EDITING PHOTOS IN PHOTOSHOP

First - Save all of your images to the desktop that you are working on. If they are in your backpack, on a jump drive, CD, E-mail, whatever, save them to the desktop you are working on first. If you work off of any of those different media then you will increase your chances of problems down the line.

Second - Open Photoshop by clicking on the icon on your computer's dock.

Third - THROUGH PHOTOSHOP, Click File > Open, then find your image that you have saved to the desktop. If you just click on the image then it will open in Preview and not Photoshop.

NOW

After you have your photos open, you can edit the photos how you see fit. Some photos will need more work than others, it is a total judgment call on your part. I will walk you through the way I edit photos for my paper.

1. The first thing I do is change the image size. (Click Image>Image Size)
When this box opens, first make sure that Constrain Proportions and Resample Image boxes are both checked (Constrain Proportions won't be available until you check Resample Image, so click the Resample Image box and the Constrain Proportions box will light up)

Make sure the options under "Document Size" are set to inches.
As for dimensions, your magazine cover is going to be a resolution of 300(PAY ATTENTION, I SAID 200 AT FIRST BUT IT IS NOW 300). Your covers are 8 inches tall x 10 inches wide. So if you want your photo to be the full background, reset them accordingly. If you aren't, then reset the size accordingly.


2. Levels
Click Image > Adjustments > Levels
Herein lies one of your first judgment calls as far as editing your photos will go. On the top drop down menu you can select any of the colors (Red, Green, or Blue) or you can use the mix bar that says (RGB). Using the individual color lets you control the amount of each color that is in the picture. Using the RGB selection regulates the colors proportionately.
Select the color mode you want to edit in and use the arrows under the diagram to add/subtract the color. Use the middle arrow to control the midpoint.

3. Curves
Click Image > Adjustments > Curves
When the box opens, make sure the Preview box is checked.
This is one way you can control the brightness of your photos. If they are dark, pull the curve more to the light side. If they are light then you can pull the curve more to the dark side. A good edit usually looks like an S curve on the diagram box that opens up.

4. Brightness/Contrast
Click Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast
When the box opens, make sure the Preview box is checked.
This is a simpler way of doing the same idea as curves.

* This is all you should really have to do to correct your photos. If you have anything unique you want to do, ask myself or Meriam or Dannell for help.


After you are done editing your photos, Save them back to the desktop and then you can move them onto whatever device you are using to transport your project.

J-152 Section 1

Magazine Cover Project (Project no. 1)

Requirements:
Photograph
There should be one main photograph on the cover of your magazine. There can be more than one but this is not a necessity and you WILL NOT get any extra points for using extra photos. This is a creative decision.

Banner/Nameplate (whatever you want to call it)
Your nameplate is everything that goes into the title of your magazine (ie Elle, Maxim, Time). As for your magazines you will make a new nameplate for a new magazine. Do not recreate Sports Illustrated or ESPN magazine. If you are making a sports magazine you must come up with a NEW name.
All of the design elements come into effect here (size of your nameplate, size of the text in your nameplate, font color, anything that you can/want to do to make your nameplate look good)

Teasers
Teasers are the text items on the front of a magazine that 'tease' you into the stories inside. For you, and this may be different for Dannell's sections so don't be alarmed, you need a minimum of THREE teasers and a maximum of FIVE teasers. Any more will lose points as will not having at least three. Again, font size, color, placement, everything comes into play here. CRAP!

Extras
There are countless extras that can go into the front of a magazine. I want to see what your imagination and your knowledge of magazines can come up with. What else goes onto the front of a magazine? (Hint: I am talking about things like the bar code and such)

Remember you are DESIGNING so BE CREATIVE…have fun and envision your project and work to get it done that way. Don't just get to a point where something gets hard and you give up. Ask questions, post to the blog, send me an E-mail, send the class an E-mail. ASK TRY ASK..that’s the only way you will learn. (That and actually opening the program)

REMINDERS
1. EVERYTHING goes on a new layer STARTING WITH YOUR MAIN PHOTO. Don't set your photo as you background cause then you will lose control of it for the duration and will have to start over. Set the background as a white/clear layer and LAYER 1 should be your photo.

2. Edit your photos separate from your mag cover project. Get them ready first, then start laying out.
This is all that is coming to me right now…anything else I will send more later.

GOOD LUCK!

Hey Guys,
For Friday I want you guys to come with three sketches of what you want your magazine cover to look like. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate but it shouldn't be something that looks like you woke up and sketched it before you leave.

Remember, the requirements are a photo, banner, and at least three teasers. You are also supposed to know what you want to call your magazine by this Friday as well so include that in your sketch.

Any questions, just ask me.

Matt

PS Reply to this so I know you are on here

Blog for Section 1