The Photoshop Companion: Industrial Strength Tools and Techniques
Grab
These Proven Tips, Tools And Techniques To Master Photoshop And Create
Better Scans, Images And Prints In Less Time
Let’s
face it. Photoshop is considered the industry standard of image
manipulation programs. But it’s a bear to use if you don’t
know how. And while the manuals tell you how to do it technically,
they’re often written by geeks who don’t know how to
speak to the user.
In
fact, I often wondered whether the people who write the manuals
ever actually use the program to create a professional image. They
seem to lack the “real world,” down and dirty, get-things-done
techniques that professionals actually use.
Example:
What’s the Number 1 mistake most Photoshop users make that
can easily ruin virtually every image they work on? I’ll let
you know in just a minute. But before we go any further, why should
you listen to me?
My
name is Nathan Segal. If you’ve been reading computer graphics
magazines or ezines you have probably seen my name. I’ve spent
the last 8-1/2 years working as an Artist and Writer. I’ve
been active as a Digital Artist for 10 years and way back in 1988
I worked as a Camera Operator in what was known as the Multi-Image
industry (a precursor to multimedia as it’s known today).
Over
the years I’ve published 322 articles and 2 books on the subject
of computer graphics and photography. I was the main contributing
Writer to Streaming Media World, where I wrote over 111 articles
over a 16 month period.
Currently,
I’m an Associate Editor at WebReference.com, a site that draws
between 150-175,000 page views each day.
The
topics I’ve covered include Software Reviews, Tutorials, Tips
and Tricks, Features, Profiles and Investigative Reporting. I create
my own illustrations, photographs and screen shots.
In
1996, I entered into a collaborative effort with 3 photographers
and one designer. Together, we created 296 digital images for stock
photography catalogs.
A
sampling of my clients are Visual Convergence, Web Developer, Photo
Techniques, Mac Design, Layers Magazine, Photoshop User, Streaming
Media World, WebReference.com and Rangefinder.
Nathan
Segal has written for us (Rangefinder Magazine) numerous times
in the past; always on technical matters and always with clarity
and a clear understanding of the material. His new work, Photoshop
Companion, is his best work to date. I
have digested many undigestible works on Photoshop; some so
obscure they could have been discussing nuclear physics for
all I could tell.
This
work is different. It has Segal's down to earth style and
clear understanding of the material. It makes Photoshop more
friendly, approachable and understandable. It's a must-read
for any serious student of Adobe Photoshop.
Bill
Hurter
Editor
Rangefinder Publishing Co.
1312 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-8506 (ext. 319)
I’m
not saying all this to brag, but I think it is extremely important
to understand the expertise of someone before you take their advice.
(We’ve all seen web sites and advice that aren’t worth
the pixels they are printed with.)
As a
Writer, my specialty is taking difficult topics and breaking them
down into terminology that's easy to understand.
How
Does This Help You?
I’ve
finally pulled the best Photoshop tips, tricks and techniques together
into one resource that will help anyone become a better Photoshop
user.
Introducing:
The Photoshop Companion
The
Photoshop Companion is an extensive practical resource that not
only covers Photoshop, but the software and devices that work in
conjunction with it. Let's
go back to that question I asked earlier. What's the Number 1 mistake
most Photoshop users make that can easily ruin virtually every image
they work on?
They
don't calibrate their monitors....
Why
Is This Important?
BECAUSE WITHOUT COLOR CALIBRATION
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RELY ON
ANYTHING YOU SEE!!!
Sure,
you might be one of the lucky users who gets a perfectly balanced
monitor right out of the box...
But
Do You Really Want To Take That Chance?
In
The Photoshop Companion you'll learn a simple 10 step method to
calibrate your monitor using Adobe Gamma.
It
only takes 5 minutes...
And
when you're done you can save the profile. As your monitor ages,
recalibration only takes a minute or two and then you're good to
go!!!
In
The Photoshop Companion what you get is knowledge and techniques
that took me 17 years to learn, all written into this volume. And
unlike many other computer manuals that lose their appeal and fade
into antiquity in a few months, most of the techniques here will
last for years.
As
an example, if you want to learn how to photograph art correctly
(page 66), that technique will still be as useful 20 years from
now as it is today.
For
web designers, image compression is one of the top issues. How much
is too much? On pages 16-21, you'll learn
about the popular web image formats
when
to use each one,
how
to compress an image without sacrificing quality.
why
one format will give you a better result than another.
Everything you will learn here has a practical application, not
some flash in the pan technique that you won’t use at all.
This
manual shows you how to avoid a lot of mistakes up-front and get
the results you deserve.
What
you’ll learn here will save you many hours of frustration
and allow you to become productive quickly.
Here’s
what you get in this manual:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter
1: Monitor Calibration: The Key to Obtaining Accurate Color (pg.
7)
Calibrate Your Monitor with Adobe Gamma, Monitor Software Solutions,
Additional Calibration Notes
Chapter
2: Computer Graphics Fundamentals (pg. 13)
The Differences between Bitmapped and Vector Graphics, The Relationship
between Resolution and Measurement, Working with Images, Resolution
Requirements for Different Media, Scanning Secrets, Define the Purpose
of the Scan, Start With a High-Quality Original, Cropping During
the Scan
Chapter
3: Understanding Web Graphics and Compression (pg.16)
JPEG & GIF, About Bitmaps, Compression Issues, Progressive JPEG
and JPEG-LS, Weighted Optimization, PNG, Additional Notes
Chapter
4: 10 Tips for Consistent Web Layouts (pg. 24)
1. Plot Layouts on Paper First, 2. Format Considerations, 3. Consistency
with Templates, 4. About Bandwidth, 5. Thumbnail Advantages, 6.
Using Compression and Reducing Colors, 7. Dithering and Banding,
8. Jagged Edges, 9. Be Cautious About Animations, 10. Vector-based
Animations
Chapter
5: 10 Professional Masking Tips (pg. 27)
1. Save a Copy of the Original File, 2. Use High-Contrast Layers,
3. Masking with the Magic Wand, 4. Masking with the Color Range
Command, 5. Masking Using the Extract Filter, 6. Feathering a Mask,
7. Feathering Alternatives, 8. Stacking Masks, 9. How to Get Rid
of Fringe Pixels, 10. Masking by Sections
Chapter
6: Scanning Issues (pg. 35)
Skew the Document, Moiré Patterns, Cropping, High-Quality
File Types, Scanning Black and White Negatives and Prints, Grayscale
Scanning, Problems with Artwork, Digital Camera or Scanner?, Conclusion
Chapter
7: Quality Slide Scanning (pg.
40)
The Scanning Process, ICC Profiles, Clean the Scanner Surface, Transparencies
and Negatives, Start with a High Quality Original, Dust and Lint,
Scan at the Right Size
Chapter
8: White Balancing for Accurate Color with Your Digital Camera
(pg. 43)
Light contamination: How white is white?, Color Balancing Issues
Indoors, A Sampling of Color Temperatures, The Life Cycle of a Bulb,
Lumen Maintenance Curve, Fluorescents, Discharge and Cold Light
Sources, How Do You Know When White Is White?, Problem Lighting
Situations, Night shots, About White Cards, The True Meaning of
the Term “White Balance,” Conclusion
Chapter
9: How to Create Textures in Photoshop: Part 1 (pg.
50)
Working with Geometry, Detail Level, Simple Shapes and Primitives,
The Use of Different Materials, Using Software to Create Textures,
The Reflective Quality of Objects, About Shaders, Other Controls,
Texture Maps, Procedural Maps, Bitmaps, and Bump Maps, Combining
Textures, Conclusion, References
Chapter
10: How to Create Textures in Photoshop: Part 2 (pg.
57)
Create Textures with Plug-Ins, How to Create Star Fields for Space
Scenes, How to Create a Tileable Texture in Photoshop, Creating
Textures with Paint, A Cautionary Note, Conclusion, References
Chapter
11: How to Photograph Art and Flat Copy (pg. 67)
The Importance of a Solid Camera Support, Photographing Art with
a Tripod, About Lighting, Lenses, Film, Light Meters, Digital Cameras,
Shooting Art Outside, Inexpensive Tungsten Lighting, Photograph
Art on the Wall, About Backgrounds, Glare Issues, About Dust and
Lint, Exposure & Vibration Issues, Flat Copy with a Digital
Camera, Conclusion
Chapter
12: 30 Tips for Creating Digital Pictures (pg. 74)
1.Plan Shots in Advance, 2. Compose within a Frame, 3. Remember
the Background, 4. Shoot tight, 5. Squint, 6. Bracketing, 7. Eliminate
Camera Movement, 8. Introducing Blur by Panning, 9. Creating Mood
with Blur, 10. Depth of Field Blur, 11. Shooting for Stock Photography,
12. Natural Light, 13. Shoot Images on Cloudy Days, 14. Shoot at
Sunsrise/Sunset, 15. Unusual Lighting, 16. Shooting Fireworks, 17.
Tabletop Photography Techniques, 18. Studio Backgrounds, 19. Gray
or Black Backgrounds, 20. Problems with Digital Camera Flash, 21.
Studio Flash Techniques, 22. Lighten Shadows with a Reflector, 23.
Use Scrims, 24. Use a Light Tent, 25. About Close-Ups, 26. Flash
Portraits, 27. Other Lighting Issues, 28. Shooting the Unexpected,
29. Keep all your Images, 30. Trust your Gut Feeling
Chapter
13: 12 Printing Tips (pg. 86)
1. RGB to CMYK, 2. Use a Commercial Printer, 3. A Great Color Reference
Guide, 4. Page Layout, 5. About Graphics, 6. Screen vs. Print Resolutions,
7. Quality Fonts, 8. About Bleeds, 9. Crop Marks and Color Scales,
10. About File Formats, 11. Other Considerations, 12. Printing in
Your Home or Office
Chapter
14: Hardware Review: Wacom Intuos 3 (pg. 89)
Included Components, Installation Notes, Tablet Design Changes,
Performance Observations and Issues, Additional Features and Options,
Conclusion, System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
Chapter
15: How to Buy a High Resolution Printer (pg.
92)
Features to Look for in a Printer, Ease of Use, Laser vs. Inkjet,
Pros & Cons of Lasers & Inkjets, Paper Choices, About Inks,
Prices, About Cartridges, Maintenance, Interface Options, Print
Quality and Resolution, Duplex Printing, Postscript, Warranties,
Recommended Printers
Chapter
16: How to Buy a CRT/LCD Monitor (pg. 98)
How a CRT Monitor Works, How a LCD Monitor Works, Differences between
CRT and LCD Monitors, Tips for Buying a CRT Monitor, Tips for Buying
an LCD Monitor, Conclusion
Chapter
17: How to Improve Your Creativity by Going to Art School
(pg. 102)
Drawing and Painting for Beginners, The Victoria College of Art,
Further Study, Lessons of Painting, The Wisdom of the Process, Computers
and Design, Parting Observations
Chapter
18: Resource Guide (pg. 111)
Photography: Copy Stands, Photographing Art with a Tripod, Lenses,
Film, Digital Cameras, Gray Cards, Light Meters, About Dust and
Lint, Special Effects, Computer Color Management, Film Scanners,
Software Programs, Quality Fonts, Drawing Tablets, Recommended Books,
Free Resources, Additional Resources
Dear
Nathan,
I am
writing this letter to express my gratitude to you for the professional
e-book that you have recently published regarding Photoshop. This
was money well spent and to be honest I feel that the information
you have provided in this amazing publication is worth much more
that what I paid for it.
Your
years of experience shine through… from your text to graphics.
You have compiled a ‘user friendly’ guide that I have
already, and will continue to benefit from. The format you have
used is informative but above all else it is extremely easy to follow.
I look
forward to your updates and additional publications that you may
offer in the future.
Yours
truly,
Douglas
King
Victoria, B.C.
Canada
Why
Am I Choosing To Give This Information To You?
Simply
because there is a lot of misinformation out there. Most Photoshop
tutorials only show you how to use the program, rather than how
to use the various tools that support it. Photoshop isn’t
an island. It’s a great program on its own, but it can’t
do everything.
You
Can't Lose With My No-Risk Guilt-Free Guarantee. You Get The
Photoshop Companion, And All Of The Bonuses For The Unbeatable
Low Price Of $29.95
MY
GUARANTEE: If The Photoshop Companion is not everything
I say it is and you're not completely satisfied with it, I
will refund every penny of your money within 60 days,
no questions asked.
That's
not just a guarantee, that's a promise.
For
secure ordering, proceed to the bottom of the page....
Grab
The Photoshop Companion, Image Files And Free Consultation Worth
At Least $455.00 And Learn How To Get The Most Out Of Your Photoshop Images
And Output
Bonus
#1:
12
image files which you can use for your own practice. (worth
at least $300.00).
Bonus
#2:
People say I'm crazy to do
this, but I'm giving away
FREE, a 30 minute consultation with me (worth $125.00)
on any aspect of Photoshop or other image editing program
including hardware
and software issues.
As
an imaging professional, I have only a limited amount of time.
Once my schedule becomes too full, this bonus will disappear.
After that, I'm available for consultations but only at my
going rate of $250.00/Hr.
ACT
NOW
before you miss out on the opportunity....
Bonus
#3:
Complete
access to a protected updates page, detailing new advances,
changes to hardware/software, special offers and more (FREE)
If ordering
online is a new experience for you, click
here to watch a video on the subject.
Click
Here To Order And Download Now
- Only $29.95 -
Important
Security Note: When you click on the the above button,
the order form on the next page will look like this:
Sign
up below and receive absolutely FREE, a sample chapter from my ebook.
In addition,
you'll be subscribed to my newsletter. Each issue with discuss a
benefit of using Photoshop and/or a supporting device and will offer
tips on how you can improve your images.
Just type
in your name and email address below and I'll send it to you immediately.
It only
takes a few seconds... and the best part is it's a PDF document
that can be read on both Mac's and PC's.
Home
FAQ
Resources
BLOG
Contact
