>Resources: Movies, Practices, Web Links

Book and Software Resources:

Use www.addall.com to search for texts and other books for the least expensive prices. Peachpit Press is the publisher of most Adobe and graphic arts titles at http://www.peachpit.com/.

Following is a list of links to some academic resellers for software:

ACC special pricing check out: http://www.academicsuperstore.com/institution/select/
Prices include shipping and handling.

Campus Tech: http://www.campustech.com/c/campust/index.html
Education Resources: http://www.edresources.com/
Edu-Software: http://www.edu-software.com/
Journey Ed: http://www.journeyed.com/
Sprysoft: http://www.sprysoft.com/shop/
TRC: http://www.shoptrc.com/

Movies:

Each of the following links is to a page of movies broken down in short steps. All of thse were made using Photoshop 6. Fundamentally these tools have not changed in later versions of Photoshop so they may still prove useful.

• Pen Tool These movies show how to use the pen tool.
• Art History These movies show an approach to using the Art History brush.

Watch and Learn Photoshop Movie Links:

Following are links to the Watch and Learn Photoshop site of movies demonstrating Photoshop Techniques.

• Document Sizing Tips
  In this video tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs illustrates a few different tips for setting document size in Photoshop, including a shortcut on how to create a new document that's the same size as your current document.
• Magic Selection
  The magic wand tool can be very handy in making complex selections in Photoshop, but it has its limitations. In this video, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you another more effective way of creating magic selections.
• Tricky Selections
  It's not always easy to make complex selections in your Photoshop images, but in this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you one very effective way to use the highlights in an image to make a selection in order to alter an image. (Uses adjusment layers and masking techniques.)
• Series Preview - Working With Layers
  Working with layers is one of the most important aspects of working in Photoshop. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will walk you through the basics of getting around in the layers palette.
• Rubber Band
  The pen tool can be a little tricky to use, and until you get used to it, you might not always know where your next anchor point is going to leave you. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to use the Rubber Band option with your pen tool, which will allow you to see hints of what your shape will look like.
• Levels Adjustment
  You may already know the basics of the levels adjustment tool, but in this video, Geoff Riggs will show you a neat little trick you may not have known. Using this method you'll be able to very quickly and effectively adjust the brightness and contrast of your image in a very intuitive manner.
• Masking Basics
  Understanding what masks are and how they work in Photoshop can open up many doors for creative design. In this video excerpt from the video series, "Getting Started in Photoshop CS 2", Geoff Riggs explains the basics of what masks are and how to use them. (Includes Layer Masks and Quick Mask.)
• Using Layer Masks
  A layer mask in Photoshop is basically a way of hiding and revealing certain parts of a layer. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create, edit, delete, and modify layer masks in Photoshop.
• Using Clipping Masks
  You've all seen postcards or advertisements with a picture of something inside a block of bold text. In this tutorial, you'll learn just how easy it can be to achieve this effect.
• Gradient Mask Blur
  In this tutorial, you will learn how to add a gradient mask to add a blur effect to the background in your photos. After this tutorial, your digital pics will be winning awards.
• Using Paths to Crop the Background
  Want to separate an object in a photograph from all the clutter surrounding it? Paths are a great way to create a smooth, accurate selection around any object - no matter what's in the background. This tip shows how to create a simple path around an object, convert the path to a selection and then mask out the background so the selected object becomes an independent image
• Size a Photo for the Web
  When you need to resize a photo for the web, it's important to preserve as much of the quality of the original image as possible. Maintain the highest image quality by following the steps in this tip. Learn to crop, change the resolution and resize a photo for the web, while minimizing the number of times it's processed in Photoshop.

Practices:

Each of the links below are of short tutors that have been written by Donna Pauler using Photoshop. All are PDF's. These are used in the Digital Imaging I classes at ACC. These tutors are updated for CS4 though most can work well with earlier versions of the software.

• File Formats Practice
• Image Editing Practice
• Edges Practice
• Layer Comps Practice
• Clipping Masks Practice
• Gradient Mask Practice
• Layer Masks Practice
• Pen Selections Practice
• Vectors practice
• Type Formatting Practice
• Brushes Practice
• History Brush Practice
• Web Optimization Practice

Selected Web Links:

Following are a few selected links that have tutors and other materials about using Photoshop. Additional links to more sites are at www.austincc.edu/pauler/links.html. If you have problems with broken links please e-mail Donna Pauler at pauler@austincc.edu.

• Adobe Digital Imaging Main Page
  http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/main.html
  This is Adobe's site for digital imaging. Software includes Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Lightroom. Choose Communities>Education for K-12, Higher Education or Student areas. Click Support>Training for additional training opportunities. Choose the Design Center>Photoshop for more tutorials here: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/tutorials/ Additional link to print tutors: http://www.adobe.com/print/tips/
• Adobe Video Workshop
  http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/
  This has many video demonstrations primarily using Adobe CS 3 products. Worth a look even though Adobe is up to CS5.
• Adobe TV
  http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/
  Started with CS 4 and 5. Covers demonstrations with all products with focus on different specialties. Check out the "Channels" (topics) especially about CS 5 and "content aware" options.
• BertMonroy
  http://www.bertmonroy.com/
  Photoshop Illustrator and artist. Uses photos for reference, but completely draws/creates his art from bottom up. Site has tutors and hints as well as a gallery of his art. Includes "pod casts".
• National Association of Professional Photoshop Users
  http://www.photoshopuser.com/
  Link to Photoshop TV, training and some tutors and other resources. Provides information on member benefits.
• Janee's Photoshop Tutorials
  http://www.myjanee.com/tutorials.htm
  This site also has tutors on Photoshop Elements. Categories of tutors include Shapes, Pen Tool, Brushes, Lettering & Text Effects, Textures & Special Effects (water, TV lines,), Photo Fixing, Photo Art and Nifty Ideas.
• Planet Photoshop**
  http://www.planetphotoshop.com/
  Many tutorials. A very rich site. Has both video and print tutorials.
• Russell Brown, Photoshop Guru
  http://www.russellbrown.com/
  Movies and tutors with lots of hints on techniques.
• Watch and Learn Photoshop
  http://watchandlearnphotoshop.com/
  This site provides many tutorials on Photoshop techniques. You must sign in and allow them to send you updates of their sample videos. Links to selected demos are listed on this web site above. They sell training videos which may be of interest to some of you.
• A full page of additional links is at: Pauler's Link Page.