Layers Homework

In Photoshop, the layers palette comes up by default. They allow you to manipulate separate components of an image to make one picture. They are stacked, and could be described like having transparent pieces of paper, laid on top of each other to make one image.
One way to create a new layer is to use the layer menu bar. You should always name your layers as you make them, as with some images you can be using hundreds of layers, and it will make life a lot easier for you. You can also change the colour of the layer to help identify it. To change the name of the layer, double click on the name.
Another way to create a new layer is by creating text. You don’t even have to name this type of layer, because it will call itself whatever you have written!
The little eye in the corner of each layer lets you know if it is visible or not (sometimes you may want to work without other bits and pieces getting in the way).
You can also change the order of the layers by dragging them up and down in the palette.
Layers are very important when you are using most tools in Photoshop. For example, if you are trying to use the magic wand, and it isn’t working, more often than not you will just be on the wrong layer.

This first image (although it may be hard to see because I was having fun with filters) has the layers in the ‘right’ order. Basically, background in the very back, the text fully visible, the shadow is behind the figure, and the spot is behind the shadow.



This next image has obvious layer order problems. By putting the background in the very front nothing else can be seen at all. I wanted this really obvious example to illustrate home important basic layer order can be.



In the last image, I have moved the text so that it would be clearer where it sits between the other layers. I have moved the text to the top layer, and put the shadow as the second top (over the spot and the figure). To fix up this image, you would need to move the circle just over the background, and move the shadow back behind the figure.

Scan Homework

1. How to scan: A very basic guide to my home scanner
Put the magazine picture face down on the scanner
Open Photoshop
File  Import  Cannon scanner
Go to the advanced options where you can change the dpi, color mode and turn Descreen on and off (among other things)
Click the preview button and make sure the picture is showing what you want
Click scan
Save the image as a .psd

Notes from class on tips before scanning:
-Have an idea of what the scan is going to be used for. This will determine the resolution you use. E.g. If you are only scanning an image for your blog, scan at 70-80dpi.
- Use Gloss images over Matt.
- Group similar images together when scanning. E.g. Dark images, magazine scans, fabrics together etc. This helps to determine resolution and colour mode and insures consistency within your scans.
- Line Drawings (DDS) make sure all your lines join. This will help you colour and fill images in Photoshop without having to correct the image after the scan.
- Make sure the scanner is clean.
- Always keep an original of your scan just like a photo negative.
- Always save scans as a .psd (photoshop file) these files never loose clarity.
- Always save a new copy of the scan when you want to use it in a presentation or altering the image in Photoshop.
- Watch out for moiré effect and use ‘descreen’ where necessary.
REMEMBER:
Great images are great from the moment they are captured be it on a camera or scanner. It is always better to start with a GREAT image than trying to alter a good one in Photoshop.


2. The descreen selection reduces Moire (pattern that are often unintentionally created from the glair of magazine picture). The descreen filter should not be used when scanning real photographs. Descreening is important as Moire patterns dramatically reduce the quality of the images you are scanning. The two photos below show the difference between my scanners’ descreen filter. Looking below, the difference is subtle, but first photo (descreen ON) is clearer and brighter. If you click on the images so they blow up to full size, the difference is more visible.





3. Resolution
Before scanning an image, taking a photo, or creating a new file in Photoshop the required resolution and image mode (RGB, CMYK, Gray scale) should be determined.

300 dpi is best for commercial printing of books, glossy magazines and brochures
150-200 dpi is best for laser and inkjet printers (home/office printers), however you should make a test print to clarify the best resolution for you printer
72-96 dpi is best for e-mail attachments, the web, PowerPoint and multimedia
We should use 360 dpi as a general rule

The following three images are 72 dpi, 150dpi and 360dpi (in that order)





Major changes to resolution after you have started may result in loss of detail and colour
The larger the dpi the better the quality of the shot


4. The scan from my illustration class was scanned at 360dpi. I chose to scan at the best quality so that I could work with it in Photoshop. However, if I was scanning it just for this blog, or for any web page, I would have scanned it at 72 dpi. This is the same for the fabric scan. Given the option, the colour mode for the fashion illustration would have been a Bitmap (since it is a black and white line drawing). However, my scanner did not give me this option so instead it is in RBG. The colour mode for the fabric scan is RGB.

First Post! Homework

Homework

Find two interesting fashion blogs to follow and explain why you have chosen them.

Style Rookie – Tavi Gevinson

I’m probably a bit late in stepping onto the Tavi wagon (I first heard about her a couple of months ago through my most stylish friend). Since then I have been occasionally reading her blog and becoming more and more addicted. I love the way she writes, and have to constantly remind myself that the author is six years younger than I am. The way she writes is quite quirky and, I would say cute, but that sounds condescending to someone who knows infinitely more about fashion than I do.

I think Tavi has a good mix of pictures, video and text. I also like the fact that she doesn’t restrict herself to just talking about fashion (although ‘Style Rookie’ is primarily a fashion blog), sometimes talking about what she is up to, or even just concentrating on the photography of a shoot, rather than just the clothing.

So, I can’t actually follow Tavi, because she is too popular and already has the maximum 10000 followers, so I’m just going to pretend for now…

http://tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com/


Kingdom of Style – Michelle and Marie

I have been following Kingdom of Style for years and still check it nearly every day. This fashion blog is run by ‘Queen’ Michelle and Marie. I love this blog because the two of them are so different. Although they sign each post right at the bottom, usually from the first sentence (and immediately if there are pictures, which there usually are) you can tell exactly who is writing. I absolutely love Michelle’s sense of style. She’s really edgy, but isn’t afraid to throw in some girly frills. She also models her outfits whenever she gets something new and posts the pictures, which I really admire. Marie is a little bit different, and not exactly my cup of tea, but I think the balance makes the blog all the more interesting.

Kingdom of Style has a really good mix of mostly fashion, music, jewelry… just about anything actually (including bitching about their partners, which always adds a bit of light humor). It is my all time favourite fashion blog and I am unashamed to say I am totally addicted to it!