Getting Started with Photoshop: Exercises

Using the Selection Tools

1.     Open a sample file from Photoshop's Goodies > Samples folder.

2.     Select an area with each type of Marquee tool.

3.     Move a selection and its contents:

a)     Use the Rectangular Marquee tool to select an area.

b)    Select the Move tool and drag the selected area to a new position.

c)     Use the arrow keys to nudge the selection and refine its placement.

4.     Add to a selection by pressing the Shift key, then use a Marquee tool.

5.     Subtract from a selection by pressing the Option/Alt key, then use a Marquee tool.

6.     From the Select menu, choose Inverse, then press the Delete/Backspace key.

7.     From the File menu, choose Revert.

Changing the View; Using Painting and Editing Tools

1.     Select the Zoom tool (magnifying glass) and click on the image several times.

2.     Press the Option/Alt key and, using the Zoom tool, click on the image to zoom out.

3.     Select the Hand tool and move the image to center an interesting area.

4.     Modify the image with the Pencil, Eraser, and Airbrush tools. 

5.     Back up several steps using the History palette.

6.     Double-click on the Foreground color icon to display the color palette; to change the color, move the rainbow slider to a different color range, then click on a desired color.

7.     Select the Paintbrush tool and paint on the image with the new foreground color. Click the tab on the Brushes palette and choose a new brush size. Click the Swatches and Color palettes and choose new colors from them.

8.     From the View menu, select Fit on Screen. Note the keyboard shortcut.

TIP: When you are simply viewing an image, click on the Rectangular Marquee tool to avoid accidentally drawing on your image.

Adjusting the Image; Using the Type Tool

1.     From the Image menu, select Adjust >Auto Levels. Then select Adjust >Levels.

2.      Manipulate the triangular sliders underneath the histogram and observe the changes in the image as you move the black, white, and midpoint sliders. Click Cancel.

3.     From the Image menu, select Adjust>Brightness/Contrast, and manipulate the sliders as you observe the changes in the image. Click Cancel.

4.     From the Image menu, choose Image Size, and change the size. Crop off the bottom.

5.     Open a new file, and from the Edit menu, choose Fill. From the Image menu, change the Canvas Size, adding space at the bottom of the image. Fill again. Using the Type tool, add a title for the image at the bottom. Note new layer.

6.     Using the Move tool, drag the photo image into the new file. Note new layer.

Touchups and Filters

1.     Select the target layer, and then select the Rubber Stamp, or cloning tool. While holding down the Option/Alt key, click the mouse button at a spot on the image from which you want to start cloning, called the point of origin. Release the key and the mouse button. Move the Rubber Stamp tool to a point at which you want to duplicate the image, then press and drag the mouse. Note that a crosshair appears at the point of origin, and moves in tandem as you drag. The image will be picked up at the crosshair and duplicated where you drag. For best results, use short strokes and change the point of origin from time to time. Save.

2.     Apply any filter in the Filter menu to the image and observe the effect. From the Edit menu, choose Undo. Experiment with other filters. If you apply more than one filter at a time, and want to start over, use the History palette, or from the File menu, choose Revert.

3.     As a last step in retouching a photo, apply the Unsharp Mask filter to subtly heighten the contrast of the edge detail.

Saving for the Web

1.     From the File menu, choose Save for Web... Click on the 4-Up tab, and experiment with various JPEG and GIF options, noting the differences in file size and download times.

 

This document is a companion to Getting Started with Adobe Photoshop

20 August, 2000, Center for Instructional Technologies | UT Austin