Lesson 4. The Light

Use light to your advantage. Understand quality of light. See the direction of light. Relish the color of light.

Lesson 6. Improve your image

Creative filters. The ultimate image quality. Sharing your photographs.

Jumpstart Photoshop

is based on version 5/5.5, but does include version 6.0 references where important. Because this video is based on core elements of Photoshop for the photographer, it really applies to most versions of Photoshop commonly used today. Contents of the video include:

• The best ways of navigating Photoshop
• Important image management tips
• Why the Image/Adjust menu is key for photographers
• 5 ways to adjust the vital elements of tonality and contrast of a photograph
• 5 ways to effectively control color
• How to control your adjustments to very precise areas
• How to easily straighten crooked horizons
• How to use the Ansel Adams edge darkening technique
• And of course, much more

Jumpstart Photoshop Layers

goes to the next level beyond Jumpstart Photoshop and helps you understand and use Layers for your photography. There is no question that layers can add a level of complexity to Photoshop that is very intimidating. Jumpstart Photoshop Layers includes:

• A real-world explanation of how layers work and how to think about them
• How to get into layers by using adjustment layers
• Duplicate layers and their many uses from experimenting to multiplayer adjustments to special effects
• How to use layer masks
• Making effective use of selections and layers H
• ow to get layers to interact or “talk” to each other, including the four most important photographic layer modes

Enlightened Photography - Photoshop by Example

Enlightened Photography means using the power of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to bring out the photographic best from your images. This is a program for all photographers, to take your photos to the next level by enhancing and enriching your pictures in the digital darkroom of Photoshop. Enlightened Photography includes:

• A four-step process for putting all Photoshop adjustments into a context that you can use again and again
• The power of Levels revealed and explained; why setting black correctly is a critical step for great prints
• A simple, yet very powerful technique for color correction
• How to control the eye of your viewer so you can ensure they see what is most important in your photos
• How to deal with too light and too dark parts of an image that photographers always face
• How to effectively use the powerful sharpening tool, Unsharp Mask, and why it is a critical finishing stepHow to best use layers, layer masks and adjustment layers for outstanding levels of control on your image
• The video uses Photoshop CS, but all techniques work with Photoshop 5, 6, 7 and CS, plus Photoshop Elements (specific notes are given when Elements varies from Photoshop).

Adobe’s Photoshop Elements, Part 1

is a superb program for photographers. It offers so much for the average photographer at a great price. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of instruction available to help photographers make the most of it. I have distilled key elements of Elements as they apply to photographer into an 83-minute how-to video. I’ve also worked hard to present this in a photographer-friendly way.

There is a lot of power in this software for all photographers — this video will help you start using that power now. You don’t need to know everything about Photoshop Elements in order to gain from its potential and easily get your money’s worth from it. Elements video include:

• Ways to handle and protect your image in Elements
• How you can best adjust brightness and contrast of a photo
• How to effectively control color
• How to use special Elements tools such as Fill-Flash and Adjust Backlighting
• How you can gain real photographic control with selections
• How to straighten horizons T
• he Ansel Adams edge technique Cloning tips
• And, of course, much more...

Jumpstart Photoshop Elements, Part 2,

continues on from the first tape of the Jumpstart Photoshop Elements series to help you develop your skill with Elements, no matter what version of Elements you have (both Part 1 and Part 2 are totally applicable to all versions of Photoshop Elements). There is a lot of power in Elements for all photographers - this video will help you refine your use of that power. Just like Part 1, this tape is geared toward photographers. Being a photographer myself, I want to be sure you gain the photographic benefits of Photoshop Elements. If you want to make the best use of Elements, including the very powerful layers, Jumpstart Photoshop Elements, Part 2, speaks to you. Contents of the 83 minute video include:

• Understanding and using layers
• Getting the most out of adjustment layers
• How to use duplicate layers
• Easy soft-focus effect Layers to control sky and ground separately
• Changing specific colors with layers
• Darkening weak skies
• Color correction filters
• Working with text layers
• Saving layers
• Sharpening technique
• Edge darkening
• Understanding resolution
• A summary of new features in Elements 2.0
• and, of course, much more