Photoshop Class

I attended a Photoshop conference last Friday. Had a really great time and learned a ton of great tips. Even more important than the pointers were the explanations of why certain steps were taken. I left the session with a far greater understanding of the use of channels and color.

For example. To change a picture to black and white, I've always simply changed it's color mode to greyscale. Dan Wolfe suggested converting the mode to LAB color which, similar to how RGB converts an image to R(ed), G(reen) and B(lue) channels, seperates the image into 3 channels, L(ightness), A and B. L(ightness) essentially is the detail while A and B each carry half of the color information. By choosing the Lightness channel, you maintain improved detail and completely eliminate 100% of the color, since LAB seperates detail (Light) info from color (A and B) info.

The reason for this is that Photoshop "sees" the image as a binary function and not in color, our eyes create the color, Photoshop sees in shades of grey, 256 of them, which it combines to project particular combinations that result in color to your eyes.

Another tip was to always view the image at 100%. This maintains a 1 to 1 pixel ratio, thus ensuring you seeing each pixel purely.

I really could go on, but it was a 7 hour class, and I'm sure I'm neither up for reporting it all, nor you reading it all. Maybe we should create a Photoshop database somewhere on the shared drive, or start an offshoot blog. Does this seem like a good idea to anyone? I'm already creating a binder of articles and materials. But if we could digitize it, we could scan materials and keep them archived there.

I guess if I could summarize the event, it's that if you understand what you need to do with a picture, or what's wrong with it, as well as your future output, before you begin the Photoshop process, your efforts will be better rewarded. Also, layers, curves, colors, unsharp mask, a cool way to warp an object onto another, seamlessly, over folds and wrinkles in a shirt. The entire event was well worth the trip. It's obvious that the program is all about "doing", so practice, practice, practice. Maybe a contest for TGG Photoshop users?

Finally got to see 300 tonight. Well worth my matinee ticket.