Course Details Course Aim
To utilise the power and capabilities of the popular image editing software [Adobe Photoshop Elements] to manage, organise and improve the appearance of your digital images. Image file storage, organisation and backup will be covered as will the use of various editing and retouching techniques to enhance, combine and utilise your digital images. Finished images will be combined within electronic and printed media. This course is designed for those already familiar with the capture of digital images and who wish to begin to explore digital editing. Course Programme (this may be modified in the light of the interests of course members)
The course will be broadly split across five key areas with sub topics as described below. Each topic will be discussed with the group and supported, where possible, by practical demonstration. Course members will be encouraged to try their hand at the various techniques and procedures both 'in session' with tutor lead examples and as set 'projects' at home. A fun interactive 'end of course' quiz will be conducted during the last session to reinforce the topics and skills learned. 1. The User Interface:
a) Review the 'Organiser' and 'Editor' interfaces;
b) Running the software from the 'Welcome' screen;
c) Switching between the 'Organiser' and 'Editor';
d) The menu and tool options bars explored;
e) The pallet and workspace areas explained. 2. The Image Library:
a) Transferring image files from a digital camera or scanner to computer;
b) Creating 'Watched' folders;
c) Applying Tags, Star Ratings and Collections;
d) Conduct efficient image searches;
e) Using and customising the 'Organiser' effectively. 3. Tools, Filters & Layers:
a) The various tools explored and described ;
b) The filter effects explored and described;
c) The powerful 'Layers' feature explained;
d) The various 'Selection Tools' explored;
e) Using all the above to carry out various editing actions. 4. Image Editing & Retouching:
a) The structure of a digital image files & pixel manipulation;
b) Manipulating pixels with software the theory;
c) Using simple image corrective techniques and more advanced editing;
d) Creating image panoramas, montages and various image combinations;
e) Image editing for aesthetic, restorative and artistic purposes. 5. Image Utilisation:
a) Creating copies of edited images suitable for their final intended use;
b) Creation of photo montage, panoramas and other forms of image composition;
c) Incorporation of images within various electronic and printed media;
d) Printing of edited images/documents with a basic intro to 'Colour Mnagement'. Planned Learning Outcomes (these may be modified in the light of course members interests)
By the end of the course you should be able to:
1. Run either Elements 'Organiser' or 'Editor' from the application's 'Welcome' screen and switch between either application as required by the task;
2. Import image files into the 'organiser' application and apply customised tags to enable efficient image recovery using the search features;
3. Demonstrate the use of 'Layers', Layer Mask and Blend Modes to improve the level of control, maintain original image integrity while carrying out a prescribed editing task;
4. Select and demonstrate the use of the most applicable Selection and Editing tool(s) in order to carry out prescribed editing tasks;
5. Incorporate edited images within electronic documents such as pdf files, MS Word, email and Desk Top Published files. Teaching methods
This will be a 'hands on' practical course with members using their own laptop computer & software to 'follow along' and duplicate editing examples both during each session and at home in between sessions. The tutor will use his own laptop/software, connected to a digital projector, to explain and demonstrate the various features and capabilities of the software. Course members will be expected to duplicate this activity on their own laptop and to work through various examples. Editing projects will be proved for members to complete at home. The intention will be to thoroughly explore the various sections of the software and to carry out both simple and more complex editing of supplied sample images and to assist members with particular editing queries involving their own images/projects. In addition to corrective editing we will explore combining images in panoramas and montages as well as restoring old or damaged photos. The tutor will provide extensive 'session notes' as well as sample images and email support throughout the course. Other information is available via a dedicated course website [see below]. Entry Requirements (course level, prior experience, equipment, materials etc required)
This is an introductory [level 1] course for those new to the subject but who are already familiar with creating digital images using a camera and/or scanner. The course will be based around the use of Adobe's 'Photoshop Elements' software for Windows(TM)©, version 5 -7. Course members will be required to bring their own laptop computer with this software installed to each session. It may be possible to borrow a laptop [limited availability] to be allocated on a 'first come first served' basis. Those wishing to borrow a laptop should make this known when pre-enrolling for this course. Note: Apple Macintosh users may attend but should note that the software is currently only available as v6 and does not include the Organisational application. No prior experience is necessary. Basic computer skills are required with course members being able to run software, open/save files and navigate their way round their document and folders hierarchy. The course will be limited to a maximum of 15 persons, with a minimum of 12 persons enrolling. Additional essential costs to learners
None, unless the learner plans to purchase optional related book(s), computer mouse [advisable at ~£20] and/or graphics tablet [not essential ~ £50]. Note that it is possibly to download a 'trial version' of the latest Adobe Elements software, which is fully functional but limited to a 30 day evaluation period, after which the software may be either purchased [~£70 from Adobe] or deleted. Also note that it is sometimes possible to purchase this software online at more competitive costs than that offered by Adobe. Learners are advised to 'shop around' if considering purchase. Further study and progression
The Tutor will discuss opportunities for further study etc during the course. Some information about your tutor
Your tutor has been interested in photography from the late 1960's developing and printing B&W photos taken with a variety of cameras and using different film types and formats. The advent of affordable digital consumer cameras in the 1990's allowed him to combine this 'new' photography with a parallel interest in computers. Your tutor regularly uses digital cameras of several types to obtain images of terrestrial/celestial subjects which he incorporates in both online and printed media. Your tutor is very happy to discuss any aspect of this course with potential members and contact details and further information about the course can be found at the tutor's dedicated website at: www.tmpullen.org.uk/wea/ Short booklist (including journals)
TITLE AUTHOR PUBLISHER
Digital Photographers Handbook Tom Ang D&K
40 Digital Photo Retouching Techniques Jack Lee Youngjin Inc
Digital Camera Mag Monthly Magazine Future Media Publishing Relevant web-links, blogs, etc.
To be provided during the course.
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