All the Abilities of Photoshop: An In-Depth Analysis

Seeing that most of the population of tourists that choose to take a cruise to Alaska, this magazine will be based off that. In order to boost the tourism in Alaska, this photo shows a newlywed couple really enjoying themselves. Later in life they would love to see the beautiful scenery that Alaska has to offer. The scenery identified for this advertisement is from Kodiak overlooking the water and the distant mountains.

I used Adobe Bridge to select the images that were to be used. It was an efficient way to do it mainly because I had the images stored in different folders and Adobe Bridge made it easier to locate. Then I utilized the image size to resize the image from 4,096 pixels by 1,455 pixels to 15,132 pixels by 5,457 pixels. I made all the edits to the picture with this size. Afterwards I decided the image size should be reduced back down to 3,458 pixels by 1,247 pixels to make it more manageable to be put on a magazine cover. For the image of the couple, I simply created a duplicate layer so that I could make changes without damaging the original and so that I could also easily compare the before and after effects to check my progress. I did a similar method for the background. I also created a layer for the print on the top of the image.

Today, Photoshop and other editing programs by Adobe have transformed photo editing, video editing and graphic design, enabling users to combine their creative skills with technology to create unique pieces of what they envision. Adobe Photoshop has been developed over the years to support many different types of editing, which is why it has become so popular for professionals, students and amateurs. Artists alike are able to use this software to do many things such as change image file sizes, incorporate smart images, alter brightness, make images more sharp or colorful, work on image distortion and more. Although this program appears much more advanced than basic free editing programs that can be found online, a program that allows for this much flexibility is surely transformative for the industry and is limitless when developing photos and other creative projects. The following essay will outline the major features of Adobe Photoshop, how they have developed over time and how they may be used in the photo editing process. Then, this information can be used to help future Photoshop users with their ideas.

When first uploading images to any platform, it is often beneficial to consider the type of the file and the size. Common file types include JPG, TIF, PNG and RAW, the most common of which is the JPG. Cameras themselves have capabilities of creating photos of different types, depending on what the photographer and editor are looking for. These different file types are appropriate for different projects, depending on the ultimate goal and how it will be edited. For example, the RAW photos are often much larger because they are not compressed. Oftentimes, photographers will upload RAW and JPG versions of photos so that the larger and original file size can be accessed (RAW) if it needs to be expanded and, at the same time, the smaller file (JPG) won’t take up as much space and will be faster when uploading. JPG and PNG files are called Raster Image Files because they are comprised of a series of pixels that come together to create a comprehensive picture. If the pixel quality is poor, this could result in things such as blurriness and inability to zoom into the picture with upmost clarity. Finally, a vector image file relies on proportional formulas, which includes formats such as EPS, AI and PDF. These are less common for traditional images and are commonly found in documents. However, they are beneficial if an image editor is constantly looking to re-size images and to retain the original files simultaneously. Consequently, there are both benefits and downsides to each type of file.

During the editing process, it is also possible to use smart objects and layers. By using layers, an editor is able to retain the original image, but work on top of it in another “page” or “dimension”. Again, this is beneficial because the original slide of the image will not be lost and other things can be worked on simultaneously without altering that. If, at the end, the editor desires to combine all of the layers, the file can be compressed into a single download with all of the layers appearing on top of each other in the desired outlook. In other words, this type of editing can be considered “non-destructive” because if the editor decides to delete any one layer at a given time, it does not impact the other existing layers or destroy the original image.

There are several creative approaches to image editing which can affect how it appears to the viewer. For elements such as sharpness, color, contrast, hue, brightness and resolution, Photoshop provides spectrums so that the editors can see exactly how high or low they wish to go. Sharpness helps retain an image’s clarity and can impact the central focal point. Color and hue are related to the vibrance of a photo and how bright the colors will appear. For example, if the editor chooses to incorporate a lower hue, the photo will be more mellow. Contrast helps outline opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to image portrayal; for example, the difference between the dark colors and light colors can be accentuated by this feature. Finally, resolution outlines how many pixels there are in an image. By altering this, the editor can change how many pixels an image is by length and width.

When feathering an image in Photoshop, the editor has the ability to soften the edges. This means that outlines of certain features will be less harsh; they will appear blended. Sometimes, this can make an image appear more like a watercolor painting or a dream. Filters are pre-existing color schemes in editing programs that are specifically made to mirror certain types of images. For example, there might be a sepia filter which aims at mimicking how photos decades ago were produced before there were digital capabilities. This can help editors look at photos in the present with a more innovative approach, deciding what kind of context they wish their images to fit into. The burn tool in Photoshop can accentuate light or dark areas of a photo to more extremes. This is helpful when looking to have more of a contrast but only having it appear in certain areas.

Layer masks in Photoshop are built on the colors of white, black and grey. As stated above, an editor has the ability to create multiple layers that are non-destructive to the original image. In a more detailed sense, these layers can each be controlled using features such as transparency or taking elements from one layer and incorporating it into a certain area of the image. Channels can be used to store individual information of the layers. This helps the editor to keep track of everything that has been done and what distinguishes the different layers from one another. Refining an edge can help define an element of a photo that either appears too pixelated or too blended. Defringing is similar to this concept, except it aims at removing certain edges and making them blend in with the original photo. All of these features are there to make the photo look more natural; by using these elements, a photo can appear completely original and not like anything was copied and pasted from another source.