2. PHOTOSHOP
Getting Started
Set up your workspace p.3
Understanding your tools p.4
File Types, Image Size and Resolution p.9
Editing
Adjustments and notes p.10
File Preparation p.12
Additional Links p.13
INDESIGN
Getting Started
Setting up your file p.17
Understanding your tools p.20
Design
Text p.21
Images p.24
File Output p.26
Additional Links p.27
5. WHAT IS PHOTOSHOP
AND WHY DO WE USE IT?
Photoshop is an editing software primarily used to edit
photographs and images.
For your coursework, this is the software that you should primarily
be using as it will enable you to edit your photographs without
damaging the file quality, and allow you to familiarise yourself with
industry standard software.
This chapter provides a step-by-step guide of how to start editing an
image at the most basic level, thinking about technical aspects of
the software. In addition to tutorials in class and the links included,
you should be applying your understanding of the software
independently and researching portraits to develop your existing
ideas and products.
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7. 3
New File
Open Photoshop - you will be welcomed with a similar homepage.
GETTING STARTED
First, you need to create your Workspace.
Click on Window, scroll down
to Workspace and select
Essentials. Your page should
then look like the one below.
8. The Toolbar
Move Tool
Exactly what you’d expect, once you have selected
an object, use this to move it into place.
Marquee Tool
Allows you to make a selection in the shape of a
rectangle or an oval, depending on your selection.
Lasso Tool
Allows you to draw a selection border of whatever
shape. For editing purposes, use the Magentic Lasso.
Object Selection Tool
Finds and automatically selects on object within a
highlighted area of the image.
Crop Tool
Allows you to trim your image and resize its dimensions.
Frame Tool
Creates a placeholder frame for images.
Eyedropper
Allows you to sample colours from images and apply
them elsewhere.
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9. Spot Healing Brush
Removes any marks and blemishes you don’t want to
show within the image.
Colour Replacement Tool
Paints the selected colour over the existing colour.
Clone Stamp
Paints with pixels from one part of an image to another.
History Brush
Restores part of the image to its original state.
Blur Tool
Does what it says on the tin. Use this to blur aspects of
your image.
Dodge, Burn and Sponge
Dodge: Lightens parts of the image.
Burn: Darkens parts of the image
Sponge: Changes the colour saturation
Hand Tool
Use this to move the image around.
Zoom Tool
Zoom in and out to see more of the image details.
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10. File Types, Image Size and Resolution
A basic understanding of the various file types, standard image sizes
and resolutions is key for both print and online content.
File Types
RAW
RAW files are processed directly from the camera’s sensor, and are
typically used by DSLR cameras. They do not use compression and are
lossless, therefore are extremely high-quality. They show more shades of
colour, contrast, exposure etc. and are non-destructive. These file sizes
are typically much larger, and you will need to use software such as
Photoshop to access the files.
TIFF
This is a lossless file format, where the information is stored in layers. It
maintains a high quality of image, and is favoured for print purposes.
I recommend saving your edits as TIFFs, and creating a JPEG copy for
online publication, because you cannot post TIFFs online.
JPEG
Used by most digital cameras and devices as the default format, this is
the most common file format and can be used for both online and print
purposes. Its lossy compression algorith removes minute details that your
eye is unlikely to notice, allowing you to save space. The layers of a JPEG
are flattened, so you can’t edit over the same file several times because
this will weaken the quality of it. Image degradation can be a struggle,
so only ever edit copies of your original JPEG.
Most of you are using phones as devices, therefore your image files will be JPEGs.
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11. Image Size
Common image sizes and ratios of print images are measured in inches.
It is likely that you will use the following dimensions to crop and resize
your images:
4x6 5x7 6x8 8x10
Image Resolution
Image resolution is typically described in PPI, which refers to how many
pixels are displayed per inch of an image.
Higher resolutions mean that there more pixels per inch (PPI), resulting in
more pixel information and creating a high-quality, crisp image. Images
with lower resolutions have fewer pixels, and if those few pixels are too
large (usually when an image is stretched), they can become visible and
extremely pixelated.
Your PPI depends on how large you would like your file size to be and
on its purpose. For example, the resolution of images online is typically
smaller than images you would print for an exhibition.
The image below is being resized. One is for print, the other for social media.
Looking at the preview box, which of these has the higher resolution, and which
has the lowest?
Images on Screen 72ppi
Magazine Quality 300ppi
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12. Resizing the Image
To resize your image, click on Image and scroll
down to Image Size.
Use the size guide on the previous page to set
your width. It is important that this link button is
selected as this will allow your height to change
in proportion to your chosen width.
If you wanted to size your image to 6x4, but one of the dimensions is
wrong, don’t worry - you will fix this with your Crop tool.
You then need to change your Resolution.
The image you are currently editing is the copy of your original. However,
it is still the foundation of your edit. To minimise degradation over time,
keep your resolution at 300 ppi - you can reduce this for web when you
save your final image.
However, if you are starting at a resolution of 72 ppi, do not jump straight
to 300. Increase it slowly in increments of 10. So your first adjustment
becomes 80 ppi and you enter that selection, then to 90, 100, etc. until
you reach 300 ppi.
This seems like a long process, but will be really beneficial for your final product.
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13. File Set Up
I have changed the width of my image to 10 inches, because I want
my final product to be 10x8. The current height is 6.79 and the resolution
is fine at 300 dpi.
To get the right dimensions, I select the Crop tool.
Underneath the top bar, you will find a few boxes that will enable you to
set the Crop Ratio. Here, I have typed 10 in the first box, 8 in the other.
I can now maintain the exact dimensions of the photograph. I then click
the Tick which is further to the right of the boxes shown above, or press
enter, and it will confirm the crop. Now, when I go back to image size, it
is 10x8.
You can crop freehand, without exact ratios, however I recommend you use
them. I also recommend cropping the image before you start the rest of your
editing process.
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14. 10
EDITING
Adjustments
To edit your photographs, move your mouse over to Image -
Adjustments. These are the primary processes you will use as you edit.
Start with your Exposure, either increasing or decreasing it depending on
the image. If you over-expose the image, your highlights (brighter areas)
will be too white and you will lose detail. If you under-expose, the image
won’t be bright enough and you won’t be able to see any of the details.
Only move the top slider and make sure Preview is ticked.
Your Shadows and Highlights will allow you to darken or lighten specific
areas within the image and is a good way to add contrast. I usually do
this instead of adusting the Contrast.
Experiment with these options and familiarise yourself with them before using
any of the brushes. Typically, these edits are made before using any of the
tools. If you do choose to use brushes afterwards, zoom in on the image to 100%
so you can use them accurately.
16. 12
FILE PREPARATION AND OUTPUT
Before you save your file, make sure that your file size is as it should be
(width/height/resolution).
Saving is straightforward, but make sure you save it in a clear folder and
name it appropriately.
First, save it as TIFF - this retains the quality and prevents image
degradation. Another dialogue box will open up - press OK.
Now you have your image, save another copy as a JPEG (as highlighted
in light blue). This will enable you to upload it onto your blog and website.
When you click ‘Save’, another dialogue box will open. Drag it to the
right and aim for 1.5MB at a minimum if your file is quite small. If it is higher,
that’s ok, and actually more ideal.
17. 13
Additional tutorials can be found using Adobe, YouTube and Google
Additional Links and Research
Links:
• Adobe Tutorials
https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/photoshop/tutorials.html
• Photoshop, Beginner Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyR_uYsRdPs&list=PLgGb-
WId6zgaVmYg1IFj9GUtJC17ZZV-jJ
• The Bookmarkable Photoshop Tutorial for Beginners
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-use-photoshop
• Six Things You Can’t Fix in Photoshop
https://shutterfinger.typepad.com/shutterfinger/2011/03/six-
things-you-cant-fix-in-photoshop.html
Research:
• Portrait Photographers
• Camera Skills
19. 15
WHAT IS INDESIGN
AND WHY DO WE USE IT?
InDesign allows you to design and publish high-quality documents
across a full spectrum of digital and print media.
For your coursework, this will enable you to gain a better insight into
the types of software and content created within the Media industry,
and allow you to present your ideas creatively as you apply media
language to develop your magazine.
Throughout this chapter, you will be shown a step-by-step guide
of how to start designing your document at the most basic level,
thinking about the technical aspects of the software. You will also
find useful links that may help add to your research and your overall
understanding of the software.
21. Select ‘Print’ to find your print page options.
Select ‘More Presets’ to open a wider range of page formats.
Select ‘Print’ to find your print page options.
New Document
Open InDesign - you will be welcomed with a similar homepage.
GETTING STARTED
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22. If you are decide to use the presets, you will most likely use the A4 or
Tabloid preset.
If you would like to use an alternative
page size, research various real-life
story magazines and their sizings, as
this will influence your own design and
projected prices.
Input your width and height in mm, as
highlighted on the right-hand column.
Ensure the rest of the details are similar
to those shown here. You can then scroll
down and select Create.
Voilà!
You have just created your first InDesign
document.
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23. Welcome to your InDesign document.
Page 1 is your front page. To add more, move your mouse
over to the right of your screen. Look for the icons highlighted.
The middle icon refers to your Pages.
Using the Shift key, click on the two
double pages and drag below Page 1.
Pages 2 - 3 will be your first spread.
You can also right click and select Insert
Pages to choose how many pages you’d
like to add and after what page these
will be added.
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24. The Toolbar
I have highlighted all of the icons you need to know and can use during your
design. If they are not highlighted, ignore them.
Selection Tool
Does what it says on the box. Click on this to
select objects.
Type Tool
Again, a trustworthy title. Click on this to add
text toW your document.
Line Tool
Should you wish to draw a line, select this tool.
Shape Tool
You can use this tool to create different shapes.
Click and hold for the drop-down list.
Frame Tool
Used to place images, you can use this for
sharp or round frames.
Zoom Tool
Another reliable title - use this to zoom in.
Stroke and Fill
Use these to change the fill and line colours of
any objects or pieces of text.
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25. 21
Introducing Text
Text is a crucial part of your project. Not only do you need to know how
to add text to your document, but how to format it for your magazine.
Select your Type tool and with your cursor, draw a text box.
Start to type your text.
To format your text, highlight the
words you wish to change and select
the Properties tool. Use the guide on
the following page to help you work
out how you can alter your text and
to figure out your preferred design.
I recommend that you first start to think
about your text and the type of content
you want to add to your document.
Spend some time familiarising yourself
with the text properties and the various
changes you can make before you invest
time in designing the format alongside
your images.
DESIGN
26. Change the colour of your font
Change the colour of your outline
Change your Font Type
Change your Font Style:
regular
bold
italic
bold or italic
Font Size
Change Text Alignment
Bullet Points
Underline Font
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Text Properties
27. 23
However, if you want to add a new text box or create columns, one of
your solutions may have been to create a new text box and carry on
writing, as I have done above.
There is a simpler solution. Click on the red box, then click and drag
your cursor to create a new textbox. This allows your text to flow
throughout your columns and each box will respond to any changes.
If this is unclear, just ask and I can clarify this for you in more detail.
You may also find that at times, your
text is hyphenated as it runs across more
than one line. There’s nothing wrong with
hyphenated text, but your final product
won’t have as clean a finish.
To prevent this from happening is to
go to Type, click Paragraph and the
following box will pop up. Make sure your
Hyphenate box is not ticked.
Type
28. 24
Introducing Images
Your photography is the other crucial aspect of your magazine. This
will link your ideas and show off your creativity. Understanding how to
effectively introduce them to your page is key, especially as it’s not just
‘copy and paste’.
When you add an image, you need to make sure that you Place it.
If you do not do this, and simply paste it, your images won’t necessarily
show up on your exported PDF or printed file.
When you click on Place, your documents
will open up and you can select the image
you wish to place.
Then click and drag your cursor to size the
image.
You can also right click to copy your
photograph and Paste in Place.
If your image looks slightly blurry or pixelated when you add it to your
document, right click and select Display Performance, and then click
High Quality Display. This should work, but if it doesn’t, ask for help.
29. Once your image has been placed, there a few
things to know.
You have two outlines: the blue outline and the
orange.
Blue
This acts as the main frame for the image and allows
you to select the whole image, move and resize it as
you wish. You can also use this to crop the image if
you have excess surrounding the image.
Orange
This is the image itself. If you double click on the
image using the select tool, you can move this within
its frame. Anything not in the frame is chopped off, as
shown on the left.
To resize your image, use Ctrl+Shift and then drag the corners of your
image to decrease or increase its size. This keeps its proportions the same
and prevents you from distorting the image.
You do not need to worry about the Properties of your photographs. These will
previously have been edited using Photoshop.
Your photograph will typically be within a square or rectangular frame,
depending on the dimensions of the image. However, if you would like
to use an alternative shape, you can use the Frame Tool.
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30. Select whichever frame you would like and draw your box/circle etc.
The X in the middle of the frames show you that you need to Place an
image inside.
Select the frame, right click and Paste in Place, as shown P.9.
These frames can be helpful when you first draft your design, as you can plot
where you might want your images to be, as well as your captions and the
rest of your text, but you do not need to use these. If you are having difficulty
with your planning or you aren’t sure how best to format your images, use your
magazine research to help you...
File Preparation and Output
Save your file in the relevant folder and label it clearly as normal.
Once you have proof-read your work, checked for errors and corrected
any concerns, you need to Export your final document by clicking on File
and scrolling down, or using Ctrl+E. Then select High Quality Print - Save
As.
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31. Additional tutorials can be found using Adobe, YouTube and Google
Additional Links and Research
Links:
• Adobe Tutorials
https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/tutorials.html
• InDesign, Beginner Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXRT3dHu6_o
• A-Z of InDesign: Tips, Tricks and Hacks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7MIKi663ok
• Five Speedy Tips and Tricks
https://www.canto.com/blog/indesign-tips-tricks/
Research:
• Typography
• Magazine Design and Formats
• Print vs. Online Formats
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33. WHAT IS INDESIGN
AND WHY DO WE USE IT?
Premiere Pro is used for a range of video projects as it enables you
to produce content using both still and moving images, as well as
sound.
For your coursework, this will enable you to gain a better insight into
the types of software and content created within the Media industry,
and allow you to experiment with production.
Throughout this chapter, you will be shown a step-by-step guide of
how to add media and the primary features of the software. Use
these basic elements in addition to the linked tutorials to help you
develop your skills further as you familiarise yourself with industry
standard software.
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35. 31
New Project
Open Premiere - you will be welcomed with a similar homepage.
GETTING STARTED
Select New Project and ensure you
name the project appropriately
in the top bar, before using the
Browse button to find the relevant
folder.
Then select OK to save.
36. 32
The Panels
Your workspace is divided into four panels, each with a different role.
Source Monitor
Your source is your media file. When you select on the file, whether it’s
from your timeline or media browser, you can use this to play the entire
file before deciding whether you want to include it and whether there
are any aspects that you want to remvoe.
Media Browser
This allows you to import the media you need to develop your video and
to organise your files..
TOP TIP
When you download your files on
your computer, review each clip and
provide them with clear names, so
that it’s easier for you to select the
relevant files.
37. 33
Timeline
You use the timeline to sequence your files and to make the necessary
edits to your video. Any changes made will be done from here, whether
you need to trim files or rearrange the order.
Program Monitor
The playhead is synchronized with the playhead in the Timeline panel
below, which means that it responds to any changes you have made
and enables you to preview your sequence.
38. 34
Creating your Project
Before you can start editing your sequence, you need to import your
media files. Click on the Media Browser tab to begin and scroll to find
your files. When you select your files from the left hand side, your content
will appear on the right.
If you double click a file, you can see the thumbnail in the Source Monitor
and then just press Play to watch.
At this point, you’re yet to
import the files. You can choose
to do this with a singular file or
multiple - if you want to choose
multiple files, click on a file, hold
the shift key and press the down
arrow until you reach your final
file. Right click on any of the files
and select Import.
39. 35
Once your files have been imported, you can start to build your sequence.
Select the file you want to use and simply drag it to your timeline.
You can move these around as you wish by dragging them around or
by selecting them and pressing backspace. If you delete a file between
clips, it will leave a gap within the sequence. To prevent this, select the
clip and press Shift and Delete.
The audio from your video file will also be added when you drag a clip
to your sequence. You can lock either the audio or the video sequence
and edit the unlocked version without interfering with the other.
To edit your sequence effectively, you need to now how to use the tools
available to trim and edit your files. The following page will give you a
clearer overview of the options available and how you can use these to
create a cohesive and interesting final product.
40. 36
Your Tools
The following tools can be seen on the bottom of both your Source
Monitor and Program Monitor. Use the Notes below during the tutorial to
add to your understanding.
Step Back, Play, Step Forward
Use this to step back or forward a frame and preview the
files you would like to use.
Mark In and Mark Out
If you drag the blue marker on the timings above the play
bar, you can stop it at specific points in the file. If you use
these tools, you can be more selective of what parts of the
file you want to add to your sequence.
Go to Mark
This allows you to go to straight to the Mark you created
previously.
NOTES
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41. 37
These tools can be found on the left of your Timeline.
I have highlighted the tools you will be most likely to use throughout
your production process.
Selection Tool
This allows you to select files and move them around.
Razor Tool
This allows you to slice your videos on your timeline and
split them into multiple files. It’s a good way to separate or
trim to your files.
Hand Tool
If you hold your click and hold, you can also find the zoom.
Text Tool
If you want to add text, you can use this.
NOTES
_________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________
______________________________ ___________________________
_________________________________________________________
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42. 38
Panels
Your panels allow you to make a wide range of adjustments to your
video piece. Below is a brief overview of the options you have for your
editing.
As we go through them in class, I recommend you use your Notes page and
experiment with the tools to familiarise yourself fully with the software.
Editing
You can make a range
of changes within
the Editing panel,
including changing
the positioning and
scale of your video
file. You can also
adjust the speed of
your videos.
Colour
Colour adjustments can help create a more
coherent style throughout your video, especially
if you have filmed at different times of day and
under different lighting.
Use the Adobe tutorials to help you understand
how to effectively make adjustments to your
shadows and highlights, contrast and colour
balance.
43. 39
Effects
Audio and video transitions are likely to
be two of the tabs you explore to help
you transition smoothly between clips,
which will help prevent your video from
being jarring and awkward.
You can also explore the presets to see
how they help develop your files further.
Though they can be extremely helpful
and really amp up the quality of your
final product, sometimes less is more so
really consider whether certain effects
are actually necessary.
Audio
The audio mixers allow
you to change audio
levels, track volumes, and
reduce noise and reverb
during your production
process. This can be
especially helpful if you’d
like to add some original
audio from your clips.
45. Additional tutorials can be found using Adobe, YouTube and Google
Additional Links and Research
Links:
• Adobe Tutorials
https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/premiere-pro/tutorials.html
• Premiere Pro Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfPIp-G1bpY&list=PLgGb-
WId6zgaUxorxLYPk_fuPV9btrV-h3
• 10 of the best Adobe Premiere Pro Tips
https://www.creativebloq.com/features/adobe-premiere-pro-
tips
Research:
• Storyboarding and Sequencing
• Video Transitions
• Video Shots
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