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Nathan's Photoshop Resources Welcome to my resources I use for Photoshop workshops - usually a 3 hour crash course to introduce you to many of the powerful features that will allow you to create and manipulate graphics, text, and photos. I've been using Photoshop for many years (since version 2) - and I'll be the first to tell you I'm still learning new things about Photoshop every day. So I don't expect you to come away from this workshop as a pro - but at least you'll know many of the features and how to use them. These will get you started on the road to becoming a Photoshop pro. To help you during and after our workshop, I'm including links to many wonderful resources that will help you learn Photoshop. Please take some time to explore. Come back often - I'll leave these here for you. Menu for this page: Typical Workshop Agenda Recommended Reading Video Tutorials Internet Resources that Teach Photoshop Nathan's Galleries

 

Workshop Agenda!

• Just what is Photoshop and what can you do with it?
  • Here are some examples: [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link]
• Introduction to Photoshop's Interface (Photoshop CS4 Quick Reference - PDF) (Photoshop CS3 Quick Reference - PDF)
• Introduction to the Bridge
  • Example of a web gallery export from Bridge
• Making Selections, using the tools, the Image menu and the filters [Sample Images]
• Saving an image you've created or modified in Photoshop
• Layers, Layer Effects, Styles
• Masks and adjustment Layers
• Paths
• Channels Introduction

 

Recommended Reading

There are many Photoshop books out there. Most that I've read are recipe books - do this, then do that, and you get such-n-such. However, one book really changed my level of Photoshop mastery because it explained why things work the way they do, and the underlying concepts and strategies behind each tool. The newest edition is titled, "Adobe Photoshop CS5 Studio Techniques" by Ben Wllmore. You can get more information, and even a peek inside the book at Amazon.com.

 

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Photoshop Tutorials (Videos are mp4 or m4v)

These videos are from podcasts available freely on the Internet. Some of the podcasts I've used here are (1) Photoshop User TV, (2) Photoshop Killer Tips, (3) Lynda.com Video Training, (4) Photoshop Top 40 with Deke McClelland, and more. Be sure to check these wonderful sites for even more updated podcasts!

 

Nathan's Photoshop Workshop for 2008 (Using Photoshop CS3)

Color Correction and sharpening an image

• Image - Color Cast Correction - original
• Video Tutorial - Using the Red Eye Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using Levels to Correct Color
• Video Tutorial - Using Camera Raw to Correct Color
• Video Tutorial - Using Curves to Correct Color
• Image - Color Cast Correction - Fixed
• Image - Correcting Color and Sharpening Image - original
• Video Tutorial - Using Select Color, Camera Raw, and the Unsharp Mask Filter
• Image - Correcting Color and Sharpening Image - Fixed
• Image - Tutorial - Another way to do color cast correction

Removing Noise in an image

• Image - Remove Noise - original
• Video Tutorial - Remove Noise with Dust & Scratches Filter and the Healing Brush
• Image - Remove Noise - Fixed

Selecting objects in your image

• Image - Rectangular Marquee Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using the Rectangular Marquee tool and transforming the selection
• Image - Eliptical Marquee Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using the Eliptical Marquee tool
• Image - Polygonal Lasso Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool and Refine Selection
• Image - Magic Wand Tool and Inversing a selection
• Video Tutorial - Using the Magic Wand Tool and Inversing a Selection
• Image - Quick Select Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using the Quick Select Tool
• Video Tutorial - Using the Background Eraser Tool
• Image - Quick Mask
• Video Tutorial - Using the Quick Mask Tool
• Image - Quick Mask with Gradient
• Video Tutorial - Using the Quick Mask Tool in conjunction witht the Gradient Tool
• Image - Quick Mask with Gradient - Final Image
• Image - Using the Extract Filter
• Video Tutorial - Using the Extract Filter to Remove an Object from its Background

Merging Photos into a Panoramic Shot

• Image - Using Photoshop's PhotoMerge - Image 01 and Image 02
• Video Tutorial - Using PhotoMerge to Create a Panoramic Photo
• Image - Photomerge Final
  

Creating 3D looking graphics in Photoshop CS3

• Image - Tutorial - Creating a Jewel in Photoshop (using layers and blending modes)
• Image - Tutorial - Making Your Jewels Glow (using layers and blending modes)

Masks and Adjustment Layers

• Image - Masks and Adjustment Layers
• Video Tutorial - Using Masks and Adjustment Layers
• Image - Masks - Portrait of an Elderly Woman
• Video Tutorial - Using Masks to Remove Wrinkles and Blemishes
• Video Tutorial - Using Masks and Adjustment Layers to Bring Up Light in Eyes
• Image - Masks - Portrait of an Elderly Woman - Finished
• Photoshop Image - Using Layer Effects and Styles (.zip file)
• Video Tutorial - Using Layer Effects and Creating a Style
• Video Tutorial - Using Layer Effects, Styles, and Blending Modes
• Photoshop Image - Using Layer Effects and Styles - Finished (.zip file)

 

Nathan's 2010 Photoshop Workshop (Using CS4 - some videos demonstrate earlier versions)

3D in Photoshop Extended

• Turning 2d surfaces into a 3d space

Actions in Photoshop

• Actions Shortcut
• Color Coding Actions
• Creating Smarter Actions
• Editing Actions
• Learning From Your Actions
• Photoshop Feature 30_ Actions
• Running Multiple Actions At Once
• Saving Actions

Adjustment Layers

• Changing an Adjustment Layer
• Editing Video in Photoshop Using Adjustment Layers
• Isolate Your Adjustments
• Kevin Ames-Adjustment Layers Tutorial
• Photoshop Feature 36_ Black and White
• Preview An Adjustment
• Shadow Highlight Adjustment Layer

Alpha Channels

• Photoshop Feature 15_ Alpha Channels

Automation Commands

• Picture Package Automation Tool
• Using a Layer Stack to Reduce Noise

Bridge Application

• Introduction to the Bridge
• Using Bridge's Photoshop tools - Photomerge - to create a panoramic shot from several images

Camera Raw

• Introduction to Camera Raw
• Sharpening an image (or removing noise from an image) in Camera Raw

Color Correction

• CMYK Color Picker
• Color Correcting Skin Tone
• Color Help
• Color Picker Tricks
• Creative Color
• Fixing Skin Color
• Photoshop Feature 23_ Color Range
• Photoshop Feature 37_ Fill Functions
• Portrait Enhancement

Color Picker Dialog Tricks

• More Color Picker Tricks
• New Color Picker in CS3
• Pick A Color From Anywhere
• Set Background Color Chip

Color Sampler Tool

• Annoyed By Those Little Color Samplers?

Crop Tool

• Photoshop Feature 27_ The Crop Tool

Curves

• 06 Using Curves and Mask
• Better Curves
• Curves Dialog Tips
• Moving Multiple Points On A Curve
• Photoshop Feature 24_ Curves
• Reapply Your Adjustments

Dodge, Burn, Saturation Tools

• Photoshop Feature 26_ Dodge and Burn

Eyedropper Tool

• Photoshop Top 40, Feature 8_The Eyedropper
• More Accurate Color Sampling
• Set Background Color Chip

Filters

• Filter Quick Tips
• Hi Pass Filter
• Photoshop Feature 29_ Liquify
• Rendering Lighting Effects

Free Transform

• Photoshop Feature 20_ Free Transform

Gradient Tool

• Photoshop Feature 21_ The Gradient Tool

Healing Brush Tool

• Photoshop Feature 22_ The Healing Brush

Layers

• Image - Tutorial - A Quick Guide to the Layers Palette and Blending Modes
• Combining layers into one layer without flattening the others
• Easy Way to Select a Layer
• Photoshop Feature 16_ Adjustment Layers
• Photoshop Feature 17_ Layer Effects
• Photoshop Feature 39_ Layer Comps
• Selecting Layers Visually
• Selective Blurring (Using the Lock Transparent Pixels in the Layers Palette)
• Turn a Layer Effect into its own layer

Levels

• Photoshop Feature 9_ Levels

Luminence Blending

• Photoshop Feature 19_ Luminance Blending

Masks and Adjustment Layers

• Blending Using Masks
• Changing a Mask to a Selection
• Adjustment Layer Masking
• Boosting Eye Color
• Changing Quick Mask Overlay Color
• Color Boost
• Mask Multiple Adjustment Layers
• Masking Color Swap Trick
• PhotoAlignFeature
• Photoshop Feature 15_ Alpha Channels
• Photoshop Feature 28_ Hue_ Saturation
• Photoshop Feature 31_ The Brush Tool
• Photoshop Feature 32_ The Pen Tool
• Photoshop Feature 33_ Calculations
• Show Layer Mask Contents
• The Grungy T-Shirt Look
• Using Mask to Blend Two Photos

Paths

• Changing Type on a Path
• Create A Stroke Around A Path Or A Shape
• Creating Type on a Path
• Make A Path From Selection
• Manipulating Type with Paths
• Moving Type on a Path
• Photoshop Feature 32_ The Pen Tool
• Stroke Only a Portion of a Path
• Type on Path
• Work Path Into Selection
• Image - Tutorial - Using the Pen Tool

Photoshop Interface

• Customize Your Workspace
• In Living Color
• Keyboard Shortcuts For Adjustment Layers
• Keyboard shortcuts for moving between open images
• Photoshop CS4 Interface Improvements
• Photoshop CS4 Interface
• Photoshop Feature 34_ Save for Web and Devices
• Photoshop Feature 40_ Reset and Purge

Selecting

• Changing to the Hand Tool while using the Lasso Tool
• Making Accurate Selection with Quick Mask
• Moving Selections Easily
• Moving Selections, Not the Layer
• Photoshop Feature 25_ Selection Calculations
• Photoshop Feature 35_ Refine Edge
• Quick Selection Tip
• Quick Selection Tool Tip
• Quick Selection Tool
• Saving Selections
• Selecting A Layer The Right Way
• Selections in Action
• Transforming Selections
• Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool - A trick to change to the lasso tool midway
• Using the Quick Selection Tool along with the Refine Edge Command
• Visually Adding or Subtracting from Selections
• Warning_ No pixels are more than 50% selected
• Warping a Selection
• Work Path Into Selection

Sharpening Images

• Using the High Pass Filter

Smart Objects

• Photoshop Feature 18_ Smart Objects

Styles

• How to turn Layer Effects into Styles you can use over and over again.
• Image - Tutorial - Creating a Style

Transform Command

• Using Transform to Create a Drop Shadow (and more)

Type

• Bold and Italic for Fonts that Don't Have Them
• Change the Shape of One Letter by Converting Type to a Shape Layer
• Finding Fonts Quickly in your Font List
• Photoshop Feature 38_ Vector Type
• Positioning New Type Layers
• Type on a Path

Undo, History, Revert - How to fix your mess-ups!

• Photoshop Feature 7_ Undo, History, and Revert

 

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Internet Resources that Teach Photoshop

• Photoshop User TV
• Photoshop Killer Tips
• Lynda.com Video Training
• Photoshop Top 40 with Deke McClelland
• Adobe Video Workshop
• Photoshop Tutorials Group at DeviantArt.com
• www.photoshopessentials.com
• www.adobe.com/support/photoshop
• tv.adobe.com/product/photoshop/
• sxc.hu (Free Stock Image Site)

Nathan's Galleries

• nmsmith.deviantart.com
• nmsmith at Caedes.net