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