Photoshop Workshop

Photoshop is only used to amend existing images and it works with Bitmap Graphics as oppose to Vector Graphics, therefore to avoid getting a pixelated outcome, you should never adjust the size of the image you're working from. The higher the quality of the image the more pixels in each inch.

When using Photoshop work primarily with RGB which is the colour mode the image will be displayed on the screen in. The image can only be converted to CMYK once you have finish editing, because CMYK cannot replicate the colours in the image. Changing the colour mode to CMYK is a destructive transformation, it makes the image appear duller and cannot be changed back to RGB

You will need to produce a 'proof'  while in CMYK colour mode for your client to show the colouring while not permanently affecting the image.

Put the image in 'Gamut Warning' before amending the colours, to ensure that the changes will not be destructive.

By using an adjustment layer (half circle symbol) the image itself is not being altered. Click on Hue/Saturation and adjust accordingly to change the level of detail in the original image.

In Gamut warning you can change the colour of the light which in some cases enhances the detail of the image.

We worked with another image to look at levels. You can access the levels option under the adjustment layer symbol.

The graph shows the spectrum of colours, enabling you to adjust the lights darks and mid tones. When editing in an adjustment layer you can apply a mask attachment to the layer, symbolised with a white rectangle next to the padlock symbol. To mask an area you must ensure that the foreground is black and then paint the areas you don't want adjusted using a 0% hard brush to ensure that the edges will not blur.

A problem for many photographers is then a light background blocks out the detail of a darker foreground. Using the Quick Selection tool you are able to select the dark foreground and go to Levels under Adjustment Layer and alter the selected area.

To avoid bleaching out the gaps in the statue, use the Magic Wand option to select each area. Go to Edit - Fill and select to use black.

You can use the same Quick Selection tool to alter any other part of the image, for example by selecting the sky background I was able to adjust the saturation of it without affecting the rest of the image.