PSE Special Session Topics to be covered Specials Tips and Tricks More simple use of layers by erasing the effect on the higher layer Fixing Converging Verticals: Distort/transform for converging verticals and straightening things Portraits: Smoothing Facial Features Changing Backgrounds: Simplified Approach

Special Tips and Tricks More Simple Use of Layers Space bar at any time allows you to Pan the image Bracket Keys: control Cursor or Brush size Left/Right Arrow keys: controls any drop down slider “Arrange” icon: centers single image or displays multiple open images Hide selection ants: CTL+H, Restore selection ants: CTL+H. Remember this does not deselect as does Select/Deselect Select/Feather: enter strength of feathering Select/Refine Edge: set smoothness, feathering, and expand or contract the selection Remove selection: Select/Deselect Ctl+J: Copies a selection to its own layer (same as copy/paste) Save selection: save a selection in order to Re-Select when needed. Selection/Save Selection then Select/Load Selection Reset Tools: remember to reset tools periodically Opacity: Layer Opacity and certain tools have an Opacity property To select multiple areas: use shift key or click the “Add To” property of the Selection Tool Ctl+Alt+Shift+E (for MAC: Cmd+Option+Shift+E): generales a composite Layer - integrates layer edits into a single layer for simplification but preserves the edit layer info Remember to set “Zoom with Scroll Wheel” in Edit/Preferences/General When using the Magnifying Glass to zoom in or out, use right click to “Fit On Screen” Distort/transform, to move bounding box on both sides: Alt+Ctl+shift X key: Flips Foreground/Background colors in color swatch squares File place, place in selected area More Simple Use of Layers This approach somewhat violates the rule of preserving the base background layer Basic Approach Duplicate the Background layer (ie. create a Background Copy) Turn off the Background Copy Edit Background layer: blur, sharpen, levels, Hue/saturation, color, etc. Turn on the Background Copy Erase on the background copy where you desire the Edit effect to show This approach is simpler then the detail contained in the other appendices which preserves the background layer and uses the “Create Clipping Mask”

Fixing Converging Verticals The idea here is to straighten verticals when shooting tall objects from the ground Folder: Perspective Open image and duplicate background Image/Transform/Distort Drag upper corners on each side to straighten either side of the image Control + alt + shift will move left and right boundaries simultaneously Get rid of annoyances near the ground, by dragging the center toggle at the bottom of the bounding box downward While we are here, practice enhancing the sky for this cathedral. Portraits: Smoothing Facial Features Duplicate background layer Momentarily turn off background copy (new layer) and select Background (base) layer Select Filter/Blur/Gaussian blur (radius between 3-7, based on skin severity) Now, turn on the duplicated Background Copy layer (note blurness disappears) Select the Eraser tool, with 50% opacity Select a brush size about eye pupil size or what ever On the Background Copy layer (upper layer), erase portions of this layer where you desire smooth facial features (allows the effect created in the bottom layer to come through Flatten layers and save Remember this technique can be used for any desired enhancement Such as exposure, levels, color, etc. by editing the bottom Background (base) layer

create and rename the layer if desired Changing Backgrounds: Simplified Approach Open up your image, and double-click on the background to change to Layer create and rename the layer if desired Select your object as desired, with the proper feathering and inverse if required Edit/cut Create additional space around image if desired Resize Canvas: use inches, %, or whatever Use the Move tool to position and or orient the object Create new blank layer: Layer/New/Layer. Name it if you wish Drag new layer below the subject layer Select desired background color in foreground swatch, use eyedropper if you desire to sample an existing color (Make sure the blank layer is selected, select Paint Bucket tool and click on image Add interest to the background by using the Gradient tool Create new blank layer: Layer/New/Layer Select Black to foreground in color swatch Select Gradient tool, use linear “Foreground to Transparent” (top role, 2nd box) Drag out a line where you desire the effect to start (bottom and/or top) Adjust layer opacity You can add to the gradient effect where needed with the Brush tool Try other gradient Options in the gradient picker – create new blank layer first