JRN 440 Adv. Online Journalism Destructive, masks, blend modes

1. JRN 440Adv. Online JournalismDestructive, masks, blend modes Wednesday, 1/25/2012

2. Class Objectives • Lecture • Layers, • Destructive and non-destructive editing • Masks, blend modes • Homework • Ex. 2, 3, due Monday, 1/30 by 2:05pm

3. Photoshop and Layers • You have the ability to work in a layered fashion (<Windows <Layers) • Why is this good to do? • Easier to change your image • Think of your image as a painting… when all the paint is on top of each other, it is harder to make changes • Can also view/hide certain layers • Note: your background layer is locked (you either need to unlock it or duplicate it to have full ability to make changes)

4. Photoshop and Layers • Ultimately, if you save your file as a non-native format (other than TIF), your file will flatten • So it’s always a good idea to save • A native file (.psd) • A non-native file (.jpg, .pdf, .eps, .png)

5. Destructive editing in Photoshop • Permanently changes your pixels • We’re not talking about going back in your history or reverting a file • Think of it this way, you’re permanently changing your pixels (finger painting directly onto artwork) • Examples: Adjustments of brightness, contrast, tools, color changes, filters

6. Non-destructive editing in PS • Background image/layer is not changed until you flatten your image (finger painting above artwork) • Easiest way to do this is duplicate your background image onto a new layer • Adjustment layers • Smart Objects • Use smart filters • highed.atomiclearning.com • Photoshop CS4 (Mac) • Using smart filters

7. Non-destructive editing in PS • Cropping nondestructively (on unlocked layer) • After you create a cropping rectangle with the Crop tool, select Hide from the options bar to preserve the cropped area in a layer. • Restore the cropped area anytime by choosing < Image < Reveal All

8. Masks (different kinds of…) • What if you want to block of part of your image but still want to keep the pixels? • You can create a mask • Masks let you isolate and protect areas of an image as you apply color changes, filters, or other effects to the rest of the image • Default color is red due to traditional printing mask technique involving “rubyliths”

9. Temporary Masks • Quick Mask- used for precision • Make your selection (using selection tools) • Click on button called “Quick Mask” • Everything masked off is red • Can add to mask with pencil or paint brush and black foreground color • Can delete from mask with eraser and white color (or switch colors and keep same brush) • If you do not like the red- double click on the Quick Mask button and change colors/ opacity of color

10. Tutorial on Quick Masks • First off, open up an image (any landscape image will do) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_IukgNM1fI&feature=related (2 minutes) • You can also “paint” on a mask • Highed.atomiclearning.com • Photoshop 4, Using Quick Mask Mode • Tip: although you may “clean” at above 100% viewing size, your image will only print at what is seen and not seen at 100%

11. Saving Quick Masks • Need to save mask to make it permanent, otherwise, if you click off of it (or deselect), all you will have is marching ants • < Select <Save Selection (which becomes an alpha channel) • To load selection at a later time <Select <Load Selection

12. Layer Masks • Is also non-destructive way to edit parts of a layer • Go to your Layers palette • Background layer, by default is locked, double click it to unlock it • Better yet, create a duplicate layer (non-destructive editing) • Make your selection • Click on the “Add Layer Mask” button • Need to have the layer mask selected to work on it • Any tool you use that has white reveals layer • Any tool you used that has black hides/masks layer • X on the keyboard is shortcut for switching colors

13. Layer Masks • Open up 2 different images • Copy and paste one image into another • Open Apple A, Open Apple C, go to second image, Open Apple V • Go to your layers palette • Select the second layer, click on “Add Layer Mask” button • Erase the elements you want. • Or, instead of this, apply a gradient to masks to blend two photographs together

14. Anti-Aliasing with Selections • Used when you want to partially select pixels in between fully selected ones • Photoshop default is to check anti-alias box • Need to do this because of stair-stepping that occurs when making curves or diagonals out of square pixels • NOT for rectangular or single row selections • YES for ovals or nonregular shapes • Will not see difference if box is checked or not checked on your monitor • May see it in pieces that you print!

15. Blending Modes • Another non-destructive way to blend 2 layers together (as long as you leave file unflattened) • Can always set blending mode of layer back to being “normal” • Will most commonly use normal and change opacity to help “see thru” a layer • Web page explaining each blending mode http://www.cgtextures.com/content.php?action=tutorial&name=blendmodes • Lots of online tutorials including http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvGqXcpl6Tc&feature=fvst (8 minutes)

16. On your own: Tutorial on Masks • First things • Download the image suspension bridge • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBbklm4cuY&feature=related (4 minutes) – nice way to make a grayscale image • Can compare this technique – using the blue in the channel – to <image <mode <grayscale and you’ll see that this technique lends to richer looking blacks.

17. On your own: Tutorial on Masks • First things • Download Earth and open mouth images off of website images page • Need to know how to proportionately scale things (< Edit <Transform < Scale) and use Shift key • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saaQTGKNMW8 (8 minutes)- trick about selecting and space bar, changing brush sizes with bracket keys, x key foreground and background colors

18. On your own: Tutorial on Layer Masks • First things, have 3 images open in Photoshop • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA8TgyTruV8&feature=related (start at 1:20, 6 minutes) • Create a layer mask filled with black, hold down Alt key when clicking “Add layer mask” button