Photoshop Basics
Will Help You Hit the Digital Highway

by Jim Endicott

Whenever I lean over the hood of my car, I realize that I have a fairly limited understanding of what goes on in there. Oh, I've read some books and know the theory of internal combustion -- but there are a ton of things that happen when I turn the key of which I know practically nothing. I'll tell you a secret, though: I know enough to get around.

For any of you who have opened up Adobe Photoshop for the first time with the intent of editing a photo or logo, you have probably felt a little like you just climbed behind the wheel of a Ferrari and can't find where to put the key.

Photoshop is a truly powerful editing tool, but many of us only need a small portion of the available horsepower. This month we're going to look at some basic steps you need to know to get your presentation images edited quickly in Photoshop, without running into too much trouble ... so buckle up and hang on. (All menu references will be made for Macintosh version 5.0, but most exist in version 4.0 as well.)

Step 1: Scanning

Before you can edit a photographic print, of course, you have to get it into your computer using a scanner.

Place your photograph on the scanner bed and try to keep it as square as possible to the edge by aligning it to the side of the scannable image area. You have several basic options to consider before you scan. Different manufacturer's scanning software will not necessarily label those options the same, but the basic parameters are as follows:

·        Type of scan:
Typically color. Usually stated as True Color (which implies 24-bit color).

·        Color depth of image:
Start with 24-bit (16.8 million colors). This will provide more image-enhancement options once you're in Photoshop.

·        Size dimensions:
Note the pixel dimension indicated in the scanning software. (e.g., 450 x 750 pixels). Create a scanned image 50 percent larger than your final requirement. Need a quarter-screen scan and you're working at 800 x 600 screen resolution? Scan at 600 pixels wide (150 percent of 400 pixels). We will be optimizing the final size before we're done with the image.

·        DPI selection:
Start with 300 dpi. We'll optimize this in Step 6. If you know you're creating an image for an electronic presentation, go ahead and start with 100 dpi. All these attributes have a direct impact on the size of the final scanned image.

·        SAVE options:
SAVE the resulting scan as a TIFF image and import the file into Photoshop using the FILE OPEN command in the application.

No matter how good your original photo is, it will need some fine-tuning to make it as good as it can be. Even stock photography on a CD will typically have black borders and too much contrast because of the slide-to-digital conversion. This is where a good understanding of some of Photoshop's basic capabilities can really help.

Step 2: Rotating the image

Placing an image sideways or upside down on the scanner means that we need to first rotate the image. Under the Image menu item locate ROTATE CANVAS. Here you'll find all the options necessary to fix the orientation.

Step 3: Image-cropping

Selecting the dotted box in the upper left-hand corner of the Photoshop toolbar (Marquee tool) will allow you to drag-select a cropping rectangle on the photographic image. Eliminating unnecessary image backgrounds is a good way to focus your audience's attention. Once you've selected the desired portion of the image, go to the Image menu, then the CROP option to cut out the unnecessary areas of the image. Make a mistake? Hit Control-Z (UNDO) and try again. (Caution: Only Photoshop 5.0 allows you to execute more than one level of UNDO.) Can't find the toolbar? Go to the Windows menu and down to SHOW TOOLBAR to pop it up onscreen.

Step 4: Enhancing image clarity

It's not uncommon for a second-generation digital photo to lose a small amount of clarity, depending on the quality of scanner. Consequently, it is often necessary to sharpen up the image. This is easily accomplished using the UNSHARP MASK option in Photoshop. Under the Filter menu, choose SHARPEN and then UNSHARP MASK.

This tool adds contrast to adjacent pixels in the image to give slightly blurry images a crisper look. Start with 30 percent under the Amount section. Exercise some restraint with this tool, however. Over-sharpening can create a surreal look that detracts from the intended impact. If you want to create a subtler treatment after you've applied the UNSHARP MASK, return to the Filter menu, select the FADE UNSHARP MASK option and play with the opacity control.

Step 5: Color and brightness improvements

If you're lucky, your image colors will be perfect. But if they need some help, try this:
Locate the VARIATIONS option by going to the Image menu, ADJUST and then select the VARIATIONs option.

A number of versions of your image will appear onscreen, with different colors and brightness levels. The original image will be retained at the top while you create "what if" scenarios with your color and brightness choices. The combination of options chosen will be profiled next to your original so that you don't lose track of where you started. Adjusting the Coarse to Fine slide bar will create degrees of change. Click OK when you're done.

Step 6: Contrast adjustment

Under the Image menu, locate the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST option. The slide adjustments will help you flatten out your image if it has too much contrast.

Step 7: Eliminate small imperfections

We're almost done. Maybe you've spotted a dust spot in the sky or another imperfection that's driving you crazy. I suggest you SAVE at this point because it becomes very easy to mess up the good things you've done so far.

ZOOM IN to the imperfection using the magnifying-glass option on the toolbar (ZOOM OUT using ALT key and a mouse click), then select the Rubber Stamp tool. This tool will replicate adjoining pixels and repaint them over the imperfection. Hold down the ALT key and select some closely adjoining, near-identical pixels. (You'll notice that the Stamper tool changes appearance during this selection process.) Release the ALT key and click on the imperfection. The good adjoining pixels will paint over the bad ones. I suggest small clicks as opposed to dragging lines of painted pixels. Experimentation will teach you much more than I can go into here.

Step 8: Optimizing the image

You've completed the tough part, now it's time to wrap it up. Select IMAGE and then IMAGE SIZE. Here's where we optimize the image for your intended output.

·        Electronic presentation: 100 dpi.
Alter pixel dimensions proportionately to the size required for your presentation.

·        Digital print or overheads: 300 dpi.
Same pixel dimension instructions.

·        35mm high-resolution slides: 200-250 dpi.
Same pixel dimension instructions.

Step 9: Saving

Under the File menu select the SAVE A COPY option. For applications that can accept a JPEG format, scroll down to the JPEG option. Create a file name and SAVE. A box will pop up prompting you with different image-quality options. Other file formats are also available.

We've only touched on the functional basics of Photoshop, but that's OK. There's a lot you can do without being a Photoshop whiz. Besides, it's kind of fun to drive a Ferrari to the grocery store for milk and eggs once in a while.

Jim Endicott is owner/manager of Distinction, a business communications company that provides creative and consulting support services. Jim assists business professionals in enhancing the content, tools and techniques related to effective presenting. 

Originally published in the August 1998 issue of Presentations magazine. If you would like a copy of this issue contact the Circulation Department at 800.707.7749 or nswanson@lakewoodpub.com