Students will need a copy of the Adobe Photoshop CC software in order to do coursework.

Students will:

• Navigate the Photoshop interface and identify key tools and panels.
• Select and manage layers in Photoshop.
• Use a variety of selection tools to isolate parts of an image for editing.
• Apply basic correction and enhancement tools, such as the crop tool, spot healing brush, and clone stamp tool.
• Use advanced correction and enhancement tools, such as adjustment layers, smart filters, and content-aware fill.
• Create masks to selectively hide parts of a layer and add text to their images.
• Create paths using the vector drawing tools in Photoshop.
• Create composite images by combining multiple images and using layer features such as blending modes and layer masks.
• Prepare images for print and web by adjusting image resolution, color mode, and file format.
• Use Photoshop’s 3D and video editing features to create and edit 3D objects and videos within the program.

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: Getting to Know the Work Area

In this lesson, you’ll learn to navigate Adobe Photoshop’s interface, use the Tools panel, and manage panels effectively. Further, you discover how to open image files, adjust tool settings, and use zoom functions. You’ll also learn how to undo actions to correct mistakes or revise your edits.

Lesson 2: Basic Photo Corrections

In this lesson, you’ll master key retouching strategies in Adobe Photoshop, focusing on image resolution, size adjustments, and color correction to enhance your photos. You learn how to straighten, crop, and adjust the tonal range of images. You will also explore removing distractions with the Remove tool and filling large areas with Generative Fill. Finally, you apply the Smart Sharpen filter to refine your retouching work.

Lesson 3: Working with Selections

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to effectively use Photoshop’s selection tools to edit specific areas of your images. You will see how to activate, move, rotate, and duplicate selections, streamline your workflow with keyboard-mouse shortcuts, and adjust selections with precision. Additionally, you’ll master adding to and subtracting from selections for complex edits.

Lesson 4: Layer Basics

In this lesson, you’ll dive into the power of layers, layer effects, and gradients in Photoshop. You organize and manipulate artwork on layers, including resizing, rotating, and applying filters. You’ll also explore non-destructive editing techniques using adjustment layers, adding text and effects, and saving files with flattened layers.

Lesson 5: Quick Fixes

In this lesson, you’ll acquire techniques to enhance your snapshots, create seamless panoramas, and correct image distortions for a professional finish. Removal of red eye, brightening images, and adjusting facial features for improved portraits is covered. You’ll see how to combine and crop images for panoramas, blur backgrounds, merge photos for extended depth of field, and apply lens corrections and perspective adjustments to achieve your desired results.

Lesson 6: Masks and Patterns

In this lesson, you’ll dive deep into advanced Photoshop features, enhancing your editing control. You learn to swiftly select subjects and effectively use Select and Mask to isolate them by removing backgrounds. You’ll refine masks to capture complex edges and manipulate images with Puppet Warp.

Lesson 7: Typographic Design

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to design eye-catching text and use it to enhance your graphic compositions. The use of guides for precise text placement, creating clipping masks with type, and merging text with other layers for integrated designs is covered. You’ll also explore how to preview and format fonts, flow text along a path, and utilize advanced typography controls to make your designs stand out.

Lesson 8: Vector Drawing Techniques

In this lesson, you’ll explore the fundamental differences between bitmap and vector graphics, and learn how to effectively utilize each type in your designs. You gain skills in drawing precise paths and shapes with the Pen tool, and create custom vector shapes for unique design elements. You’ll also learn how to use Smart Guides to enhance accuracy and efficiency in your work.

Lesson 9: Advanced Compositing

In this lesson, you’ll master essential techniques to arrange layers and apply Smart Filters for dynamic composites. You learn how to use the Liquify filter for creative image distortion and selectively apply color effects. Finally, you will enhance low-resolution images with upscale techniques to maintain quality, and utilize the History panel to revert changes effectively.

Lesson 10: Painting with the Mixer Brush

In this lesson, you’ll work with the capabilities of the Mixer Brush in Photoshop. You customize and clean brushes, mix colors effectively, and create unique brush presets. Additionally, you practice using wet and dry brushes to blend colors, enhancing your skills in creating vibrant digital artwork.

Lesson 11: Editing Video

This lesson covers how to edit videos using Photoshop’s Timeline panel. You will sequence and trim video files, add motion to still layers, and insert transitions between clips. You’ll also animate layers with keyframes, add audio, and render your completed video creations effortlessly.

Lesson 12: Working with Camera Raw

By the end of this lesson, you will understand how to handle Camera Raw files to achieve professional-quality image processing. You will open and adjust tone and color in raw images, sharpen details, and apply synchronized settings across multiple photos. Additionally, you’ll gain skills in retouching portraits using masked adjustments for stunning results.

Lesson 13: Preparing Files for the Web

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to enhance your design workflow in Photoshop. You’ll see how to use the Frame tool for precise layout placeholders, create and style web buttons, and manage layer groups and artboards effectively. You’ll also learn to automate repetitive tasks with actions, optimize assets for the web, and design for various screen sizes using multiple artboards.

Lesson 14: Editing for Consistent Color

This lesson covers essential techniques in color management, proofing, and preparing files for professional printing. You’ll learn how to prepare images for presses, define and utilize RGB, grayscale, and CMYK color spaces, and closely examine images before final output. Additionally, you’ll practice proofing images for printing, preparing them for color printers, and saving them as Photoshop PDF files for consistent and perfect print results.

Lesson 15: Exploring Generative AI

In this lesson, you’ll discover the unique capabilities of Photoshop’s Generative. You’ll learn how AI-driven filters differ from traditional effects, explore the dedicated Neural Filters workspace, and apply these filters to enhance images. Additionally, you’ll gain experience combining multiple Neural Filters on a single document to create sophisticated edits and restore antique photos.

All necessary course materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares a student to take the Adobe Visual design using Photoshop national certification exam.