Photoshop basics

1. Cutline

File>File info - Put your cutline (caption) info here.  Save the photo before you proceed so you will always have the original, with cutline for future use.

2. Adjust brightness/contrast

EASY METHOD:

Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast - Adjust as needed

BETTER METHOD:

Image>Adjustments>Levels

1.  Slide the white slider towards the edge of the graph, until your highlights look good, but not so far that you lose detail in the image. 

2.  Slide black slider towards edge of graph, if it’s not already there.

3.  Move the gray slider will adjust the overall brightness.  If you think the photo looks flat (not enough contrast), try sliding the black a bit more to the right. 

3.  Color Correction:

Image>Adjustments>AutoColor

4. Crop

Select the Crop tool from the toolbar on the left.  Drag a box across the photo in the shape of the crop you want.  If angle is unintentionally crooked, use the edges of the cropping box as a guide to straighten your horizon.

5. Size

Always save the original at the highest available resolution before you size down your image.  You can size down, but you cannot size back up without degrading the quality.

Image> Image Size     For web (10 inches on the longer side @72 ppi)

Soundslides will size down images for you as you import them, but sizing them for web will greatly decrease the processing time.

6.  Sharpen

Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask

Radius: 0.7, Threshold: 4, Amount:100-200

7.  Save

Save a copy of the sized down photo.  DO NOT SAVE OVER YOUR ORIGINAL.

Troubleshooting:

Problem: Image is very dark.

Solution: Image>Adustments>Shadow/Highlight – use slider to adjust amount

Problem: Image is out of focus.

Solution: Increase the amount of sharpening used in step 5.

Problem: AutoColor doesn’t work

Solution: Image>Adjustments>Levels

Find a neutral white or gray point in the photo and click it with the white or gray dropper.