April 15, 2002
Please feel free to invite some of your colleagues from your or another
city/county if you think it would benefit them to be part of our group!
Survey Results
Thank you to all that filled out the MAGWeb survey. Results showed that this group and the listserv are of value
to many of us.
One change to come about due to this survey -- we will be trying a new meeting time. We will now meet on the third
Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. (still at MARC). Next meeting: May 16, 10:30 a.m. in the Riverview room at
MARC.
Photoshop Tips and Tricks
Removing red-eye from photos:
- Select the red portion of the eye with the circular selection tool.
- Go to Image > Adjust > Channel Mixer > move the Red bar to zero, move the Green and Blue to 50% each (or so that they total 100%).
Make a copy:
It's a good idea to make a duplicate of your original image so
you can compare your changes.
Image > Duplicate > Okay
Black and White Photos:
For good quality black and white photos created from color, don't
just grayscale them! Go to Image > Mode > Lab Color, go to your channels and select Lightness, then go to
Image > Mode > Grayscale. Your photo will have more contrast and not look so dull. It was suggested that
you record this into an action to speed things up.
Getting good photo color:
The Variations option is great for balancing color in photos
that are too dark, yellow, etc.
Image > Adjust > Variations, you will be able to see variations (duh) of your photo compared to the original.
Another way to do this is with Image > Adjust > Color Balance, tinker with the triangle markers until you
get the look you want.
Digital Camera Photos:
Some suggested that it may be easier to work up from a digital
photo that is darker than to try to correct one with too much flash or brightness. It is always a good idea when
shooting to take a photo with flash and one without. It was also suggested that when saving digital photos to
save them in their original format. And always save the originals without any modifications. Make a copy first.
Layers:
If you are creating graphics using many layers in PhotoShop,
always save the .psd file so you can make edits if necessary. Also, don't save the .psd image after it has been
flattened for the Web, or your will lose your layers.
You can change the transparency, drop shadow or style of a layer by double-clicking on the layer and using the
options.
Always make sure you are on the layer you want to modify. If you only have a background layer, make a duplicate
layer and work on it (you can hide or delete the background layer). Many options won't work on a background layer.
Save for Web:
One feature of PhotoShop 5.5 and 6.0 that justifies the price
of the software is the "Save for Web" option.Once you've created you photo/graphic, select File >
Save for Web. There will be four tabs at the top: Original, Optimized, 2-Up (can compare between original and your
optimized image and make changes to it with features at right), 4-Up (gives you 2 more options for comparison).
Books:
Barbara Hensley suggested the book "Look and Learn PhotoShop
6" by Deke McClelland (about $15, is on Amazon.com). It has step-by-step instructions on how to do common
tasks.
The Classroom in a Book series is also helpful and comes with a CD of hands-on instruction.
Next Meeting
DreamWeaver - Using layers, behaviors, assets and library items
Our next meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the MARC offices. We will go through various
features of DreamWeaver such as using layers, behaviors, assets and library items.
Also, we will have time at the end of the meeting to discuss what's on your mind or any issues you'd like to talk
about.
If you have any ideas for future topics or guest speakers, please share them with Rich Lovett, KCMO (rich_lovett@kcmo.org) or Susan Waters, Overland Park (sjwaters@opkansas.org).
SJW