Photoshop course overview

This course explains how to create modern graphic designs for print, web, photography using Adobe Photoshop. After completing this course you would be able to create designs in Photoshop yourself.
The complete course is hands-on based. Few practical Photoshop projects at the end of the course will ensure that you can create designs for websites, photography and print.

Goal oriented approach

The aim of this course is to teach Adobe Photoshop from beginner to advanced level and also create projects for your portfolio. If you have a project or an idea that you wanted to create using Adobe Photoshop then present that idea during the course and our trainers will help you to work on your own project.

Adobe ACA Qualification

This course also prepare you for Adobe ACA certification in Photoshop.

Learn from Photoshop graphic designers

DotPeak’s consultants have been creating Photoshop based designs for different businesses. Those consultants write and teach our Photoshop training courses, so their experience directly informs course content.

Who is this Photoshop training for?

This course is for you if you are interested in creating designs using Photoshop.
Our training courses are classroom based, instructor-led and help you learn advanced Adobe Photoshop techniques.

Requirements for Photoshop training

This course is for complete beginners but some previous experience of any graphic design software would be helpful.

Course contents

Part 1: Photoshop for Beginners

Introduction

• What is Photoshop?
• Capabilities of Photoshop
• Configuring the Workspace
• The Screen Layout
• Navigation and Navigation Shortcuts
• New Photoshop File Configuration
• Resolution and Colour Modes
• Panels – History, Info, Navigator, Etc

Selections

• Selections Explained
• Use of Selections
• Using the Marquee Tool
• Using the Lasso Tool
• Using the Magic Wand
• Using the Quick Selection Tool
• Adding to or Subtracting from Selections
• Saving Selections
• Loading Selections
• Cropping and Rotating the Selection

Image Enhancement and Editing

• Enhancing Tone Range with Levels
• Enhancing Contrast with Curves
• Using Clone Stamp and Heal Tools
• Adjusting Shadow and Highlight
• Fixing Colour with Variations
• Controlling Hue and Saturation
• Using Filters to Blur and Sharpen
• Utilising Custom Colours
• Using Brush Tool
• Using Pencil Tool
• Creating and Using New Brushes
• Creating Custom Brushes
• Digital Darkroom Techniques
• Gradients
• Editing Gradients

It’s All About Layers

• Concept of Layers
• Layers and Selections Explained
• Background Layer
• The Transform Commands
• Locking Layers
• Merging Layers
• Linking Layers
• Opacity and Fill
• Blending Modes
• Text Layers
• Adjustment Layers
• Special Effects
• Masking on Photoshop

Save Your File

• Canvas Size vs. Image Size
• Adjusting Resolution
• File Formats – PSD, JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, etc
• Save for Web and Devices - Image Optimisation

Part 2: Path to be a Photoshop Master

Photoshop Environment Management

• Presets for Tools
• Configuring Preferences
• Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
• Creating, Loading and Customising Actions
• Batch Processing
• Managing Colour Settings
• What are ICC Profiles?
• Image Calibration

Advanced Painting and Image Enhancement

• Correcting Skin Tones
• Using LAB Mode to Sharpen Images
• Converting to Grayscale
• Photo Filters
• The Refine Edge Window in CS5
• Painting with the Mixer Brush
• The Calculations Command
• Using Smart Filters
• Using Liquify
• Lighting Effects and Filters
• 3D Controls
• Using Content-aware in CS5

Image Calibration

• Creating Panoramic Images
• Vanishing Point Window
• Camera Raw Format
• HDR Images

Advanced Layer Composition

• Replacing Colours and Colour Range
• Using the Pen Tool
• Masking Techniques
• Blending Mode Techniques
• Paths and Types
• Using Spot Colour Channels
• Clipping Groups
• Making Stereoscopic Images
• Using Layer Comps
• CS5 Masking Techniques

Outputting Features of Photoshop

• Creating Animations with Photoshop
• Saving Animation as GIF File for Web
• The Slice Tools
• Printing from Photoshop
• Productive Workflow
• Merging Images Together
• Animation and Video Layers
• Web Design Tools and Techniques
• Smart Objects
• 3D Layers
• Integrating Photoshop with Illustrator and InDesign
• Vector Layers
• Colour Management and Print

Adobe Certified Associate Exam

• Preparation
• Expectations
• Exams
• Pass or Fail

 Projects in Photoshop

Project 1: Create a glossy web 2.0 style icon

Project 2: Build an email newsletter design

Project 3: Using Adobe Photoshop create a design concept that can be used for an HTML email newsletter

Project 4: Digital Make up of a Photo

Learn Retouching and Repairing to perform a facial make up. This project involves advanced masking, removing wrinkles, creating definition of eye to beautify a Face in glamours style

Project 5: Matte painting

Create a digital painting

Project 6: Build a portfolio website design template

Project 7: Create a Greeting Card for Christmas and New Year