Adobe Photoshop - Mastering CORE Concepts
by Myron Achtman
Start the free chapterAdobe Photoshop - Mastering CORE Concepts presents all the essential aspects of digital imaging in easy to understand terms. This course will prove to be your most important resource for Photoshop Training. Whether you are using Photoshop Elements or the latest version of Photoshop CS, you'll discover key techniques to get the most from these great image editing applications. From computer set-up and monitor calibration to image correction, printing and web, this course has it all! To begin learning simply click on one of the movie links.
Course content
Adobe Photoshop â Mastering Core Concepts1 lessons
Building Blocks of Computer Images9 lessons
- Introduction - Defining the Pixel1:321 credit or ad
- How Computers Store Color Info - pt. 16:091 credit or ad
- How Computers Store Color Info - pt. 26:191 credit or ad
- Looking at Color in Real World Images1:341 credit or ad
- Creating Shading with Pixel Dithering1:131 credit or ad
- Creating Colors with Pixel Dithering1:351 credit or ad
- Hue / Saturation and Brightness5:091 credit or ad
- Tonal Range: Highlights-Midtones-Shadows6:021 credit or ad
- What's Next0:201 credit or ad
Types of Raster Images8 lessons
- Introduction3:131 credit or ad
- Characteristics of Bitmap Images2:401 credit or ad
- Characteristics of Grayscale Images1:551 credit or ad
- Characteristics of True Color Images1:441 credit or ad
- Characteristics of Indexed Color Images2:301 credit or ad
- Characteristics of CMYK Images2:251 credit or ad
- File Sizes of Raster Images on Disk0:491 credit or ad
- Summary and Observations0:541 credit or ad
Monitor Resolution and Aspect Ratio7 lessons
Calibrating and Profiling the Monitor11 lessons
- Introduction1:571 credit or ad
- Setting the Screen Resolution0:491 credit or ad
- Setting the Color Quality0:371 credit or ad
- Setting the Refresh Rate1:231 credit or ad
- Setting the Desktop Color1:401 credit or ad
- Calibrating with Adobe Gamma - pt. 14:101 credit or ad
- Calibrating with Adobe Gamma - pt. 25:041 credit or ad
- Calibrating with Adobe Gamma - pt. 36:321 credit or ad
- Calibrating with Adobe Gamma - pt. 40:351 credit or ad
- Creating a More Accurate Monitor Profile0:511 credit or ad
- Summary0:311 credit or ad
Image Color Management6 lessons
Scanning Fundamentals19 lessons
- Introduction0:311 credit or ad
- Scanning Resolution - The Magic Number3:281 credit or ad
- How a Scanner Works2:251 credit or ad
- Hardware Installation and Drivers1:461 credit or ad
- What is TWAIN2:581 credit or ad
- Determining Our Magic Number - pt. 16:451 credit or ad
- Determining Our Magic Number - pt. 23:171 credit or ad
- The Importance of Optical Resolution1:191 credit or ad
- The 72 spi Scan1:031 credit or ad
- Naming and Saving the Test Scans1:041 credit or ad
- Comparing the 50 spi and 200 spi Scans3:111 credit or ad
- Printing the Test Scans at High Quality1:181 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Test Prints3:091 credit or ad
- The Magic Number for Other Media4:451 credit or ad
- The Magic Number for Commercial Printing0:531 credit or ad
- The Magic Number for Web Graphics3:481 credit or ad
- Image Restoration and The Magic Number2:401 credit or ad
- Scanning Line Art4:311 credit or ad
- Summary0:321 credit or ad
Resizing Digital Images11 lessons
- Introduction1:351 credit or ad
- Viewing On-screen Images3:331 credit or ad
- Resizing Images by Rescaling6:321 credit or ad
- Resizing Images by Resampling3:271 credit or ad
- Sharpening with the Unsharp Mask Filter1:491 credit or ad
- Why 72 ppi is Irrelevant on the Screen3:211 credit or ad
- Quick Summary of Rescaling - Resampling0:241 credit or ad
- Using Both Rescaling and Resampling5:341 credit or ad
- Image Resolution and Viewing Distance6:101 credit or ad
- When not to Resample an Image3:441 credit or ad
- Summary1:351 credit or ad
Color Calibrating the Printer21 lessons
- Introduction0:571 credit or ad
- Calibrating a 4-Color Inkjet Printer1:511 credit or ad
- Updating the HP1200 Printer Driver1:101 credit or ad
- Obtaining a Printer Calibration Image0:561 credit or ad
- Disabling Windows Color Management2:121 credit or ad
- Disabling Automatic Driver Settings4:171 credit or ad
- Examining the Calibration Test Image4:061 credit or ad
- Making the First HP1200 Test Print3:031 credit or ad
- Evaluating the First HP1200 Test Print0:511 credit or ad
- Correcting the HP1200 Output Settings2:351 credit or ad
- Calibrating a 6-Color Inkjet Printer1:161 credit or ad
- Printers on My Computer1:131 credit or ad
- Installing the Epson R340 Inkjet Printer0:441 credit or ad
- Configuring the Epson R340 Printer6:121 credit or ad
- Calibrating the R340 in Photoshop1:581 credit or ad
- Making the First R340 Test Print1:101 credit or ad
- Evaluating the First R340 Test Print1:121 credit or ad
- Correcting the R340 Output Settings1:311 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Second R340 Test Print0:531 credit or ad
- Setting New Defaults for the R3401:331 credit or ad
- Summary0:561 credit or ad
Calibrating the Scanner27 lessons
- Introduction0:561 credit or ad
- What to do with Your Perfect Print3:391 credit or ad
- Scanning in Automatic Mode0:591 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Automatic Result5:271 credit or ad
- Correcting the Automatic Scan3:041 credit or ad
- Switching the Scanner to Manual Mode1:061 credit or ad
- Scanner Configuration Settings3:571 credit or ad
- Scanning the Calibration Target3:191 credit or ad
- Evaluating the First Manual Scan1:131 credit or ad
- Adjusting at the Scanning Stage3:591 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Manually Adjusted Scan3:341 credit or ad
- Scanning with Image Color Management4:241 credit or ad
- Evaluating the First ICM Scan1:411 credit or ad
- Manually Adjusting the ICM Scan1:231 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Manual ICM Scan1:011 credit or ad
- Summary of our Test Scans1:371 credit or ad
- Saving the Color Corrected Scans1:421 credit or ad
- Which is Better - Color Controls or ICM2:291 credit or ad
- Printing our Calibrated Scans3:331 credit or ad
- Evaluating the Prints1:091 credit or ad
- Scanning with No Color Correction0:561 credit or ad
- Evaluating the No Color correction Scan1:001 credit or ad
- Adjusting the Scanned Image1:301 credit or ad
- Saving the No Color Controls Scan1:151 credit or ad
- Saving Calibrated Settings2:441 credit or ad
- Scanning with a Calibrated System3:351 credit or ad
- Summary1:161 credit or ad
From Pixels to Printer Dots18 lessons
- Introduction2:031 credit or ad
- Gray Shades from Black and White Printers0:381 credit or ad
- How Inkjet Printers Work1:531 credit or ad
- How Laser Printers Work2:171 credit or ad
- The RIP - Raster Image Processor2:331 credit or ad
- How Halftone Spots are Created5:181 credit or ad
- Halftone Spots from a 2400 dpi Printer1:581 credit or ad
- 256 Shades from a 1200 dpi Laser Printer2:471 credit or ad
- Scanning Resolution and Line Screen1:141 credit or ad
- The Shape of Halftone Spots1:281 credit or ad
- Halftone Screen Angles0:521 credit or ad
- How Color Images are Converted to Printer Dots1:141 credit or ad
- Analyzing CMYK Ink Contributions2:051 credit or ad
- Taking a Closer Look0:491 credit or ad
- Color Halftones and Screen Angles1:481 credit or ad
- Summary0:381 credit or ad
- My Philosophy on Terminology1:381 credit or ad
- Whatâs Next0:421 credit or ad
Making Selections21 lessons
- Introduction1:191 credit or ad
- Making Rectangular Selections5:521 credit or ad
- Simple Circular Selections7:051 credit or ad
- The Lasso Tool3:401 credit or ad
- The Magnetic Lasso Tool4:301 credit or ad
- The Polygon Lasso Tool2:421 credit or ad
- The Magic Wand Tool5:381 credit or ad
- The Magic Selection Brush3:211 credit or ad
- Masking with the Magic Selection Brush6:581 credit or ad
- The Color Range Command - pt. 15:351 credit or ad
- The Color Range Command - pt. 23:511 credit or ad
- Compositing into Another Image4:121 credit or ad
- Masking Images in Photoshop CS6:191 credit or ad
- The Extract Filter - pt. 13:571 credit or ad
- The Extract Filter - pt. 26:381 credit or ad
- The Extract Filter - pt. 36:241 credit or ad
- Compositing the Llama and Zebra - pt. 16:351 credit or ad
- Compositing the Llama and Zebra - pt. 26:421 credit or ad
- Extracting with Elements - pt. 13:161 credit or ad
- Extracting with Elements - pt. 25:181 credit or ad
- Summary0:341 credit or ad
Straighten - Crop - Color Variations7 lessons
Fixing Keystoning8 lessons
- Skewed Poster â A Case History2:021 credit or ad
- Working with a Keystoned Image1:531 credit or ad
- Using Ruler Guides1:001 credit or ad
- Transforming a Selection with Distortion3:011 credit or ad
- Cropping the Poster0:331 credit or ad
- Resizing the Ad1:541 credit or ad
- Sharpening with the Unsharp Mask Tool1:321 credit or ad
- Summary0:211 credit or ad
Adjusting the Tonal Range9 lessons
- Evaluating the Faded Photo0:521 credit or ad
- Adjusting the Tonal Range using Levels0:281 credit or ad
- Defining the True Shadow Areas2:021 credit or ad
- Defining the True Highlights3:451 credit or ad
- Combing - How to Compensate for Combing4:021 credit or ad
- Using a Levels Adjustment Layer3:111 credit or ad
- Adjusting the Midtones1:021 credit or ad
- Restoring Details with a Layer Mask2:061 credit or ad
- Summary0:501 credit or ad
Red Eye Removal - Tonal Range - Hue Correction6 lessons
Dealing with Difficult Highlights and Shadows14 lessons
- Examining a Difficult Image1:171 credit or ad
- Failure to Adjust with Levels1:441 credit or ad
- Multiply Blend Mode to Darken Highlights1:531 credit or ad
- Screen Blend Mode to Brighten Shadows0:561 credit or ad
- Adjusting Shadows Using a Layer Mask2:511 credit or ad
- Toggling the Layer Mask Off and On0:361 credit or ad
- Viewing the Mask in the Image Window1:171 credit or ad
- Rubylith Overlay Inside the Layer Mask0:591 credit or ad
- Adjusting Highlights Using a Layer Mask4:031 credit or ad
- Reactivating Unmasked Areas0:401 credit or ad
- Adjusting the Hue in Unmasked Areas1:301 credit or ad
- Straightening the Horizon1:331 credit or ad
- Cropping to a Preselected Size2:201 credit or ad
- Summary0:211 credit or ad
Photo Restoration and Retouching10 lessons
- Scanning at Very High Resolutions1:491 credit or ad
- Comparing a 200 spi to a 600 spi Scan1:511 credit or ad
- Mechanics of the Clone Stamp Tool1:291 credit or ad
- Mechanics of the Healing Brush Tool2:141 credit or ad
- Using the Spot Healing Brush0:411 credit or ad
- Fixing Tears with the Healing Brush Tool3:091 credit or ad
- When to Favor the Clone Stamp Tool1:161 credit or ad
- When to Favor the Healing Brush Tool1:271 credit or ad
- Techniques for Professional Retouching4:451 credit or ad
- Summary0:231 credit or ad
Removing Dust and Scratches9 lessons
- Introduction0:501 credit or ad
- Assessing the Flawed Image1:441 credit or ad
- Impracticality of the Clone Stamp Tool0:281 credit or ad
- The Dust and Scratches Filter1:031 credit or ad
- Adjusting Radius and Threshold2:511 credit or ad
- Removing Scratches and Larger Flaws1:301 credit or ad
- Cropping with a Fixed Size Marquee2:061 credit or ad
- Making a Photo Quality 4 x 6 Inch Print0:561 credit or ad
- Saving the Retouched Image0:331 credit or ad
Portrait Perfection15 lessons
- Assessing the First Flawed Portrait2:101 credit or ad
- Working Non-Destructively with Layers1:031 credit or ad
- Sample All Layers with Cloning0:331 credit or ad
- The Lighten Blend Mode with Cloning1:331 credit or ad
- Reducing Corrections with Opacity0:391 credit or ad
- Sample All Layers and Healing Brush3:361 credit or ad
- Saving the Perfected Portrait0:471 credit or ad
- Assessing the Second Flawed Portrait0:451 credit or ad
- Correcting the Color balance2:191 credit or ad
- The Merit of Auto Color Correction1:031 credit or ad
- Making Teeth Whiter3:361 credit or ad
- Removing Skin Blemishes0:531 credit or ad
- Saving the Retouched Portrait0:401 credit or ad
- Comparing Before and After0:251 credit or ad
- Summary0:351 credit or ad
Optimizing Images for the Web29 lessons
- Introduction1:381 credit or ad
- Saving Images in the JPG Format1:211 credit or ad
- Examining the Color Profile1:411 credit or ad
- Cropping Out Unnecessary Image Areas1:261 credit or ad
- Resizing the Image for the Web Page1:391 credit or ad
- Sharpening the Resized Image1:361 credit or ad
- Saving Images with Save for Web2:161 credit or ad
- Image Optimization with JPG5:501 credit or ad
- Determining Download Times for Images1:101 credit or ad
- Color Profiles in Optimized Images0:561 credit or ad
- Web Images and Computer Environments2:491 credit or ad
- Resizing Images in Save for Web0:431 credit or ad
- Previewing Optimized Images1:291 credit or ad
- Saving the Optimized File1:281 credit or ad
- Review - Saving Photos for the Web2:311 credit or ad
- Optimizing Artwork Images - pt. 14:031 credit or ad
- Optimizing Artwork Images - pt. 24:421 credit or ad
- Examining Browser Dither3:061 credit or ad
- Previewing the GIF Image0:571 credit or ad
- Saving the Optimized GIF Image0:301 credit or ad
- Images on Colored Web Pages3:501 credit or ad
- Images on Textured Web Pages1:031 credit or ad
- Creating a GIF Image with Transparency2:391 credit or ad
- Viewing the Transparent GIF in Explorer0:281 credit or ad
- Color Fringes in Transparent GIFs1:511 credit or ad
- Evaluating a Matted GIF Image0:511 credit or ad
- Eliminating the Color Fringe2:241 credit or ad
- Optimizing Gradients4:361 credit or ad
- Summary0:421 credit or ad
Actions and Automaton21 lessons
- Introduction0:471 credit or ad
- The Actions Palette1:141 credit or ad
- Disabling Color Management Policies1:461 credit or ad
- Default Actions - pt. 14:571 credit or ad
- Default Actions - pt. 24:021 credit or ad
- Creating an Action from Scratch5:011 credit or ad
- Applying an Action as a Batch Job4:531 credit or ad
- Converting PowerPoint Presentations - pt. 17:211 credit or ad
- Converting PowerPoint Presentations - pt. 26:461 credit or ad
- Applying Our Action as a Batch Job4:081 credit or ad
- Preparing Photos for Tribute Videos2:191 credit or ad
- Preparing Images for Digital Video - pt. 16:421 credit or ad
- Preparing Images for Digital Video - pt. 25:011 credit or ad
- Preparing the Horizontal Images - pt. 16:111 credit or ad
- Preparing the Horizontal Images - pt. 23:091 credit or ad
- Batch Process - Contact Sheets7:311 credit or ad
- Batch Process - Web Sites - pt. 14:141 credit or ad
- Batch Process - Web Sites - pt. 25:421 credit or ad
- Additional Batch Operations0:541 credit or ad
- Automation in Photoshop Elements1:511 credit or ad
- Summary0:431 credit or ad
Preparing Files for Commercial Printing16 lessons
- Introduction2:361 credit or ad
- Starting Photoshop with its Default Settings2:051 credit or ad
- Configuring Photoshop's Color Settings2:301 credit or ad
- Advanced Mode Color Settings1:491 credit or ad
- Configuring the CMYK Working Space4:301 credit or ad
- Saving Custom CMYK Settings1:331 credit or ad
- Accessing Color Settings1:401 credit or ad
- Configuring the Scratch Disks4:191 credit or ad
- Preparing the Image - Open the File3:411 credit or ad
- Soft Proofing - Gamut Warning2:141 credit or ad
- Correcting with Adjustment Layers2:191 credit or ad
- Additional Proofing Options5:111 credit or ad
- Review - RGB to CMYK Preparation0:311 credit or ad
- Converting from RGB to CMYK1:041 credit or ad
- Saving the CMYK File0:461 credit or ad
- Summary1:121 credit or ad