Agricultural and Extension Education
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AEE 526 - Information Technologies in Agricultural and Extension Education |
Module 1:  |
Using Image Editing and
Manipulation Software (2 units) |
Introduction: |
When you
design web pages, powerpoint presentations, newsletters, brochures,
etc. you will be often use photographs. If you are lucky, you may find
some prexisitng photos that are just perfect. However, that is often
not the case. There are times when you may need to lighten a dark
photo, make a photo smaller or larger, write a caption across the
photo, add an artistic special effect, adjust the contrast, or do
something else to a photo. Most computers and digital cameras come with some type of basic photo editing software. These programs may perform basic photo maninupulation tasks but might fall short on the more sophisticated tasks. I typically use Adobe PhotoShop Elements. This program costs $69-$99 and does everything I need. However, if you want the cadillac of photo editing software, you will want Adobe Photoshop. This is the workhorse of the photo imaging professional but cost considerably more than Elements. In the NCSU CALS computer labs the full blown version of Photoshop is found on the computers. There are other programs such at Paint Shop Pro, Picasa, PhotoImpact, Photo Suite, etc. It was a challenge developing this lesson because students could be using a variety of image editing programs. However, this lesson will focus on using Photoshop Elements 6. That is because the program is powerful yet relatively inexpensive; and you can download a trial copy for free. Many of the commands and techniques are similar no matter what program you use. So you may have to utilize something we call "Transfer of Learning" to translate the information in this lesson to whatever program you use. You can dowload a free trial copy of Photoshop Elements 6 from Adobe. You have to register but that only takes a minute or two. However, the download will take some time. You are free to use other image editing programs for this lesson. http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/?sdid=BOOHK&s_kwcid=photoshop%20elements| 1060971222
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Learning
Objectives:  |
 Describe
what Image Editing Software is and who uses it. Identify
the leading image editing software programs. Perform
common photo correction tasks
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| Instructional Activities:  |
Read reviews of the less
expensive image editing programs at the Top 10 Reviews web site. Click
on the read review button to get an overview of the program. Be and
sure to scroll down below the chart and read the information about
image editing programs. Since this module focuses on how to use
Photoshop Elements 6, you might be particularly interested in that
review. One of the reasons we are using Elements 6 is because it is the
highest rated of the less expensive programs, and if you move up to
Photoshop ($626), you will already have a feel for the program. You may enjoy the
British accent in this video
comparison of Elements 5 and 6. However, as you see the differences
in the two programs you will get a good idea of how to use
Elements 6. The video is 20 minutes long. If you want to learn
more about the Guided Edit feature of Elements 6, go to the Elements
Learning Center and watch the Guided Edit video. It is a short
video. It is time to learn
about the editing
tools in Elements 6 (they are basically the same in other image
editing programs). You may be using some of these tools for your
assignment for this module. You should spend some time learning about
these tools. After reading about
the Elements tools, you may want to see a demonstration on how to use
the tools. There is a video on YouTube about how to use Photoshop
(not Elements). However since the programs are so similar and the tool
icons are basically the same, this video will teach you how to use the
tools. This video is 20+ minutes.One of the activities
required for this module is to move an object in one photo to another.
There are several ways to do this. There is an online tutorial
on YouTube that demonstrates one way to do this. How do you get rid of
something you don't want in an image? Several years ago I had a great
shot of a classroom scene but a coke can on a table just detracted
greatly from the photo. So using the clone tool I was able to get rid
of the coke can. The blur tool probably would have worked also. See a video
on how to use the clone tool to clean up an image. There is also another way to
remove something. How do you get rid of redeye?
Even though this video is for Elements 4, it works the same in Elements
6. One of the confusing
things in Elements is that some images may be comprised of several
layers. So you need to understand how layers work; especially if you
want to do something creative. Watch
this video that explains layers. While you may never
try to merge two
nearly identical photos to capitalize on the best of both, you
might find this to be interesting. If you need help in
learning how to do a task in Photoshop Elements, just go to YouTube and do a search for what
you need help with. You will probably find a video that will walk you
through the task.If you want to see
the PowerPoint that I use with my undergraduate students on Photoshop,
it can be downloaded from http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agexed/aee226/photoshop1.ppt
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Lagniappe:  |
Check out this 'fauxtography'. |
Assignments:  |
Open the Module
1 assignment sheet and follow the directions.
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