Photoshop: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Basic Photo Corrections

At the end of this chapter, you should be able to describe the strengths and limitations of various retouching strategies used in the chapter, and know which tools to use for specific repairs.

Goals for this Lesson

• Understand image resolution and size.
• View and access files in Adobe Bridge.
• Straighten and crop an image.
• Adjust the tonal range of an image.
• Use the Spot Healing Brush tool to repair part of an image.
• Use the content-aware Patch tool to remove or replace objects.
• Use the Clone Stamp tool to touch up areas.
• Remove digital artifacts from an image.
• Apply the Smart Sharpen filter to finish retouching photos.

Objective

Cropping an image is easy — the hard part is cropping an image in an interesting way. In this project, you will use the Crop tool grids and other options to create an interesting cropped image.

• Learn how the Crop tool’s grid options work.
• Make appropriate crops using the Crop tool.
• Use the straighten crop option

Grading (5 Points)

• You met the minimum requirements of the project assignment, as outlined in the instructions and submission requirements.
• You used good judgment in the tools and steps you chose to make the cropped image, based on the presentation.
• You cropped the image in an interesting way.
• Did you save the file appropriately?
• Is the exercise submitted on time?

Instructions

You will try different Crop tool options to crop an image according to the specifications.

CROPPING USING AN ASPECT RATION

1. Download the image files you need here.
2. Open the two project files, and save each one in the Photoshop (.psd) format (choose File > Save As, and choose Photoshop from the Format pop-up menu)
3. Display the doors.jpg file and use the crop tool to create a new image that has a 4-by-5-inch aspect ratio.
4. The original horizontal image must be cropped vertically (portrait orientation).
5. The cropped image must be interesting in its own right, without special effects added. (You may rotate the image) The interest comes from the crop itself, which could emphasize realism, abstraction, or another aspect.
6. Click OK, and save the change.

CROPPING USING THE STRAIGHTEN OPTION

1. Display the landscape.jpg file.
2. Use the crop tool and the straighten option to straighten the image on its horizon.
3. Click OK, and save the change.
4. Submit both files in the network drive in a folder named Chapter2Ex1_(YourInitials).

Objective

You have been hired to retouch some portraits within a group of advertisements. Photoshop provides many retouching tools, such as the Patch, Spot Healing, Healing Brush, and Color Replacement tools, and filters that can be used for retouching, such as Surface Blur. Figure out which tool or filter is most appropriate for each task.

• Use the Spot Healing Brush to remove blemishes and other imperfections
• Use the Content Aware Fill tool to remove an object
• Use the Content Aware Patch tool to remove a an object from an image

Grading (5 Points)

• You met the minimum requirements of the project assignment, as outlined in the instructions and submission requirements.
• Your retouching work is undetectable.
• Your retouching work is appropriate for the approximate age of the figures and wasn’t overdone (the portraits still look natural).
• Your selections are neat and clean
• Did you save the file appropriately?
• Is the exercise submitted on time?

Instructions

Download exercise files here.

REMOVE BLEMISHES WITH SPOT HEALING TOOL

1. Open the girlwithhat.jpg.
2. Use the Spot Healing tool to remove many of the blemishes on the girls face. Make sure Content-Aware is selected in the options menu after you select the spot healing brush.
3. Use many of the other retouching tools you learned to whiten her teeth, brighten her eyes, and fix her skin tone.
4. Save the changes.

REMOVE UNWANTED OBJECTS WITH THE PATCH TOOL AND CONTENT AWARE FILL

1. Open bench.jpg.
2. Use the content aware patch tool to remove the bench that is located on the left side of the picture. Make sure Content-Aware is selected in the options menu after you select the patch tool. Also be sure to select the correct option for Adaptation in the options menu.
3. Use the content aware fill option to remove the window that is located in the center of the picture. In the fill dialog box make sure that content aware is chosen.
4. Save the changes.

USE CONTENT AWARE FILL AND SPOT HEALING TOGETHER

1. Open landscape.jpg.
2. Use the magic wand tool, and click on the white area around the landscape that is not filled in. You should have a selection around the image. Use the content aware fill option to remove the white area. (In the fill dialog box make sure that content aware is chosen.)
3. The image should now be completely filled in with the landscape, revealing no white space.
4. Zoom in and you may see some white imperfections where the white area met the landscape. Using the spot healing brush clean up any imperfections around the image that may have been left behind from using content aware fill.
5. Save the changes.
6. Submit both files in the network drive in a folder named Chapter2Ex2_(YourInitials).