Contents






Introduction                              ix

Understanding Adobe Photoshop CD
and Downloads                           xi

Chapter 1  Digital Imaging Fundamentals               1
Pixels: Digital Building Blocks                1
Understanding Resolution                  3
Image Mode                              5
Bit Depth                               10
Time to Move On                         10

Chapter 2  Photoshop’s Interface                      11
Understanding the Interface                12

Chapter 3  Acquiring Digital Images                   25
Digital Cameras                          25
Scanners                                31
Importing from CD/DVD                   34
Stock Photo Services                      35
Public Domain Images                     36

Chapter 4  Sizing Digital Images                      39
Resolution Revisited                      39
Resampling                             40
Resizing an Image                        42

 




vi  Contents



Chapter 5  Selection Tools and Techniques             53
Basic Selection Tools                      54
Additional Selection Commands             61
Intermediate Selection Techniques          63
Advanced Selection Techniques             71
Advice on Selections                      77

Chapter 6  Painting and Drawing Tools                79
Working with Color                       80
Painting Tools                            85
Eraser Tools                            106
Drawing Tools                          106

Chapter 7  Layer Masking                           111
Layer Mask Essentials                     111
Mask Creation Strategies                  115
Refining Masks                          121
Advice on Masks                         124

Chapter 8  Compositing with Layers                  125
What Are Layers?                        125
Why You Need Layers                    126
Working with Multiple Layers              132
Creating a Panorama                     138
Auto-Aligning Layers                     140

Chapter 9  Using Blending Modes                    143
About Blending Modes                   143
Blending Modes in Action                 147




Contents   vii


Chapter 10  Color Correction and Enhancement         153
Approach to Color Correction              153
Primary Image Adjustments               154
Useful Image Adjustments                167
Not-so-useful Image Adjustments          178

Chapter 11  Repairing and Improving Photos           181
Image Selection                         182
The Retoucher’s Toolbox                  183
Restoration in Action                     194

Chapter 12  Using the Type Tool                      209
Role of Type                            210
Choosing Fonts                         210
Using Vector Type                        212
Character Panel                         214
Paragraph Panel                        220
Modifying Text                          222

Chapter 13  Layer Styles                             227
Adding a Layer Style                     228
Working with Layer Styles                 237

Chapter 14  Maximizing Filters                       241
Filters Defined                          241
Preparing to Use Filters                   242
Understanding Filter Interfaces            243
Getting the Best Results                  247
The Guide to Standard Filters              249




viii  Contents



Chapter 15  Actions and Automation                  281
Actions                                281
Automate Commands                    289
Scripts                                298
Automation with Adobe Bridge            304

Chapter 16  Printing, PDF, and Specialized Output       311
Professional Printing Options               311
Desktop Printing Options                  313
Printing Commands                      314
PDF Essentials                           317
Specialized File Formats                   321
Specialized Processes                     328
End of the Road                         334

Bonus Exercises                          335

Index                                  338