| So you've gotten your brand new digital | | | | |
| camera, and you're ready to get out and take | | | | The .tif or .tiff was frequently used with |
| some pictures. But what's the next step? | | | | early scanners, and will preserve the |
| Well, getting some form of AdobeÂ(R) | | | | majority of the quality, but it saves large |
| Photoshop (preferably Elements 3, or CS 2) is | | | | files and are best used if submitting them to |
| a great step in the right direction. Once you | | | | a publisher or a printer. |
| have the program installed, it wouldn't hurt | | | | |
| to pick up a Photoshop Tutorial for it. | | | | The .bmp, or a bitmap, is a WindowsÂ(R) |
| | | | file that creates good photos, but still |
| The Photoshop Tutorial will help you to | | | | creates a large file. |
| understand what the program is capable of, | | | | |
| and how you can utilize its tools to their | | | | The .pdf is an Adobe AcrobatÂ(R) file, |
| full capacity. What may not be answered, | | | | and locks images and texts so that they can't |
| though, is which format it uses and saves in, | | | | be further manipulated. If you want to create |
| and what advantages and disadvantages there | | | | files like these, you'll probably need to buy |
| are to the different file formats. | | | | the full version of Adobe Acrobat. |
| | | | |
| Photoshop has the ability to open and save | | | | Web Use: |
| several different types of files, but more | | | | |
| importantly, you should be aware of why these | | | | The best file formats for Web use would, of |
| types of files exist and how to use them to | | | | course, need to be small file sizes. Many |
| your best advantage. It is vital to know | | | | times, though, the compression takes out some |
| about the different types of files while you | | | | of the range of color and the vibrancy of the |
| learn Photoshop. There are three basic | | | | photo. |
| things that concern file format, which will | | | | |
| determine how you should save your file: | | | | Joint Photographic Experts Group - .jpg or |
| quality of image, layering, and web use. | | | | .jpeg is probably the most popular Web form, |
| | | | because it compresses the file to a small |
| Quality of the Image: | | | | size, but still allows for the display of |
| | | | millions of colors. Photoshop give you the |
| When you're taking your photos, you'll want | | | | ability to choose how compressed you want the |
| to use the highest pixel setting possible | | | | image to be, and you'll want to play around |
| that your camera provides. For instance, if | | | | with Adobe Image Ready until you've found a |
| you have a 5.1 megapixel camera, then you | | | | small file size that doesn't seem to lose any |
| should use that setting to capture your | | | | of the color and subtleties in the photo. |
| images-the higher the pixilation, the greater | | | | |
| the quality. The thing to remember, though, | | | | Portable Network Graphics or .png is a |
| is that the higher the quality, the larger | | | | recently developed format that's becoming |
| the file. You do have the ability to change | | | | popular for Web use. It compresses the files |
| the size of the file straight from the | | | | differently than .jpg does, but it leaves |
| camera, and should consult your manual if | | | | better quality photos. It has the capability |
| this is something you'd like to do. | | | | to maintain millions of colors and |
| | | | transparencies, but still keep the file size |
| It's best to take your photos in as a raw | | | | relatively small. If you're on a PC, though, |
| image, and then convert to something smaller | | | | bear in mind that Internet Explorer doesn't |
| later, because you'll have the best ability | | | | support it. |
| to manipulate the image when it's the largest | | | | |
| it can be. Once you've taken the photo, and | | | | Graphics Interchange format or.gif is the |
| imported it onto your computer, it can import | | | | other popular Web form, but it's not great |
| as a .jpeg or .jpg, or as a raw image. It's | | | | for photos. It's better for graphics and |
| best to save the raw image, because you'll | | | | illustrations because it loads quickly and |
| lose some of the quality with the .jpg. | | | | has the capacity for animation and |
| | | | transparent color. |
| Layering: | | | | |
| | | | This should be a helpful guideline to get you |
| Once you have the photo in your computer, the | | | | started in the digital photography and |
| photo will usually open using your default | | | | manipulation world. Allow yourself the time |
| program, so you'll need to open Photoshop and | | | | to explore all the possibilities of current |
| then open the image. You'll then have the | | | | programs and settings on your camera. |
| ability to do all of your resizing, layering, | | | | Learning computer basics in the various photo |
| and manipulation in the program itself. | | | | editing programs can be a lot of hard work. |
| | | | If you want to be able to master everything |
| If you save the image directly in Photoshop, | | | | immediately, you'll only end up being |
| it will save it as a .psd, .pdd, or .eps | | | | frustrated. |
| file. These formats will keep the file large | | | | |
| and preserve all the layers, so keep that in | | | | Adobe, Photoshop, and Acrobat are registered |
| mind when saving. If you're going to rework | | | | trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in |
| the image at a later date, it's best to save | | | | the U.S. and/or other countries. Windows is a |
| in this mode. If not, then you have some | | | | registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation |
| other choices. | | | | in the U.S. and/or other countries. |