There are MANY, MANY resources on our server as well as on the internet. Your maximum enjoyment, and ultimately your success depends on your due diligence in looking up the things you want to do.

Warning: Always “Save As” on an image, but because of JPEG Pixelization and Generational Loss, you only want to save one time. If you are editing a file, and you run out of time, save as a .psd (Photoshop document), until you finish, at which point you can resave as a JPEG. Indicated an edited file by placing an ‘e’ at the end of the file name and/or a # indicating a version.

Summary of "Save As" options:      .jpg - when you are done editing, set to quality 10        .psd - still need to edit

Basic Editing Steps

1.   Cloning

1. Click first on the Stamp Tool (s)
2. Depending on what you are trying to clone, adjust your opacity (#s 1-0) and your brush size ([ smaller, ] larger), and edge softness (shift + brackets)
3. Hold down the Alt and then sample the source area that resembles the area to repair.
4. Then, paint over the area to repair.

2.     Crop

a.       Click on Crop tool (C).

b.      Click on “Front Image” to keep image proportional to original image size (approximately 4x6”)

c.       Click and drag out area to KEEP. Straighten if necessary by dragging outside of crop area on the sides.

d.      2x Click to crop the image. Once this is done, the image is

3.      Image enhancement - Adjust Levels, apply USM (Unsharp Mask) before creating a layer or using the image in Word.

a.      Levels (Ctrl + L): This will bring up a histogram representing the If the Histogram is like the image to the right, it may not be possible to adequately correct your image.

                                                               i.      Adjust Highlight and Shadow Tone Levels under the histogram to where the curve starts to ascend.

                                                             ii.      Adjust the Mid Tone Levels for best appearance. You may have to move the slider left or right.

b.      USM settings: (UnSharp Mask…sharpens the image. See back of sheet.) or Smart Sharpen (newer versions of Photoshop)

                                                               i.      Amount:           50-150% (it just depends, don’t over sharpen)

                                                             ii.      Radius:             0.5-1.5

                                                            iii.      Threshold:        1-3

4.      Image Correction

a.       Stamp tool (s)

                                                               i.      Option Click to define a sample reference point

                                                             ii.      Click on area to “Stamp” over or fix, undo if results are not correct

b.      Dodge and/or Burn- Use a large diameter size brush (100-500), turn down exposure (10-25%)

c.       Other- Many ways to correct an image. Later, we will learn Layers, and other Special Tools, Selection Masks, Special Effects, etc.

Newer versions of Photoshop (CS2 and higher) now offer a BETTER Sharpening tool...called...Smart Sharpen: