Photoshop Workshop

I have only briefly used photoshop before so I found this workshop really helpful with getting used to the basics of the software. I had felt quite intimidated by the concept of using digital media but I realise it is something that I need to be comfortable using as it is an essential part of illustration nowadays. The tools and functions I learnt about today allow me to scan in a drawing, crop, set it to certain measurements, get rid of any imperfections and transform the image if required.

Original scanned image

The functions and tools I learned about today include:

• Scanning - selecting the correct mode, image type, dpi, scan area, correct file type to save it as.

• Crop - cropping with restricted proportions

• Healing spot tool - getting rid of any unwanted marks or objects, using information from surrounding area.
• Levels - allows you to play around with light and dark levels 

• Brush tool - getting rid of unwanted marks using a solid patch of colour

• Marquee tool - selecting an area of the image to work with
• Transform - changing the perspective/viewpoint of the image, reversing a distortion.
• Healing brush tool - selecting an area to copy to cover up a blemish. 

File types:

• Jpeg - a format everyone can view, small file size, good for use online
• Tiff - larger file size, good for printing
• Photoshop - saves a lot of layers so you can continue to work on it
• PNG - for an image with an invisible background

It was also useful to learn some keyboard shortcuts and general tips which will make using photoshop quicker in future. 

These are the variations of my image I managed to produce during today's workshop.