Adobe^® Photoshop^®:
Creating and Enhancing Images and Graphics

What is this course about?

In this course, you gain the skills to leverage Adobe Photoshop to create and manipulate graphic and photographic images. You will create original graphics like logos and Web banners as well as optimize, touch up and repair photographic images for print and Web use.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for anyone interested in creating visually impactful content, including:

• Web designers
• Graphic artists
• Photographers
• Anyone creating any multimedia content like newsletters, web pages, flyers, kiosk displays, or other media with visual content

What background do I need?

A basic understanding of images and previous use of a graphics editing program is helpful, but not necessary. A basic familiarity with Windows navigation is assumed.

Why should my organization use Photoshop?

It is said: "A picture is worth a thousand words." Creating visual content is essential for effective communication for every organization. Whether it is for marketing materials, newsletters, a department's intranet site, customer-facing Internet sites, or organizational brochures, Adobe Photoshop is the preferred professional tool for creating polished graphic and photographic image content to integrate into all of these types of media.

I am using a previous version of Adobe Photoshop. Will this course be valuable for me?

Yes. Photoshop CS5.5 is a significant improvement over previous versions of Photoshop. The vast majority of course information can be applied to any Photoshop CS version, as most of functionality and user interfaces are the same across all CS versions.

Will I learn how to integrate my Photoshop images into a brochure or a Web site?

No. Photoshop is a tool that creates and optimizes any kind of image. Putting that image into a brochure or on a Web site is done with a different program, like Adobe InDesign or Dreamweaver.

Will I learn how to enhance a photograph?

Yes. One of the most important features of Photoshop is its ability to optimize photographic images. You will learn how to transform a raw image into a work of art for outputting to print or the Web.

Will I be able to use Photoshop layers following this course?

Yes. Layers are one of the most powerful features of Photoshop. Layers allow you to do non-destructive image adjustments, create collages of images, blend image content, control transparancy of an image, and add effects like glows, drop shadows, and bevels. In this course you will learn to use all the key aspects of layers, layer masks, and layer effects.

Are histograms used in this course?

Yes. Histograms are essential in both photographic and graphic image work. However, many people find them difficult to read and understand. In this course you will learn how to read and analyze these mysterious graphs, and will use your analysis to adjust images to be their best.

Will I be working on a Mac or a PC?

Adobe Photoshop is virtually identical on the Mac and on the PC. Menus are the same, panels with tools and options are the same. Everything you will learn will apply to both operating system platforms. As most of the business world is operating on PCs, the Learning Tree classroom is provisioned with PCs using the latest Photoshop version.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is hands-on?

Approximately 60 percent of this course is spend in hands-on exercises which provide experience designing and optimizing images of all types. Exercises include:

• Designing a custom Photoshop workspace for quick navigation and optimal workflow
• Applying non-destructive adjustments with layers, adjustment panels and Smart Objects
• Turning an average photo into a professional portrait
• Masking multiple layers to compose a single photograph
• Creating Web banner ads for an e-commerce Web site
• Producing a glossy reflection logo from scratch
• Retouching a photo to improve composition and focus

How much of the course will be spent working on graphics versus photographs?

In a survey of our customers we found that most look to use Photoshop for work on photographic images first and graphics second. This course spends about 40% of its time on photographic-specific techniques and about 25% of its time on graphic-specific techniques. The remaining 35% of the time is spent learning features and tools that can be used in either graphic or photograpic image work.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers a number of courses that will help you expand upon the knowledge gained in this course and further your skills in several key areas. Those courses include:

• 470: Developing a Website: Hands-On 
• 284: Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving 
• 345: Delivering Dynamic Presentations 
• 194: Hands-On Visio®: Designing Effective Visual Solutions 
• 2315: Designing Websites for Mobile Devices: Hands-On 

US Dates