Project 6 - Nolan Shearer

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool?

It seemed that everything was a little more user friendly. Definitely a lot easier.

a) What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background?

No harmed pixels & again easier.

b) Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to

more closely define your edges?

Of course! I didn't see myself over using it but it definitely was nice to have.

c) What were your challenges?

Figuring out how to manipulate the shadows. It took me forever to remember how to do that process.

2. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool?

What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects?

I used the puppet warp to conform my text (in my other pictures) to the background. I found it to be a very fun way to make the text a part of the picture and not just a title. I definitely see myself using this tool to tweak certain part of pictures to make them perfect.

3. When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette?

When I don't have time or the need to specific detail.

4. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you

might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit?

Not really, the book is usually pretty simple. The hard part is implementing these things into your own pictures. I'm just glad I get to keep this book! I didn't get to the extra credit. Just the project in itself takes a very large amount of time...sorry!

5. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?

I really only use a couple of shortcuts, I ALWAYS use "V" (move tool) and CMD+S (save)

PROJECT 6

Tresa Cavanaugh Project 7 Text & Vector Graphics

We just sold this Jetta so I put it on the road!

Blog answers:

1. Preferred method of creating text would be the Text Tool. Easy and quick to manipulate.

2. I liked being able to bend and resize text using warp.

3. Using the pen tool was quite a problem for me. It was easy to follow the dots in the lesson because they were pre-arranged. Creating the curves to fit my object was extremely frustrating and I hope my endproduct isn't too bad.

4. The shape tool was cool. Yes I made one just for fun in my composite. It was irregular and shaded down just to add another element.

5. Not sure how to use Smart Objects other than how we used them in the lesson.

6. Keyboard shortcuts are getting easier and more commonly used and the shortcut list I have will come in handy for all future projects.

My link is: ftp://tresacavanaugh21@sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/tresacavanaugh21/Filemanagement/Project7/Project%207/photoshopwebsite7.htm

Karlyn Gibson- Project 6

1.  Masking seems easier than selecting and using the refining edge tool because you don't have to make a perfect selection.  You use the refining edge tool later on to tweak and adjust after making an initial rough selection.  The biggest challenge was holding on to the integrity of the image and its edges while working to refine the mask and selection.
2.  My intended result with the puppet warp tool was to move the tails of the whales/dolphins to create a different look.
3.  I would use the quick mask tool instead of the mask pallette if I just needed to alter a small portion of the image that could be easily selected by painting.
4.  I did not find the channels portion of the book challenging.
5.  I now use copy, paste, zoom in, zoom out, deselect, [ and ] regularly.
6.  http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/karlyngibson80/Filemanagement/Project6/website/

Project 7 - Adam Staiger

1. Please describe your preferred method of creating text and the layer effects to
make it stand out.
Oddly, I don't like using paths for text; I prefer just using the text tool. While using paths definitely gives you more flexibility in terms of where and what the text does, it does take a bit of time to get up and jimmy with, so I prefer the faster, more straight-forward method of just using the text tool and layer effects.

2. In which way did you like results from using clipping masks for text and shapes?
Do you think you will use them in future projects? Why or why not?
It definitely makes things easier to work with on an individual basis. Yes, I think I'll use it on future projects because it adds flexibility to what I can do to an image and its various assets, without messing up the rest of the image.

3. What was your experience using the pen tool to create selections? Were you able to
modify your selection with the path adjustment tools?
It's something that I have to get used to, especially using the "stretch" part of it, where you can curve the line to various degrees and in different directions. That definitely seems like something that will take a lot of practice to really be able to use effectively.
I was able to modify my selection, though I only had to change 1 small bit of it in order to get what I wanted selected.

4. What challenges did you experience using the shape tools? Did you create a custom
shape? What was it?
The biggest thing was trying to figure out a shape that made sense, or didn't seem too far out of place. Even the cat tracks are a bit of a stretch, and I suppose you'd have to know that my composite was based on Actual Events™ where I was playing with a cat (acting like a shark) and utterly scared him; he ended up making a beeline for his "safe spot".

5. How will you use Smart Objects in future projects?
I actually don't see myself using Smart Objects all that often, because they seem like something for a very specific task; perhaps a site logo or something? But even then, I cannot think of a good reason to just have one portion of an image "editable".
6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
I've found myself using Ctrl+J more regularly.
7. Add link of your completed web page to your blog
Here is a link to my project page.

Don Howard: Project 6

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool?
The adjustments and tools were readily available. Some new features have been added.

2. What advantages or disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background?
It is a non-destructive way to work.

3. Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges?
It is an incredible tool! However, it is not the answer to everything. I'm very happy it is available.

4. What were your challenges?
Complicated backgrounds, shadows over complicated backgrounds, combining images from different lighting and perspectives in a convincing way and the Puppet Warp for small things. And the number one challenge: Time, time, and time...

5. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects?
My intended use was to satisfy the requirements of the class. I think it is an amazing tool and definitely will be using it in the future. There are times that it could make an OK image into an amazing image.

6. When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette?
For simple masking jobs.

7. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit?
No, the channels section was fine. I would use it for fine tuning on any job that warranted it. Extra credit did not get done, there is no way that time was available.

8. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
There are about a dozen of them...


My Project 6

Karlyn Gibson- Project 5

1. Camera Raw made adjusting images easy.  I found I used the Sharpening and Brightness/Contrast sliders the most.  Both of these options ensure proper exposure and sharp detail in the images I corrected.  The vignette feature just made my images look more polished and helped to place the viewers' focus on the center of the image.
2.  The preset feature is going to be great for instances where a lot of photos were taken in one place/day, and mass adjustments can be made.
3.  I tried to use the sponge tool to make the backgrounds smoother.
4.  I mostly used the spot healing tool because the fixes I needed to make were small spots on the faces of subjects.
5.  The main challenge was the lens flare that occurred in one of the images.  I couldn't get rid of it completely, but tried to tone it down by adjusting highlights.
6.  I now use the shortcuts for copy, paste, duplicate, zoom in, zoom out regularly.
7.  http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/karlyngibson80/Filemanagement/Project5/website/

Project 7 - Jessica Tenenbaum

1.I really think the drop shadow gives the best effect in most cases, but it is fun to play with embossing and glows in more surreal applications. I am still figuring out what a lot of the blend modes do to different effects.

2. Yes, clipping masks were an easy way to create awesome cut out effects. Will definitely use them going forward.

3. The pen tool is remarkably flexible in creating shapes. It was easier to use than I thought it would be. I did use a path adjustment tool to move one selection point in and it worked well.

4. I used a custom shape that was already in the drop down menu. It was sort of a rounded star. I used the polygon tool to create starry snowflakes. I still need to experiment more with the other shape tools.

5. I will use smart objects when I want to add effects to vector items or when I want to do non destructive editing on an object.

6.I am using command z to backtrack a lot. And using the command button to move items when I'm using other tools.

You can view my project 7 website here.

Project 6 - Ann Nickerson

I'm glad to learn the mask. It simplified the process.

1.How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool?
Masking was easer. I’m still not sure how to use refine edge tool. I think I understand how it works, but it doesn’t act the way I think it should when I’m using it.


2. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background?
I think the process was much easier with masking.

3. Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges?
I kept trying to get rid of one are by raggedyann’s neck. I couldn’t figure how to do it using the redefine edge tool.

4. What were your challenges?
Using the redefine edge tool and the puppet warp tool.

5.What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects?
I already had nice photos so I had a hard time trying to decide what to do with the puppet warp tool. I had fun with the clown’s faces and hats. I think the puppet warp tool will be helpful in adjusting faces.

6.When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette?
I found the quick mask tool harder to use. I know it’s best when I only need it temporarly.

7.Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit?
None of my pictures would work to use the channels section. I didn’t have the energy to do the extra credit, but I did go back and ad a picture with a shadow as I think that was required as well.

8.What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
I’m still just using select and deselect and save. I’m still consentrating on learning the other tools.

link to web: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/annnickerson75/Project6/index.html

Project 6- Maren McGuire

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using edge tool? I like it so much more. I can get the exact edge I want. All the little details. Really cool.

2. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background. Usually helped in discerning a cleaner edge. However, I found myself going back and forth sometimes- some of the backgrounds I used really helped see the edges (like red on green)- that was easier on my eyes.

3. Describe your experience using refine edge tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges? Yes and no. It didn't quite do what I thought it did. I think I'll have to look more closely and spend a little more time practicing.

4.What were your challenges? It's one thing to plug in the values from the book, but quite another just playing. I found there were lots of options, but I'm not versed enough to perfect. Again, more practice will help.

5. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects? I had a hard time with this tool. It didn't always do what I thought it would. In the future, I can see using it for model poses that aren't quite right, but the face is perfect.

6. When would you use the quick mask tool instead of the mask palette? I think when you need to replace a color really quickly. Quick mask tool is really fun!

7. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit? Not really. No extra credit, I didn't know there was mention of extra credit.

8. Key board shortcuts. I liked using the [ and ] key to make the refine edge brush bigger and smaller. Simple buttons like that rock.

Project 6 website

Project - 6 Brennan Conroy

1. Masking is a bit easier and less time consuming, while the refine edge tool allows for more perfection. But, if the background is similar to your image it's almost impossible to get a perfect cutout.
The refine edge tool is awesome, works great. Didn't have much trouble with this one. Although, I didn't really create anything that great...
2. My images weren't really ideal for the puppet warp, like the one in the book. I just used the tool for the requirement. But, I can see how you can get really creative with it, and it's fun.
3. The quick mask works best with simple, small items of interest.

4. The channel selection did seem a bit confusing. I completed the extra credit, but wasn't a hundred percent sure what I was doing the whole time. This kind of thing would be nice to practice in a classroom.
5. Still using the same keyboard shortcuts.
Link to site

Project 6 - Megan Stanley

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool?
I thought it was a lot easier because I didn't have to be quite as precise, because I would be going back to refine my selections later.
1. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and
removing your background?
A lot of times once the background was gone I realize my mask was nowhere near as good as I thought it was...
2. Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to
more closely define your edges?
It was really useful for hair and I imagine it would be really useful for other finely detailed images, such as leaves or wispy clouds or anything like that.  I thought it was very helpful to define the edges that I had left off in my initial selection.
3. What were your challenges?
Correcting my selections without adding back in too much of the background--finding the balance in those adjustments.
2. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool?
What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects?
When I used it I wanted to adjust the tilt of a statue's head.  I think it would be very helpful for adjusting facial expressions, such as in the video.
3. When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette?
For simply-shaped selections--it was tough for me because I use a trackpad (no mouse) so the control is difficult!
4. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging?  How do you think you
might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit?
I don't know that I completely understand the uses of channels, but I'm confident that I'll find them as I continue working with them.  I didn't complete the extra credit, because I was running short on time!
5. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
I started using the [ and ] keys to adjust the size of my brush... very helpful!
6. Project Page Link: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/meganstanley05/Project6/project6.html

Race Jones - Project 06

01) Masking is definitely a lot easier to get close to the edges of the image you are trying to select.

a) The most difficult part was selecting the image that was a similar color to the background.

b) My biggest challenge was getting in the habit of masking and remembering the steps.

02) My intention was to make the image as warped as possible but it didn't work out to well because the picture I selected was really boxy in shape.

03) I would use the quick mask tool when the selection I want has a distinct color from the background.

04) Following the book was not difficult at all. I did not do the extra credit.

05) command + s, command + z, command + d, command + option + i

06) Link

Project 6 - Virgil Anderson

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool? It seems as though you have more control over the edge with the masking tool. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background? When the colors are similar in the background to the object that you are trying to remove, you have more control to change the edge.  b. Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges?It does give you much more control.
c. What were your challenges? Following all the steps.

2. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects? I wanted to make it so that the the head would change angles..

3. When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette? When I wanted to change a single part of the image.

4. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit? I found it challenging and I did not do the extra credit.

5. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now? ctrl+spacebar

6. Link: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/virgilanderson12/Project6/project6.html

Amanda S Project 6

I didn't read the directions very well before starting, so I'm sure I'm missing some things in my project images. Oh, well... at least I had fun :)

My friends took me to Astoria for my birthday and we (stupidly) decided to go find the shipwreck across the bridge in a rainstorm. It gave me the idea for the ghost ship image I did and this lesson worked out perfectly for what I wanted to do. I would like to know how to fade the far edge of the ship so that it doesn't end quite so abruptly, though.

I loved being able to use the black background to edit. It made it SO much easier. The downside was that the selecting wasn't very precise. I did have troubles with a couple of things I was trying to select (beaks on the penguins for example) and the refine edges showed through when I put my penguins on the red curtain background. It came in handy when I needed a certain look for my ship :)

The puppet warp tool was fun when I was trying to get a mars-like feel for my alien image. It took a few tries to figure out how to move it in just the right way, but it came out pretty cool for such a simple image.

Quick mask worked really well trying to get all of the cracks in the ship versus palette, but it wouldn't work the same if I had wanted the solid image.

I used alpha channel to darken the coats of the penguins.

MY PAGE

Project 6 Cassiopeia Anderson

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using the Refine Edge Tool? Masking lets you make a general selection that sometimes works well but is not always perfect while the refine edge tool lets you further enhance that selection by adjusting the feather, contract, smooth, and edge of the selection.
a. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background? If the background is similar to the object being selected, it makes it difficult to get it perfect.
b. Describe your experience using the Refine Edge Tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges? The refine edge tool is great, because it lets you fix the little difficult imperfections from masking.
c. What were your challenges? The marching ants on the masking makes me dizzy.

2. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet warp tool might offer you in future projects? My intended goal was to move the head of the seagull and the parrot. I think the puppet warp tool will be useful in correcting pose issues.

3. When would you use quick mask tool instead of the mask palette? The quick mask tool is good for changing small areas.

4. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit? It was easy to follow the steps in the book, and I think I understand what it's doing for the most part. It's a difficult concept overall though. I completed the extra credit.

5. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now? alt+spacebar, ctrl+s, ctrl+spacebar

6. Link: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/cassiopeiaanderson13/project6/website_project6.html

Project-6 Deja Sparks

1.) Depending on the image and how smooth the edges, the Masking Tool was really easy and pretty awesome on it's own. With this image the hair was my biggest challenge and the Refine Edge Tools REALLY helped. The result looks pretty natural and without the help of the Smart Edge Detection, this would be really difficult to mask so effectively.
2.)The Puppet Warp Tool allowed me to increase the volume of things and of course, move the masked image in all sorts of directions. I used it to increase my smile a bit on this image. I will definitely use it in future projects.
3.)I would use the Quick Mask Tool when I just want to add or change color in a small spot of an image.
4.)I thought the Alpha Channels for Shadows were pretty easy to create and use. I did not do the extra credit, however...I will use the Alpha Channel to create and transform shadows for a more natural effect in my future projects.
5.)I am using the same keyboard shortcuts as last week.
http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/dejasparks22/Project6/Project_6.html

Tresa Cavanaugh Project 6

Blog Questions and Answers:

1. How did you find masking different from selecting using edge tool? Refine edge lets you improve edges you've selected by feathering, softening or some contrasting options. Masking gives you a chance to make major changes inside masked areas or outside masked areas such as color, background, shodow and highlighting.
2. What advantages/disadvantages did you discover between masking and removing your background. Don't understand the question. They are two different things to me, ned to look into this more.
3. Describe your experience using refine edge tool. Did it allow you to more closely define your edges? Yes, although these changes using this tool are sometimes hard to notice after expanding back to normal size.
4.What were your challenges? Time constraints mostly. Also some functions didn't work as planned until second or third try, shadowing for instance and it still didn't come out quite right.
5. What was your intended result you hoped to create with the puppet warp tool? What options do you see the puppet wartp tool might offer you in future projects? This tool I like and used in each photo (though that may not have been in your instructions). It is fun to use and can brighten smiles, eyes and change angles of things to produce a desired effect.
6. When would you use the quick mask tool instead of the mask palette? I'm sorry but I don't remember using a mask "palette". I need to study masks and all their variables more as that term escapes me.
7. Did you find the channels section of the book challenging? How do you think you might use it in future projects? Did you complete the extra credit? Challenging, yes but was able to follow the instructions in lesson 6 OK. Not sure of any future use. No extra credit at this time.
8. Key board shortcuts. The notations in the tools panel showing shorcuts has helped a lot, some like Z for zoom, V for move, C for crop and T for type I've started using more. This is a work in progress.








Link to Project 6: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/tresacavanaugh21/Filemanagement/Project6/photoshopwebsite6.htm

Jessica Tenenbaum Project 6

1.Masking and using Refine edge allows you to bring back in more of the fine details that you can't get with just the selection tools. Masking also allows you to go back and change your selection because you are just covering it up and not removing it entirely.

2.Yes, but I didn't chose photos with the best contrast along the selection lines so it wasn't perfect. I definitely still had to go back in and touch up manually.

3. What were your challenges? The most challenging things for me were selecting the blond and grey hairs from their fairly neutral backgrounds. Also, I really had to play around with puppet warp to figure out what it did and didn't do.

4. I used the puppet warp tool to change small facial features as demonstrated in one of the videos for this week. There were a couple of larger moves that I tried with it, but that really didn't work for me. I will have to work on this tool more. I don't think I would use this tool too much in general.

5.I would use the quick mask tool if I was just changing a small contiguous little area.

6.Yes, channels were a little confusing. I'm not sure that I understand all the ways they can be used. I do see it as a useful way to apply a selection to multiple layers that have different effects.
No, I didn't do the extra credit. I didn't notice that there was one.

7. I haven't really added any regular keyboard shortcuts this week.

You can view my week 6 website here.

Brennan Conroy - Project 5

1. Camera raw is amazing. You can fix almost anything with it. The white balance tool alone makes a huge difference.
2. The preset function is a huge time saver, if you shoot a bunch of photos on a cloudy day, no need to worry.
3. I tried, unsuccessfully to remove some unwanted acne with the dodge, burn and sponge tools. Pretty sure I could have accomplished the job with a bit more time though, maybe next time.
4. Anything small, like a blemish or zit is easy to fix with the spot healer, if its a bigger job though, the other tools are what you need to use.
5. I had a problem trying to keep the changes mellow. Its easy to get carried away and make the images look fake.
6. I'm using the command Z, Command +, Command - shortcuts.

Link to webpost

Nolan Shearer - Project 5

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening

and vignetting features to improved your images.

I love the synchronize option! It saves so much time and it works perfectly.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.

I like to match the temperature of the picture. I think that gives the picture something you can feel.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge

features?

I found out that the dodge tool really helps if you want to make certain colors more vibrant. Its great on lips and eyes and not just for reducing shadows.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of

images.

If there was a small imperfection on the subject I would go straight for the spot healing tool. If the area was bigger and something not so obvious I would go for the dodge or sponge tool.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?

I noticed that the spot healing tool is very touchy. If you get too close to anything it will attempt to bring it into the spot you are trying to heal.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?

J (Spot Healing), S (Clone Stamp), M (Marquee tool)

Project 5

Don Howard - Project 5

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening and vignetting features to improved your images.
It's an excellent way to work! One of the best reasons is because it doesn't change the original image. It also works beautifully and without loss of image quality.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
The Preset feature would be an incredible way to batch process a large number of photos taken at the same time and in the same lighting conditions. It would save you a bunch of work and keep the photos all relatively the same. Then you could go back and make minor adjustments to individual photos that may need it.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge features?
The intent was to blend areas, or lighten harsh lines. The results were good.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of images.
Trial and error. There are many choices and I enjoyed exploring them. The tools that didn't leave evidence that they had been used are preferred most of the time. Sometimes it's fun to intentionally create a "look" with the tools...

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Doing the work in a way that wasn't obvious it had been done. Plus I had chosen photos that were challenging. But that is how I'm learning to use PhotoShop, and learn it as well as I am able.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
As many as I can put together, they are great. Of course I have been using Command Z quite a bit! P, C, Command W... I use a dozen or so. Mouse shortcuts are also helpful...

[A Link to Project 5]

Project 5 -- Emily Keene

:: GALLERY ::

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening
and vignetting features to improved your images.
I really like Camera Raw! I mean, a lot of its features are almost identical to tools within Photoshop itself, and the results you can achieve using Camera Raw instead are more or less the same as well... but it's so much faster and more efficient for images simply need a little sharpening/color correction/etc. I wasn't very happy with the vignette settings I came up with, but I expect that will become less frustrating the more I practice :)

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
I guess that depends on how often I end up using Camera Raw for projects outside of class as well as for our assignments, and on how regularly the images I edit appear to benefit from the same adjustments. So basically I guess I don't really know just yet, but will probably be able to come up with a better answer before long.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge
features?
My only goal was simply to make the pictures look better, so I kinda just played around with the tools by trial and error until each image seemed to be about as visually pleasing as my limited skills could make it... I feel about 50/50 about my end results for this project.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of
images.
Again, mostly by trial and error, although after awhile I developed a vague sort of system. Honestly for stuff like this I really just go with my gut– whether that's because I trust my instincts or because I don't *actually* know what I'm doing is basically anyone's guess, haha.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Just some mild frustration that cropped up in the process of trying to familiarize myself with new tools... you know...

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
Pretty much the same as last week.

Project 5 -- Megan Stanley

1.  Using Camera Raw to adjust color settings was very helpful -- I think it's easier than using the settings available in Photoshop itself, especially the white balance tool.  I like that it updates the image with each change you make so you can immediately see the results.

2.  I'll use the Preset Feature to adjust colors in a series of pictures from a particular event or trip, so that I can easily apply those settings to all of the pictures with similar lighting.  It saves a lot of time compared to having to try to get it right each time separately.

3.  My intent for results with the dodge, burn and sponge features was usually for brightening the images, especially around the eyes.

4.  I decided which healing tools to use mostly by trial and error -- if one didn't really work well I tried the other.  But I noticed that the Spot Healing brush worked for most of them.

5.  One challenge I experienced with the Spot Healing brush was that I couldn't use a "brushstroke" especially under the eyes; I had to dot the brush as if it were makeup.  If I tried to use a brushstroke, it replaced the entire area with the contents of the similar size area near the clone source point.  

6.  I'm using Command + and Command -.

7.  my SWS page

Project 5- Maren McGuire

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening and vignetting features to improved your images.
Camera Raw helped to make the images look more balance. If I needed more color, I could add saturation. If I need less, I could turn it down. I will definitely be playing with this feature more.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
I can use the Preset feature to balance a group of photos- it is much faster than doing one at a time.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge features?
To help make skin tones even. To remove some facial lines.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of images.
I generally used most of them. The clone tool turned out to be really helpful too. I had never used spot healing brush before- that is a really great tool.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Sometimes the clone tool wouldn't work. I'd have to close out and start over.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
Command Z, Command +, Command -

7. Project 5

Rebecca Price - Project 5

Camera raw seems to do a good job at getting the white balance adjusted to the right thing. I find using the temperature setting quickly fixes my exposure(white balance) mistakes. The sharpening and vignetting really can make an image pop (feels like cheating)

The preset is good for when I do a photo shoot and if all the pictures are all a little off I can use the preset to quickly fix them all.

I fell like the dodge burn and sponge tool are still a little hazy for me, mostly they can lighten or darken an area depending on what you have selected in the options bar.

I basically am still experimenting with the healing tools. The healing spot tool seems to work the best most of the time. Some times the brush works better. I am still figuring out what does what here.

Sometimes I couldn't see the changes taking place with the surface blur, it seemed so subtle. The most time consuming and challenging part continues to be making the web page with all the images coming up correctly as well as the links. I also have so many image files per project folder that I get lost between all the original and finals in 2 sizes an then psd's files as well. I need to work on my organization within the folders.

Keyboard shortcuts are control+ z, v, x, c, +, -, s, f5 for refresh f12 to view my page in a browser and alt+tab to switch between windows.

Here is a link to my webpage

Project 5 - Virgil Anderson

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening and vignetting features to improved your images.
I LOVE camera raw now.  It is so easy to modify an image and make it look 100% better.  You simply go through each of the adjustments and make the changes accordingly.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
I like that you can preset the raw to do what you want.  On the other hand, I think you'd have to be really familiar with photoshop to use it effectively.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge
features?
My main intention was to reduce wrinkles and help each person look younger.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of
images.
Frankly, after reading the book I simply experimented with each of the tools until I got the images to look how I wanted.  When I made a mistake I just used control z.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
The biggies issue was making mistakes, but that was easily rectified by going back and making corrections.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
C for Crop

Project 5

Project 5 Cassiopeia Anderson

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening, and vignetting features improved your images.
By adjusting the white balance, exposure, fill light, vibrance, and saturation, it makes corrections to my photos making them look a lot better. I didn't like the vignetting as much for the photos I chose, but I can see where it could be useful in some projects in the future.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future. When you get a desired effect using vignetting, it will be nice to have that saved in the preset feature so that it can be quickly and easily applied to other photos in the future.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn, and sponge features? I used these features mainly when I was dealing with eyes in the human face photos. I used the sponge tool to enhance the color of the eyes and the dodge tool to reduce the shadows above and below the eyes.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of images. The content aware spot healing brush is my absolute favorite so I used that more frequently. When that wasn't working very well for me, I used the healing brush by Alt selecting an area. I didn't have any photos with red eye to use the red eye tool.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process? When I was editing the face photos, I kept forgetting to do the corrections on a new layer so I ended up starting over a few times. I was doing the corrections on the background layer.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now? Ctrl+D (deselect), Alt+Move, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+(zoom in), Ctrl-(zoom out), Ctrl+S (Save)

7. Link to Project 5 Website http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/cassiopeiaanderson13/project5/website_project5.html

Amanda S Project 5

I used Camera Raw to get rid of a greyish tone to the picture. I created layers for blend and adjustments. I cropped the image, corrected her blemishes, used the sharpen tool for her eyes, mouth, around the nose and ear. I added the blend layer to even out her skintone and used the eraser to erase around the areas I had sharpened.

I've gotten frustrated by good pictures comming out worse than I wanted-- I like that a lot of what we're learning can help me fix the pictures I have :)

Race Jones - Project 05

01) Using camera raw is great for editing multiple photos that were taken with about the same lighting. I found it awesome to be able to adjust the balance for one photo and just set it to do the same for the others.

02) The preset feature will come in handy once I know how each of them adjust to different lighting situations.

03) My intent was to lighten and darken certain sections. It was kind of hard to get it the way that I wanted and often found it drastically changing my image until I adjusted some settings.

04) I used the spot healing brush for fine editing. I found it to be the easier of the tools once I zoomed in super close.

05) Biggest challenge so far was getting the white balance in camera raw to my liking. There are so many options and it is going to take some playing with to understand what and how each individual adjustment works.

06) Command + R (to open in camera raw), command + option + shift + s (love this for saving for web and devices), random letter commands also come in handy for selecting tools; v, m, cmd + t, w.

07) Project 05

Hannah Price- Project 5

This is my favorite image from this project. This is a kitchen that I worked on a couple of years ago and I think the vignette really helps makes the picture dramatic and draw the eye to the center of the image.

- The camera raw settings seem like they will take a lot of practice to get the hang of. I will definitely have to work on some other images to really start understanding it.

- The preset for the vignettes will definitely come in handy since a lot of my pictures are of rooms like the one above.

- I had a hard time keeping the dogde and burn tool changed subtle enough, think I need some more practice with those too.

Here's a link to all my images Gallery

Project-5 Deja Sparks

1.) Camera Raw allowed me to adjust the saturation and overall "feel" of some of my photos. I used the Vibrance and Clarity options the most. The Vignetting was also really nice, I thought it added a much needed frame and focus to some of my images.
2.)For this photo I created a Preset because I liked the postcard look of it. I will use this Preset for other images I want to look similar.
3.)My intent in using the spot heal and healing brush was to eliminate blemishes or strange shadows on the face. I thought it really helped for dark circles under the eyes, as well.
4.)I played around with the dodge, spot and sponge tool a lot. There are similar effects, though I tried to find the most effective for the look I was trying to achieve.
5.)The most challenging was getting the healing brush fill with content aware properly. I found it would pick up things outside of the face and replicate it.
6.)CTRL+Z, CRTL+D AND -,+ FOR ZOOM.
link: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/dejasparks22/Project5/Project_5.html

Project 5 - Ann Nickerson

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening
and vignetting features to improved your images.
Most of the images had a blue cast. Sometimes the white Balance tool pushed it too far to the warm side. Thus I used custom settings more than the auto settings. I’m learning to train my eye for what is pleasing and figuring what steps to take to get there.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
The preset will come in handy when I edit sunny seacoast scenes. It’s nice to work through the process once and apply it over and over again.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge
features?
I used the dodge tool to lighten shadows on the boys face. I used sponge to highlight eyes. I didn’t use the burn tool to darken any area.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of
images.
I started with the finer healing tools and then worked out to the one that is more overall. (I followed the books lead.)

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Trying to decide how to enhance the photos in camera raw was my biggest challenge. It takes time to train the eye.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
I’m a little slow in learning my shortcuts. I’m using save, select & deselect. I use buttons for most else.
http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/annnickerson75/Project5/index.html

Project - 4 Deja Sparks

1.) I used Multiply, Normal and Diffuse Blend Modes.
2.) I started with a basic background and then added images, then style and last text with styles, to make it really stand out.
3.)I used Drop Shadow, Inner Glow, Outer Glow and Bevel.
4.)I will use the stacking order, layer styles and text in the future. I enjoy the idea of "collage" type images.
5.)My biggest challenge was trying to really understand ALL the Blending Modes and what they do and what works best with each image.
6.)CTRL+D, ALT+SHIFT, SELECT LAYER+ALT AND CTRL+Z.
http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/dejasparks22/Project4/PROJECT_4.html

Jessica Tenenbaum Project 5

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening and vignetting features to improved your images.
Camera raw makes it very easy to adjust color. The sharpening features seemed a bit more subtle and in the smaller images, it is hard to see the effects. But I'm sure it has a much bigger effect on a large, high res, print. Vignetting was a fun way to frame a photo with light or shade.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
I think that preset will be very useful to automatically recreate a set of camera raw changes that you like.

3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge
features?
The dodge tool was good at lightening up shady areas. The burn tool did the opposite and added darkness to areas. And the sponge tool could be used to either saturate or desaturate the colors. I was a little confused about when to use the midtones or shadows settings.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of
images.
The spot healing tool was best for small blemishes or hairs where it was easy for photoshop to use content aware to fill the area. The regular healing tool worked better if you needed to pull that content from a specific area or a little farther away. The patch tool seemed to work like a lasso, maybe I wasn't totally understanding its best use? The red eye tool worked great in the book example.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
When I went back to save for the web, I had issues because I couldn't figure out how to get the originals to open in photoshop without all the camera raw changes applied. I had to rename the files to disassociate them with their xmp files. And with the jpegs, I couldn't do that and had to go back and recopy the photos from their original locations to show pre camera raw colors.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
C for Crop

7. My project 5 website can be viewed by clicking here.

Tresa Cavanaugh Project 5

Response to questions for blog:


1. Using Camera Raw is cool because it preserves the original image for future use. Also, any pro photographer would be grateful for a program that shows exactly what he was trying to capture. Adjusting settings is also very easy in Camera Raw though I need much more practice to get everything to work.
2. You ask how I will use preset in the future... was having trouble with this function but it would speed things up if you had presets. Again, more work on this.
3. Dodge, burn and sponge lighten areas and smooth textures but I didn't notice much difference in final projects unless magnifying.
4. I like the spot healing brush tool best for removing blemishes and unwanted marks.
5. Many challenges. Some things are getting easier by repetition but my lack of time to work on these projects hinders me. Sometimes the instructions don't make sense and there are occasional typos and grammar that confuses me. In some videos, the guy talks and moves too quickly to have the info sink in.
6. I use the alt key for demagnifying mostly. Shift select for multiple images also, or ctrl click to select images one at a time. Otherwise I use the mouse on the program.


Link to Project 5: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/tresacavanaugh21/Filemanagement/Project5

Amanda S Project 3

I like the ctl + X shortcut. The transparent background makes it easier to play with an image. Being able to drag an image from one open image to another is very cool. I liked the flexibility with being able to place the image wherever you want and resizing it to add dimension. I couldn't figure out how to unlock the Buddah initially. It took a few tries, but the upside was transferring the orchids to the image- they took on the color tones of the statue- making it easier to distinguish the heart.

MY PAGE

Project 4 by Don Howard

1. Which blend modes did you experiment with and then use in your project?
Let's see, Normal, Lighten, Darken and Overlay.

2. How did you use the stacking order to produce your final results in your most complex composite?
To create depth. Each layer that receded to the background was given increasingly more Lens Blur and less Exposure.

3. What layer effects did you use? Which layer styles did you apply to another layer?
I used Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow.

4. What key elements of layer managements in this module that you plan to use in future projects?
All of them... : )

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Finding ways to fulfill all of the requirements without creating a mess of the project. On the Pizza composite it was challenging to bring all of those photos from different lighting and perspectives together.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
Command J, Command S, Command C, Command V...

A Link to My Project 4

Project 5 - Adam Staiger

1. Describe how using Camera Raw to adjust your color settings, sharpening
and vignetting features to improved your images.
I found that Camera Raw is a lot easier and faster for changing my image color settings. The ability to not only preview and apply changes to a single image, but also to apply those changes to multiple images. The settings are a lot easier to work with in Camera Raw as well, I found. Less hunting through settings and menus.

2. Describe how you will use the Preset feature in the future.
Definitely to save time on projects; especially if I like a particular look that the settings convey; it also enables me to quickly and easily get the settings exactly the way the were.


3. What was your intent for results by using the dodge, burn and sponge
features?
In almost all instances, my intent was to remove 'blemishes' from the subject, or to enhance coloring; i.e. removing dark circles from under eyes or lightening a black and white photograph to (hopefully) be able to make the image clearer.

4. Explain how you decided which healing tools to remove imperfections of
images.
The tools I selected just seemed like a good fit for what I wanted to do; I found that the individual settings of the tools were a bigger challenge to choose from and get "right" for the effect that I wanted for the image. This is especially true of the black and white photo picture in this blog posting, as it was definitely a bit more tricky to get the settings (and sizes) correct for the tools.
I will say that there was a bit of trial and error though, between a couple of the healing tools (spot healing vs healing brush) because of how they perform essentially the same function.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Finding some of the layer and filter settings required a fair bit of trial and error, and getting my mouse movements as precise as I wanted them, YET AGAIN, proved to be a pain in the neck. As a result, I had to spent a fair bit of additional time adjusting my zoom level, tool/brush size, and re-doing fixes until they looked at least passable.

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
Alt+mouse wheel, Alt+Ctrl+O, and Ctrl+J.
7. Add link of your completed web page to your blog
My web page for this project.

a. Use the Link Icon in the blog posting dialog box to create the link

Jessica Tenenbaum - Project 4

1. Which blend modes did you experiment with and then use in your project?

I used some of the different burns on strokes. I liked the effects although I can't say I've figured them all out yet.

2. How did you use the stacking order to produce your final results in your most
complex composite?

Having the correct stacking order really changes the look of an image. It allows to neatly tuck things that you don't want to see either behind another item, or off the edge of the canvas. I love playing with opacity and having layers show through the layers above them in order.

3. What layer effects did you use? Which layer styles did you apply to another
layer?

I used a lot of drop shadows and strokes. I copied some of the text affects to other text layers.

4. What key elements of layer managements in this module that you plan to
use in future projects?

I will definitely combine images that were originally separate photos to make new better and combined works of art. I will also use stacking order, opacity, and text layers.

5. What challenges did you experience in the process? 6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?

The most challenging part was trying to find the right blend mode for each layer effect. I am using the ctrl D to deselect things all the time.

View my project 4 website here.

Rebecca Price - Project 4

1. blending modes : there is some functionality I am missing here some modes work most of the time and lots of the time I see no visible difference. mostly I probably wouldn't have used them if it weren't a requirement.
2. the stacking order was helpful in the text of my final image to have some layers of text behind the others, also desired layering of the swimmers (see link)
3. The slug and girl have a drop shadow and inner shadow layer effect to make a style used on both layers to make them stand out.
4. I will probably mostly use the rearrange and merging layers in the future. I think the effects look kind of cheesy.
5. I had a little problem keeping the text from digitizing... perhaps I made a mistake, I do know it is better to make a png in photoshop of your text for a smoother look. Maybe there is another way.
6. Control Z n X are the best as well as control + and - to zoom in and out.

link to my WEB PAGE

Hannah Price- Project 4

- A lot of the blend modes didn't seem to make much of a visual difference to me, maybe I'm not understanding all the adjustments yet. The ones I did use a couple times with luck was the satin blending mode.
- This image didn't use a lot of the stacking order but I did one collage that had a bunch of overlapping flowers, dragging layers in the sacking order was very helpful on that one. On this image I do like that the image of the people is over the background image so the border doesn't go over the people.
- I like the drop shadow layer effect, I added that to one of the flags and then dragged the same effect to the other flags.
- I can definitely see that layer management will be very helpful on future project. I find it very convenient that you can add styles to one layer and them copy them to another layer. I will definietly use that in the future.
- My main challenge on this project was remembering that a layer had to be selected in the layers panel in order to edit it. I am used to working in AutoCAD where layer management is very important but clicking on an image activates that element without going to the layer management panel.
- Still not catching on to the keyboard shortcuts. I'm sure once I remember all the names of the tools and don't need the visual clues I will start using the keyboard shortcuts more.
Here is the link to all of my images from this project. Gallery

Hahaha -- Gettin' Weird with Project 4

:: View Gallery ::
(the other two composite images are just as ridiculous, and feature Arnold Schwarzenegger chilling in space, in case that's the sort of thing you're into...)

1. Which blend modes did you experiment with and then use in your project?
"Overlay" and "Lighten", for the most part. Love messin' with that opacity, too, of course.

2. How did you use the stacking order to produce your final results in your most complex composite?
I copied small areas of the background and stacked them with lowered opacity on top of parts of other layers they would overlap if the picture had been taken naturally, such as the smoke billowing out from under the mushroom cloud and the wave that laps up against that box of girls (haha) & over the contortionist's feet. The result is simply that the pasted elements seem a bit more a part of the image, rather than just dropped in at random. Also I never thought I would use the phrase "box of girls" in a school assignment... or probably ever. Ha!

3. What layer effects did you use? Which layer styles did you apply to another layer?
Almost every layer in all three of my images for this project used 2 or more layer styles/fx (what's the difference, by the way?) mostly just because I thought it was part of the requirements... My favorites are outer glow, bevel/emboss, color overlay, stroke, and drop shadow.

4. What key elements of layer managements in this module that you plan to use in future projects?
All of them, I guess? Ha, I'm sort of OCD about layer structure as it is...

5. What challenges did you experience in the process?
Oh, I just always drive myself crazy obsessing over stupid tiny details that no one would ever notice anyway, and end up spending waaaay more time on homework than I meant to...

6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
Command +/- for zooming in and out, Command T for free transform, Command D for deselect and Command ^I for select-inverse. I think those are the only ones I use basically every time– I should make myself memorize more shortcuts, it just usually seems about as easy to just pick what I want from one of the menus.

Project 4 Cassiopeia Anderson

My favorite image this week was the more complex of the three, and I think that is probably the very reason I like that image more. There is more going on so it is more interesting.

Which blend modes did you experiment with and then use in your project? I experimented with all of the blend modes, but I ended up using the dissolve and color burn.

How did you use the stacking order to produce your final results in your most complex composite? The stacking order created a lot of dimension. The photo of the bridge in Portland was in the very back and the opacity was high. Then, each of the street performers were overlapping a little in different ways.

What layer effects did you use? Which layer styles did you apply to another layer? I used the inner glow, drop shadow, and satin layer effects.

What key elements of layer managements in this module that you plan to use in future projects? It's neat to know that each layer can be manipulated and edited in so many different ways and that they can overlap each other to create more dimension. This lesson taught me a lot about layers which I have always found incredibly confusing so I am glad that is all cleared up now.

What challenges did you experience in the process? The biggest challenge was digging through photos to decide which ones to use. Everything else I found enjoyable.

What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now? Ctrl+D (deselect), Alt+Move, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+(zoom in), Ctrl-(zoom out), Ctrl+S (Save)

Link to Project 4 website: http://sws.pcc.edu/student/CAS208_pdeangel_16723/cassiopeiaanderson13/project4/website_project4.html