In this process and production lesson we were focussing on some basic features which need to be acquired to produce professional level (Adobe) photoshop and illustrator edited designs.
This was suggested as its important that during thorough developments and studio work- that each and every element used is correctly edited and formatted in order to be used as intended. For example digital vs print images, and linked images between software, and as evidenced later in this blog post- using vector and rasterised images in the same composition.
The above screenshots evidence the types of "non destructive" editing which can be applied on Adobe photoshop software.
The image used here was a raw image which was unsuitable for editing straight away due to it being uncompressed. In order to initially edit an image the "camera raw editor" software can be used. I learnt that there are 16.7 million bit of colour on a jpeg image due to 8 bits of colour existing for red, blue and green (256), and in comparison a raw image has 121 trillion colour bits. The camera raw editor can be used for example to edit the colour channels by the histogram which can be edited. An xmp. file is adjoined to the original when editing here which significantly increases the storage size; for example from 20mb to 140 mb.
We then started to edit this image in Photoshop. To still remain focused on coloured we changed the interface preferences to show the channels of colour present. (Red is easier to read here than the other channels.) This can be seen in the second screenshot.
We then looked at monotone, duotone, tritone, and quad tone and what these meant and looked like when used on the image. Monotone is just using black to provide details, whereas duotone normally used black and a primary colour, and only works in 8 bit settings.
The black tones image can be seen in the last screenshot. In regards to black and white images the 'mode' here can be changed form black and white to that of greyscale- that adds a richness to the image due to the broader range of tones available. However this deletes any colour information.
I
also learnt that vector images are from illustrator and rasterised photoshop.
Below shows the same skills being used on a city scape image. The RGB colour channels open alongside a histogram on the right had side of the image editing area.
Using these channels aided a 'colour range' selection process. This can be seen below, with the previews enables. This can refined or feathered to add to the natural effect of editing. "Quick mask" can be use don the large image behind as well for ease of predetermining your selection. Areas can be selected in localised colour clusters, so that one colour is not selected incorrectly across the whole of the image. + and - selection tools refine further for manual adjustment of the "marching ants" selected area.
Once an area is selected this can be inverted or remain as it is, so that the desired editing only takes place in that desired area. This for example could be changing the distribution of light as possible through the levels or curves adjustments. Levels as a form of editing can be manipulated manually by moving the light, shadow or midtones, or can be edited by selected one of the preset options.
Below then shows how an image can be tilted or rotated in order to set a vertical (in this instance) in parallel to the bottom edge of the image area. This is straightened through the spirit level icon.
Left is the model given in which we were trying to recreate a vector image similar to that seen in the top right had side.
This waved formation was to be created on illustrator, and the process in shown below through multiple screenshots.
It was created by using the pen tool to draw out a waved-like line. This was then copied and duplicated slightly offset in order to provide a distance between that and originally drawn line. The gap will then be filled by multiple lines in order to recreate a 'ribbon' lie look which twists and turns in correlation to the shapes of the line. This was done so as a "blend."
This as a vector image was then saved, and was exported as to be available to be placed in to a new photoshop document. Here this vector will now become rasterised and be abel to be edited further to add detail and effects to this shape. In regards to saving;
- psd. files keep photoshop layers in tact.
- tiff. keeps 16 bit, sharp, layers, details but consumes lots of space
- jpeg. good for photo use but not particularly graphics, no transparency available
- png. compress file, contain more shapes than jpegs
- gif. animated. small, limited to 256 colours.
Below is evidence of how photoshop can be used in this edited process. Gradients and glows on strokes give dimension and adds a graphic element to this original vector image.
Here is how it was edited with a colour used, of bright turquoise, This was as to stand out against the black background. The eraser tool was also used to blend the edges of this ribbon in to the background colour, so as to seem like a gradual gradient increase of colour towards the centre. 
