layersnon destructiveadjustments under image menu change the pixels when image is saved
- option-click mask- show b and w layer
- command-click mask- show selection
- with selection on (marching ants) create an adjustment layer, creates layer with mask
- copy paste into new layer
smart object resize without degradation