Photoshop Training Class in Sacramento

Introducing Adobe Photoshop

In this course, students learn basic Photoshop user interface functions and customization. They also explore the application’s features including the toolbox and palettes window. Class attendees also learn how to use Photoshop help functions to find answers to their questions. Finally, students discuss various digital image types including raster and vector graphics.

Selection Techniques

To manipulate or modify portions of an image, users must select that portion. This can be complicated, especially if the portion is irregularly shaped, as in the outline of an eye or face. In this training section, students learn how to use various selection tools to choose portions of an image, such as the rectangular and elliptical marquee, magnetic and polygonal lasso, and magic wand. Once they make a selection, users learn how to change or refine it for a more polished look. Course attendees also learn how to add or subtract from a selection and create an intersection.

Working with Layers

Users can easily yield an undesired image when making multiple modifications. Without layers, users were forced to either undo modifications in reverse order or discard them all. But layers enable changes without affecting the order in which they were applied because each layer is a separate instance, usually stacked upon one another to form a complete graphic. Users can then move, change and add layers without disturbing other aspects of an image. Users can also hide, display or re-order layers in the final image, or re-used layers by moving it to another image.

In this training section, students learn how to create and use layers. Students learn the various types of layers, how to arrange and transform layers, and the application of formatted text and layer effects.

Adjusting Images

Image modes define how color information is stored within the image file. Image mode depends on the image’s color range and its intended use. Class attendees learn about the various image modes available in Photoshop, as well as ways to identify and set the right image mode.

Image Retouching

Adobe Photoshop users can effectively repair image defects, like red eye. Users can also completely remove an object from an image, for example an unwanted couch in the background. Photoshop lets you apply image effects with filters, many of which are available ranging from artistic to textured. In this training section, students learn how to repair defects and remove objects using Photoshop tools including the red eye tool, clone stamp, spot healing brush, patch tool, eye dropper and background eraser tool. Students also learn how to apply filters to images from the filter gallery.

Image Resizing

Image size and resolution have a profound effect on digital image quality and file size. However, image resize can also lead to poor image quality. So it is important to choose a resolution and image quality that fits your intended use.

In class, we discuss how image quality, image size, image resolution and file size relate to each other, and how we can optimize the image by taking into account the other factors. Course participants also learn how to resize images, apply new resolutions and use sampling to improve post-resize quality. In the second part of this training course, students learn about the Photoshop canvas and how to use the crop tool to alter canvas size.

Preparing Finished Images

Once your image is finalized, it must be exported into a suitable format. In this section, course attendees learn how to prepare, optimize and export an image for web or print use.

Fills and Overlays

Users can efficiently fill images with specific colors or patterns using built-in Photoshop tools. This training section teaches attendees how to specify colors and fill selections for layers with colors or gradients. Class attendees also learn how to specify custom colors and use the swatch tool to store frequently used colors.

Mask

When working with images, users can mask parts to prevent accidental changes similar to a painter using masking tape to protect areas that should not be painted. In Adobe Photoshop, users can apply masking in several different ways, each providing different results. In this training section, students learn how to apply masks using quick, alpha channel, layer, grayscale, gradient and clipping masks.

Vector Paths

Adobe Photoshop users can create Vector Paths to geometrically define lines and areas, avoiding pixel or grid use. This has several benefits and introduces new uses. One can use vector paths as selection and layer masks if the interested part is geometrically shaped. This is often faster and results in a more accurate mask. Users can also create a clipping path for use in other applications. For example, QuarkXPress cannot view transparent areas created by Photoshop. Using vector paths as clipping paths, Photoshop users can work around this limitation. One can also use vector paths to draw geometric graphics. The resulting vector image is resolution and size independent. The image can scale to any size without losing quality, with a smaller file size compared to a pixel based image. In this training section, students learn the necessary tools to efficiently create vector paths.

Creative Image Effects

Adobe Photoshop provides various tools to simulate illustrations. For instance, filters can make your image look like a painting or sketch. Users can also create textures and customized warping effects. In this section, class participants learn some of the tools used to create these effects.

Task Automation

Working with Photoshop, users might want to repeat tasks frequently. For instance, users might consistently apply a watermark filter to images or resize all images in half. In this section, students learn how to create and organize actions to automate tasks.

Prerequisites:

Basic Mac or Windows skills including copy/paste, right-click (contextual menus), file location, program toggling and window exploring

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