The Photoshop Environment
Types of Images
File Extensions - 3 letters that come after the "." of a file name and are used to identify
the type of file.
o Examples of File Extensions:
Image Files - .jpg, .gif, .bmp
Word Files - .doc, .txt, .rtf
Web Files - .htm, .xml
With Photoshop, we will be working with images that are scanned, taken with a digital
camera, obtained from the Internet, or from a storage medium.
o These type of images are called continuous-toned images.
What is a Digital Image
Digital images are made up of pieces of information called pixels
o Pixels are little dots, pieces of information, that give the the appearance of an
image.
o Each pixels is filled with color.
o Pixels come in different sizes and their size is expressed in terms of resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels in an image.
o The more pixels in an image, the higher the resolution, thus giving a higher
quality image.
Images are measured in terms of kilobytes and megabytes.
o Kilobyte = 1000 bytes
o Megabyte = 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 Kilobytes
You can also create images directly in Photoshop
o These are called Bit-Mapped Images because they are produced from Bit-
Mapped programs, such as Photoshop or Paint.
o Each pixel of the image contains information such as color and brightness.
o Each pixel is stored as a bit (8 bits equal 1 byte), and a map (collection) of these
make up the image (bit-map image).
o An 8 bit image can display 256 different colors, while a 24 bit image can display
over 16 million colors.
Creating an Image in Photoshop
In order to modify a picture in Photoshop, you must adjust the pixels of the image.
In Photoshop, there are four different groups of tools that we need to know how to use to
effectively modify and create images.
o Menu Bar -
o Toolbox
o Tool Options Bar
o Palette Groups
Some Useful Photoshop Tools
Basic Tools
Selection Tools
Rectangular Selection Tool – This tool allows you to select everything within the
rectangle you draw.
Elliptical Selection Tool – This tool allows you to select everything within the circle or
oval that you draw.
Lasso – This selection tool allows you to be very precise in creating an outline around the
area you wish to select by clicking as you go. This selection will be complete upon returning to
your starting point.
Magnetic Lasso – This allows you to make a precise selection, but the lasso will
automatically connect to pixels that match the color if the previous point.
Polygonal Lasso – This allow you to make a selection by drawing straight lines.
Magic Wand - This is another selection tool that will select pixels based on color. When
you click on a specific color, the wand will select pixels that match or are similar in color. In the
left image of the screen shot below, you can see the selected pixels the magic wand chose based
on the single pixel color I clicked on. You can add to the initial selection by pressing shift and
clicking an unselected area. To remove an area from a selection, press ALT and click the area
you wish to remove.
Quick Selection Tool – Allows you to make a selection by clicking and dragging over
the area.
Text
Text can be added to any image. This text is created in its own layer. In order to apply filters or
use painting tools after you have added text, the layer must be simplified. Simplifying the layer
means that it is converted to a regular image layer. However, after simplifying, changes can no
longer be made to the text.
Crop
This tool allows you to crop an image or a layer.
Cookie Cutter Shapes
This tool allows you to crop your image into the shape you select.
Healing Brush
This tool can be used to remove areas of an image by replacing the area by matching it with its
surrounding area. This tool matches pixel colors.
Stamper Tool
Clone Stamper – This tool allows you to clone an area by pressing Alt and clicking on
the area. That area can then be painted in wherever desired.
Pattern Stamper – This tool allows you to paint specific patterns into an image.
Eraser
These tools allow you to erase. You can manipulate the area to be erased based on which eraser
tool used as well as the active layer.
Pencil & Brush
This allows you the ability to create or add to an image using freehand. These lines or strokes
can be manipulated using the tools options bar.
Smart Brush Tool
This allows you to manipulate the colors within your image by selecting from numerous color
options. You can then select the area within the image you which to adjust.
Paint Bucket Tool
This allows you to fill areas of similar color to the color of the pixel which is selected.
Shapes
There are numerous shapes available. If you right click on this icon, then click on the “custom
shapes tool.” In the tool options bar, there is a drop-down arrow next to the shape. When you
click on this, a bank of shapes will open. To the right of the bank are two small arrows. Click
these double arrows and select “All Elements Shapes.” This will more than triple the available
shapes.
Blur, Sharp, and Smudge
Blur - This tool allows you to soften the details of an image. You have the capabilities to
adjust the size of the blur tip.
Sharpening - This allows you to create sharper lines or edges on objects or people.
Smudge – This tool allows you to enhance your image by making it appear as though
you have run your fingers across it when the paint was still wet.
Sponge, Dodge, & Burn
Sponge – This tool makes your image or part of your image more vivid.
Dodge - This tool allows you to lighten an image or part of an image.
Burn – This tool allows you to darken an image or part of the image.
Advanced Options
Filters
Filters are the various effects that Photoshop provides to alter the look of your image. These can
be accessed in the Panels section on the right hand side of your screen or by clicking on the
“filters” tab. An easy way to play around with the filters is to click on the “filters” tab, then click
on “filters gallery.” This will allow you to click through each filter and see the effects it has on
your image. Note, if your image is really large when the gallery opens, simply right click on the
image and select “fit in view.”
Blending Modes
Controls how pixels are affected by a painting or editing tool. When applied to layers, blending
modes determine how the pixels in that layer blend with layers beneath it.
Opacity
This is the extent to which light cannot travel through the image. The less opacity the image has,
the more translucent the image becomes.