Photoshop Lessons:

[Jess]

I don't consider myself an expert in the subject, but I'm willing to share the knowledge that I have with others. I figured it would be cool if others could pitch in to share with those who are less knowledgeable. I'll start by posting this video on how to remove backgrounds....... Feel free to ask questions or to share your knowledge on the subject. :)

<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/2JbpHMyJ4b03Ji2Wz"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/2JbpHMyJ4b03Ji2Wz" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2k6uf_remove-a-background-using-photoshop">Remove a Background Using Photoshop</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

[riva2model64]

thanks jess. they say it takes twice as much knowledge to teach something rather than to know it

[Jess]

Another way to do this if your lazy and have a simple background, is to use your magic wand (second tool to the right side). I only recommend this if you have a simple background (like from a one color background wallpaper). Click the background with your wand tool, multi-select by holding shift as you click, and press delete or backspace. Make sure your not deleting part of the image, but if you make a mistake just go to edit and undo or go back. Sometimes you will still need to use your eraser tool a bit, and sometimes just by adding drop shadow is good enough. I've done this before myself, hope this helps someone. Also make sure you save this as a .PNG to save it as a cut-out without the white as background. ;)

Here's a short clip to show an example of what I'm referring to above...... ;)
<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/5V2yhDphZB2JOi5Zc"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/5V2yhDphZB2JOi5Zc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2kfva_extracting-using-the-magic-wand-too_school">Extracting Using the Magic Wand Tool</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

Using the magic wand tool or using blending options to remove backgrounds.
<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/13k6uoimdkESjiuzg"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/13k6uoimdkESjiuzg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mgs2_extracting-using-wand-tool-blending_school">Extracting Using Wand Tool &amp; Blending Options</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

[RadioactiveMan]

Thanks for the video, Jess. I didn't know how to work the last two tools there.

I like to use the pen tool occasionally. It's good for curves and things that are challenging to do with a brush type tool. I'll try to find a tutorial for it since it's tricky sometimes.

[atra201]

thanks very much jess

[Zack -Alizee Lover-]

I use Fireworks....

[espire]

Though Fireworks does have image editing, Photoshop is generally the better choice if you do that exclusively. Fireworks is more geared to fun web effects.

[Jess]

If you ever take a desktop publishing or graphic design class, this is the way they will show you to remove backgrounds (with pen tool), but not exactly the easiest way..... The good thing about photoshop is that there is a lot of different ways of doing things, and the more you learn the more you realize how much more there is to be learned. Here is two more videos, and two more ways of removing the backgrounds....... :)

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[Jess]

Here's another way to change the background, without actually removing it (first video). The best way to do this is by first making a mask of the image you intent to keep, see video on how to do this (second video). Make sure the mode is set at normal and the opacity is set at 100% in large areas, reduce this along with the brush size when working around the edges or in small areas.

<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/7dGGFIrCo011Di6Q8"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/7dGGFIrCo011Di6Q8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2kieg_cloning-between-two-images_school">Cloning Between Two Images</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

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[Hyrus]

Hey Jess, thanks a lot for the tuts!

I'm a really noob at PS and the vids have been very useful for me, specially the first one that shows the filter>extract technique. I wonder if u know a tutorial on how to change the color of objects in an image, like in this one:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283/mika0017/alizee-blue.jpg
(image by Optimist)

I have tried using the color replacement tool but obviously it's not that easy. Therefore I would appreciate u post a vid showing how to do it.
Thanks and c u around ;)

[Jess]

"Thanks Hyrus", and here's your request. The easiest way to change colors without ruining the texture on your subject is as follows. First you'll need to make a good selection of the subject you want to change colors, to isolate the action to just this subject. To make a selection (opposite of masking) start by using your magic wand tool and click on larger areas (multi select by holding the shift key) without selecting outside of your subject, then hold down the shift key and use your lasso tool to finish the selection (zoom-in to do a better job). Once you have a good selection proceed to change the color as shown in video (2)....

Another way to make a selection is by reversing quick mask into a selection.
<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/7BmFgr5fT0klLius6"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/7BmFgr5fT0klLius6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mgfq_making-quick-mask-work-for-you_school">Making Quick Mask Work for You</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

<div><object width="520" height="409"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/STLkjtPhwNcHdiqq4"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/STLkjtPhwNcHdiqq4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="409" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2m4h4_easy-color-changing_school">Easy Color Changing</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

Here's the results of applying what the video shows on your previous pic... :) made a quick selection not 100% http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3884/alizeebluepurpleib4.jpg

[Uméesha]

nice tips for the the rookies jess, good.....

[Killian]

Sorry for the silly question guys, but is there any way to improve the quality of this image:
http://moi-alizee.us/forums/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=31055&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=db822ab3b4d8bd71927dd5e45159f5ab

to look as clear as Lili in this image:
http://moi-alizee.us/forums/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=36307&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=db822ab3b4d8bd71927dd5e45159f5ab

If not sorry. But if there is could someone tell me how. Or even better do it for me (if it doesn't take long) because I suck... Oh yeah, and thanks guys.

[marik]

someone? photoshops? and is the Ulead Photo ImpactXL is good?

[Uméesha]

someone? photoshops? and is the Ulead Photo ImpactXL is good?

hey marik Ulead photo is nice but you prefer Photoshop CS, it is better than Ulead photo impact!

[marik]

hey marik Ulead photo is nice but you prefer Photoshop CS, it is better than Ulead photo impact!]

ok! is it freeware?:confused:

[Jess]

Thanks for posting a question Killian, and thanks Umesh for your comments. Ok, now were getting into more interesting stuff..... There is a ton of ways to fix a photo, but I'll start by posting the most basic and quick way of doing this. Here's two videos on color correcting...... ;)

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<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/3HI68vzFjuPmbiuuF"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/3HI68vzFjuPmbiuuF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mgk5_color-correct-your-image-like-a-pro_school">Color Correct Your Image Like a Pro</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>

[Jess]

Here's the results on applying color correcting on the two pics that were posted earlier, only color correcting was done no retouching or anything else...... How do you like me now Killian? ;) :)

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/5226/alizeescreencxff8.th.jpg (http://img224.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alizeescreencxff8.jpg)

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9606/alizeecolorcxql1.jpg

[Uméesha]

]

ok! is it freeware?:confused:

yeah its a free ware marik... you can downlaod for cnet.com or download.com.... ill give u some of the downloading websites of Ulead!

[heyamigo]

killian, i don't really think that's possible because one is a screen capture of a video and i think the other one is a straight photograph. you can try to sharpen and get rid of noise, but in the end you won't have a photo like image off a screen capture because TV resolutions are low and often have some sort of an interlacing.

[Jess]

If you have a Mac and would like to have a copy of Photoshop Cs for free I have uploaded it here.....
(If it doesn't download, please let me know) http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7VSZYJBV

If you want anything else from my list, let me know..... ;)
http://moi-alizee.us/forums/showthread.php?t=2027&highlight=Adobe

[Killian]

Thanks Jess, those pictures look great now ;)!

[Uméesha]

yeah its looking good now! before and after.. great jess

[Jess]

Here's a quick tip....... The easiest and fastest way to better an image, whether it's a picture or artwork, is to change the resolution. By default Photoshop sets image resolution at 72 dpi (dots per inch) referred to as the web standard. Whether the image was uploaded as a photoshop jpg or not, it most likely is set at 72 dpi. Create a new document to at least 300 dpi (more for posters) and drag your image or picture on it, and you will have a better image immediately. Apply this to any work you do instead of working strait on the image you downloaded, and you will have a better result. See the following two images for comparisons, the first is set at 72 dpi and the second is set at 300 dpi. Some of you might like the first one because she has a lighter skin tone, but thats not the point. The point is the second one has more detail, this is specially important if you ever want to print your images or designs.....

for more info on understanding resolution go here..... ;)
http://www.designer-info.com/Writing/image_resolution.htm

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9035/alizeecolorcx72resed1.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9606/alizeecolorcxql1.jpg

[Runner Simon]

Got some guide movies for elements 4.0 to? I can't find any

[Justin]

I don't consider myself an expert in the subject, but I'm willing to share the knowledge that I have with others. I figured it would be cool if others could pitch in to share with those who are less knowledgeable. I'll start by posting this video on how to remove backgrounds....... Feel free to ask questions or to share your knowledge on the subject. :)

thanks Jess for posting that. but im still confused on how to work photoshop :( I dont get anything on that program:confused: probably the only way ill ever learn is for someone else to teach me in real life.

[Jess]

Justin you need to have a little more faith in yourself, you're no different then we are and if we can do it you can too. All it takes is a little training and a lot of practice just like everything else. The best way to learn is trial and error, and remember before you save your actions you can always go to edit 'go back' or 'undo'. Here's a very easy tip on color correction, in automatic mode.... ;)

<div><object width="520" height="406"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/1g1viwgSfOZvqj4a8"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/1g1viwgSfOZvqj4a8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520" height="406" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2pecs_auto-color-correction_school">Auto Color Correction</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/JessLab">JessLab</a></i></div>