Three exercises to start Photoshop

The concept of "straight out JPG = True Photography" Clearly has a problem, because it is just the work of imaging, given to the camera's factory setting. But even in the late no resistance, many photography novice still because of Photoshop function is too powerful, complex interface, the result of fear or the lack of starting to deter. Of course, it doesn't have to be photoshop to fix the picture, but if you're interested in it and want to get to know the software better, try the following "three-paragraph exercises".

　Objective

There are many ways to learn Photoshop, such as taking classes, reading books, and browsing websites. As for "learning according to need" is often the most efficient, because the most dynamic, learning things can be applied immediately, so particularly quick to start. So to get rid of the fear of PS, first from the "You need" part of the beginning, to master certain operating skills, nature can learn more advanced skills, more carefully shape your work.

However, for beginners, always a little chicken first egg problem, because you use less PS post-processing, it is less easy to detect your photos have problems, where to deal with. The following three stages of practice will help you learn more.

　　The first stage: improve exposure and contrast by curve

Using curves (curves) and layers (layer) can be said to be the most basic of PS but also the skill of the mystery, many people look at the fear. But it's not as hard to imagine as it is, knowing this from the beginning will greatly reduce your fear of PS.

Why is it used to improve exposure? Since most new photographers rely on the automatic metering/exposure of the camera, the camera does not give the most appropriate exposure according to the content of the screen, and often causes the subject to be exposed to undesirable circumstances, such as the following image is a typical bad photo.

After PS opens the picture, the following image in the layer (Layers) window opens the adjustment layer named Curve (Curves) (adjustment layer).

If you do not have this layer (Layer) of the Windows page, you can go to the window (Windows) –> layer (Layers) (or press F7)

If you don't know how to open the adjustment layer in the Layer window, you can go to the layer –> create a new adjustment layer –> curve

You can see the next picture right, in the original picture of you, has covered a new layer, double click the blue arrow Point of view, you can open the following figure left shows a curve adjustment window.

This window (which can be pulled large and narrow) uses a histogram similar to the chevron (histogram), tells you the photo of the exposure, in short, it is your photo of the light and dark distribution, the Red arrow refers to the place, that is, the light of the part of almost no pixels, and most of the photos of the pixels are biased to the dark part ( The center line is left), so the photo does not look light enough, concentrated in the middle also appear gray, did not achieve the bright feeling of the cherry blossom photos.

What do we do? Use the curve instead of "brightness/contrast" to give you a clearer picture of your own reality and make appropriate adjustments.

Above the left, is to reset the "highlight", that is, let the image "exhaust" the entire range, color and exposure is richer; in the middle of the picture is pulled high center, the whole becomes bright and natural; the right picture is an S-shaped curve, the light is more light, the darker is darker, that is to increase the contrast. There are many ways to adjust, but not detailed.

The following figure is the adjusted curve, the overall brighter, darker places (such as branches) become darker, so the contrast is stronger. It is worth noting that you can click on the "Eye" of the red arrow and you can turn on/off the effect of the layer at any time, allowing you to compare it instantly. When you are finished, save it as a JPG file.

How to use the curve, and there is no certain restrictions, but if you do it once, and fine-tune the effect you like, then you have a basic understanding of a few things:

1 The basic application of the layer

2) The basic operation of the curve

3 The interpretation of photo exposure

In other words, if the general error is not too large, you can already rely on their own PS adjustment, the camera is not enough contrast to the picture, also tuned more eye-catching. You'll be able to learn more about the application of the curve in the future, and more about using the adjustment layer technique. (in addition to the curve, there are many different adjustment layers).

Suppose you have mastered the basic use of adjusting the layer + curve to change the overall exposure and contrast, but sometimes we need to be local improvement, such as the next picture is a piece of the exposure is OK, the next half of the exposure of the photos, how to do?

　　Phase II: Using Camera Raw for photo editing

It is convenient to use camera raw in Photoshop, especially in the way of using the lever, simple and straightforward. First to file –> open as (open as)

Then open the picture by selecting camera Raw for the following figure.

After opening the interface is shown below. The Red Arrows refer to tools such as tailoring, straightening, brushes, flipping, and so on. The blue arrow is a fine item in the editing picture, for example, currently shows adjustable color temperature, exposure, highlights, dark, bright degree, and so on, because a pull to see the effect, we can try to themselves, in particular, to lighten the shadow, and let the exposure too much of the place to pull darker, quite practical and simple.

Particularly recommended Red Arrows pointed to the gradient filter, very convenient for this scenery photos, the following picture of the next half of the adjustment, become bright, the upper half of the cherry blossom is not affected, even color temperature, sharpness can be adjusted separately.

If you like to use curves, the right column (red Arrow) also provides, and even more advanced adjustment function, you can learn later. If you prefer the use of camera Raw, you can press the position of the blue arrow mouth to open the setting.

Will pop up the following window, in the red arrow position choose to open jpg directly with camera Raw. (But if you are editing raw file, you are directly using camera raw to open)

You might say, wow, Camera Raw is so convenient, why not use it directly at the beginning?

1 in the second stage, is the hope that you first overcome the fear of PS, and their own photos have a more serious understanding, rather than by feeling in the lever (although it is also possible).

2) Another revision of the software Lightroom is actually camera raw of the advanced version, with a little PS basis to know Lightroom, personally think it will be better, and then continue to learn a certain concept.

3 after the use of camera raw, you will also find that JPG late elasticity is not enough, so novice you also began to want to shoot with raw.

The next step is to understand another important attempt by the novice for Photoshop.

　Phase III: Trial of various types of precision repair tools

How to solve the red pen mark on the desktop?

In fact, camera raw on the stain can be removed, but this time is the hope that the novice through the PS. The following figure selects the Stain repair brush tool.

Wipe on the red mark.

Complete.

It's so simple. Here want to try, is actually let the novice with the mouse directly in the picture, because PS one of the focus is the pixel level of processing, whether it is brush, deepen Dodge, select, back to the bottom, grinding, and so on, must be directly painted on the photo. Many of the things that look very difficult are handled by photographers with great care, supplemented by a highly intelligent automated function of PS. Each small step, finally becomes the big transformation of the picture.

Try this way as soon as possible, you can overcome the resistance to learn PS refined pictures of the mentality, this will be a higher level.

Category:

• PS Getting Started Tutorial