In this digital photography age, you often hear mention of the 'digital darkroom' - but what is it? Well, this is the application of photo editing software to adjust photographs, after they have been saved to a computer. Many of the techniques previously used within traditional film darkrooms are applied digitally in today's darkrooms. Adobe Photoshop is probably the best known editing program, widely used by both professional and keen amateurs when adding a touch of creativity during post-production. A reliable photography course online will provide some instruction to applying such techniques.
Some of the most common Photoshop post-production techniques include mode conversions. Most digital cameras capture photos in RGB format (RGB mode). However, there may be times when you need to change the mode or format of the file for creative effect or to use the photo for four-colour press printing-such as when it is incorporated into a magazine or other document that will be printed on a traditional four-colour printing press.
Let's take these one at a time. First, let's try converting an image into CMYK mode. Most printers require this when submitting a photo to be used in a four-colour press printed job. Just choose 'Image' from the top toolbar. Then 'Mode', then 'CMYK'. Now save the image with a new name or add the letters CMYK to indicate it is saved in this format. Note: You will not see any difference when you view the image on your computer monitor, but this conversion is necessary for four-colour press printing jobs.
Another reason to change the mode is when transforming a full-colour image into black and white. Again, choose 'Image' from the toolbar. Then choose 'Mode', then 'Grayscale'. Click 'Yes' when asked to confirm to discard the colour information in this file. The new black and white image will need to be saved as an RGB file again. So at the toolbar pick 'Image', 'Mode', and finally 'RGB'. Save the image with a new name or add BW to show it is now black and white. If any of this sounds too technical, it really isn't when you start experimenting, and a photography course online will easily guide you through the process.
There may be occasions when you wish to create a two-tone image that is neither black and white or colour. For instance, a sepia toned photograph is created as a two-tone (or duotone) image. The first step to creating a duotone image is to create a grayscale version as in the step above. After you are asked to confirm whether you want to discard the colour information in the file and you've clicked 'Yes', stop. Here is where you make the image duotone.
At the toolbar choose 'Image', 'Mode', and finally 'Duotone'. In the dialog choose 'Type: Duotone' and then use black for ink one and a warm shade of brown for ink two. (Click 'Load' to select the colours you want). Then click OK.
Finally, you need to change the mode to 'RGB' again as you did above for the black and white image. Save the image with a new name or add SEP to the image name to indicate this is a sepia image. You should then have a warm image reminiscent of old photos.
This is just a tiny example of the enhancements possible in PhotoShop. Following a photography course online will open up the range of Photoshop tools and post-production techniques. Whilst Photoshop should not be seen as a tool for "repairing" an image, it does allow you to massively enhance or alter your original photograph, creatively. The only limit is your imagination.
Article Directory : http://www.articlecube.com
