Editing in Photoshop: Cropping & Levels

Today we will review some techniques for editing photos. First and foremost, remember that not all photos need editing. If a photo looks great, leave it alone!

Also, make sure you edit the full size original photo.

Straightening a crooked image

In general, try to hold your camera straight, and when possible, steady it by leaning it on a sturdy surface. If you have accidentally taken a crooked photo however, you can straighten it in Photoshop. Here are some examples:

How to Straighten a Crooked Image in Photoshop

1. In your layers palette on the lower right side of the screen, double click the background layer. Rename it.
2. View -> Rulers
   
3. Rulers will show up on the top and left side of the screen.
   Click anywhere in the ruler area and drag toward the photo to create a guide.
   
4. Adjust the guide so it is next to an object with a straight edge that is currently slanted. You will use this guide as your reference. (In the example below, I have added a vertical guide to compare to the street light, and a horizontal guide to compare to the horizon line.)
   
5. Edit -> Transform -> Rotate
6. Rotate the image until the edge of your object is parallel to your guide.
   Then press the “enter” key.
   
7. Select the crop tool from the tools palette on the left side of the screen.
8. Drag your crop tool to select the area you want to keep.
   Press the “enter” key once you have successfully evened out the edges of your image.
   

Cropping Distracting Objects Out of an Image

You can also use the crop tool to cut out distracting objects in the background and make the focal point stand out more. Notice how much stronger the image on the right is, because I have focused the attention on Robert by cropping out the distracting elements around him:

Important Note #1: Whenever you edit an image, save a version of the image with a new name by going to the top of the screen and selecting File -> Save As, and naming it something that makes sense. For example, if the original image was named “Flower123,” and you cropped the image, name the edited version “Flower123_cropped.”

Important Note #2: Not every image needs to be cropped! If an image looks great already, leave it alone.

How to Increase Contrast by Adjusting Levels

1. Image -> Adjustments -> Levels

2. Look at the image that pops up. If your image has sufficient contrast, the “mountain range” will extend to the edge of the window.
   If your image looks similar to this, you do not need to adjust the levels, and can close out of the window:

   

   If your “mountain range” of values does not extend to the edges of the window (such as the example below), you will click on the left cursor and drag it to the beginning of the left side of the mountain.
   You will then click on the right cursor and drag it to the beginning of the right side of the mountain.
   You will be able to preview what you are doing as long as the “preview” box is checked.

   

   When you have adjusted your levels, click ok.

Today we will:

• Use the crop tool in Photoshop to straighten and improve the composition of some of our photos.
• Adjust levels when we need to increase contrast in a photo.
• Create a new blog post with before and after images of any photos we have edited. Michele’s blog post has a great example of how to show before and after images side by side.
• Create a final separate blog post for the Angle of View Photography project with the following items:
  • A gallery with your 10 best edited (if necessary) full size photos
  • An artist statement (in paragraph form) about the project that is a minimum of 150 words. If you are not sure what to write about, use these questions as a starting point:
    • Which photos do you plan to edit next class? What changes will you make?
    • What are some things you learned about photography from this assignment?
    • How has this assignment changed how you take photos?
    • How has this assignment changed how you view photos taken by other people?
    • What are some things good photos have in common with good drawings or paintings?
    • What are some techniques you would like to try with future photography assignments?

Best Angle of View Photos

Today we will create a new blog post with:

• Our 15-20 strongest UNEDITED photos from the angle of view assignment. Make sure you post the full size photos!
• A reflection on the following questions:
  • Which photos do you plan to edit next class? What changes will you make?
  • What are some things you learned about photography from this assignment?
  • How has this assignment changed how you take photos?
  • How has this assignment changed how you view photos taken by other people?
  • What are some things good photos have in common with good drawings or paintings?
  • What are some techniques you would like to try with future photography assignments?

Next class, we will edit our photos.

 

Angle of View (continued)

Here are some of my favorite photos from last class.
How has each photographer framed images that tell an intriguing story?

Mariana

Victoria

Jason

McKenzie

Today we will:

• continue our angle of view photography project, focusing on taking photos with a clear subject or story
• post the best photos from today to our blog, along with a brief reflection

 

Photographing the Same Subject from Different Perspectives

Today’s Essential Question: How can I create a variety of different photos of the same subject?

Today we will pick a subject and photograph only that subject from a variety of viewpoints. You can also experiment with different backgrounds and lighting.

Look at all the different ways Vans are represented in the photos below:

Today we will:

• pick a subject and photograph only that subject from a variety of viewpoints
• post the best photos taken today to our blogs

Editing in Photoshop: Cropping & Levels

Today’s essential questions:
What elements make a good photograph?
How can cropping into an image improve a photo? When should I not crop an image?

Today we will:

• Determine which of our photos are the strongest (with our small groups).
  Use the “elements of a good photo” listed in today’s blog post as a guide.
• Publish a new blog post with our 15 best photos and planned edits.
• Begin editing our photos according to the instructions on this blog post. (Not all photos will need editing.)
• Publish a new blog post with “before” and “after” for each image. Michele’s blog post has a great example of how to show before and after images side by side.

That means you will make two blog posts today! I do not expect you to finish editing all your photos, but you must publish before and afters for the photos you have edited. You will have Thursday’s class to finish editing your photos, but you will have a sub, so be sure to ask any clarifying questions today. We will begin our next photo project on Monday.

Finally, remember that not all photos need editing. If a photo looks great, leave it alone!

Elements of a good photo:

• Clear subject/focal point
• Background adds to, rather than detracts from, the photo
• Subject is in focus. If anything is blurry, it is the background.
• Interesting camera angle. The photos taken for this assignment should show an understanding of bird’s eye, worm’s eye, and eye level view.
• Proper exposure/lighting. Image should not be too light or too dark. If the entire image is either too light or too dark, this can be adjusted in Photoshop. If the photo has parts that are both too light and too dark (because you took a photo facing a light source), there is nothing you can do.
  
• No crooked photos!

Straightening a crooked image

In general, try to hold your camera straight, and when possible, steady it by leaning it on a sturdy surface. If you have accidentally taken a crooked photo however, you can straighten it in Photoshop. Here are some examples:

How to Straighten a Crooked Image in Photoshop

1. In your layers palette on the lower right side of the screen, double click the background layer. Rename it.
2. View -> Rulers
   
3. Rulers will show up on the top and left side of the screen.
   Click anywhere in the ruler area and drag toward the photo to create a guide.
   
4. Adjust the guide so it is next to an object with a straight edge that is currently slanted. You will use this guide as your reference. (In the example below, I have added a vertical guide to compare to the street light, and a horizontal guide to compare to the horizon line.)
   
5. Edit -> Transform -> Rotate
6. Rotate the image until the edge of your object is parallel to your guide.
   Then press the “enter” key.
   
7. Select the crop tool from the tools palette on the left side of the screen.
8. Drag your crop tool to select the area you want to keep.
   Press the “enter” key once you have successfully evened out the edges of your image.
   

Cropping Distracting Objects Out of an Image

You can also use the crop tool to cut out distracting objects in the background and make the focal point stand out more. Notice how much stronger the image on the right is, because I have focused the attention on Robert by cropping out the distracting elements around him:

Important Note #1: Whenever you edit an image, save a version of the image with a new name by going to the top of the screen and selecting File -> Save As, and naming it something that makes sense. For example, if the original image was named “Flower123,” and you cropped the image, name the edited version “Flower123_cropped.”

Important Note #2: Not every image needs to be cropped! If an image looks great already, leave it alone.

How to Increase Contrast by Adjusting Levels

1. Image -> Adjustments -> Levels

2. Look at the image that pops up. If your image has sufficient contrast, the “mountain range” will extend to the edge of the window.
   If your image looks similar to this, you do not need to adjust the levels, and can close out of the window:

   

   If your “mountain range” of values does not extend to the edges of the window (such as the example below), you will click on the left cursor and drag it to the beginning of the left side of the mountain.
   You will then click on the right cursor and drag it to the beginning of the right side of the mountain.
   You will be able to preview what you are doing as long as the “preview” box is checked.

   

   When you have adjusted your levels, click ok.

Today we will:

• Meet in small groups of 2-3 students to determine our best 15 photos.
• Publish a new blog post with our 15 best photos and planned edits.
• Use the crop tool in Photoshop to straighten and improve the composition of some of our photos.
• Adjust levels when we need to increase contrast in a photo.
• Create a second blog post with before and after images of any photos we have edited. Michele’s blog post has a great example of how to show before and after images side by side.

Angle of View Day #3

Here are some of my favorite photos taken by students the past two classes. How does the camera angle add to the visual interest of each of these photos?

Photo Credit: Infinit

Photo Credit: Isabel

Photo Credit: Kiera

Photo Credit: Mckenzie

Photo Credit: Starr

Photo Credit: Starr

Photo Credit: Katelyn

Photo Credit: Katelyn

Photo Credit: Kiera

Photo Credit: Kiera

Photo Credit: Mariana

Photo Credit: Mckenzie

Photo Credit: Mckenzie

Photo Credit: Mckenzie

Photo Credit: Raphael

Photo Credit: Rickie

Photo Credit: Victoria

Today we will:

• continue to take photos outside, focusing on bird’s eye view, worm’s eye view, and eye level view
• post the best photos taken today to our blogs

Photo Day #2: Avoiding Common Photography Mistakes

Today’s essential question: What are some things that can ruin a photo and how can I avoid them?

1. Lack Of A Distinct Subject or Focal Point

It is important to have a clear subject in your photo, as no amount of editing can turn a bad photo into a good one. A photo subject is anything that stands out in the photo, that makes it interesting and that the human eye will see first.

Your subject could be a person, a building, a tree or a mountain, but you have to have something that stands out, that the eye will see first. If nothing stands out, the photo is empty, and there is no point in taking it. It’s a common rookie mistake to take a photo of a sunset that has just the sky and the sea. Even if the sunset is really amazing, that photo won’t look good unless there’s a good subject in it.

2 and 3. Crooked Photos and Photos of People’s Backs

Beginner photographers often think that slanting the camera will make their photograph appear “artsy.” It will not. It will just make it look like you were falling sideways while you took the photo.

Photos of people’s backs are inherently boring. Make sure you get the subjects face in the photo.

4. Awkward Objects in the Background

The easiest way to improve your photography is to improve the composition of your photos. Pay attention to how the different elements in your photo interact with one another. For example, if the tree in the background looks like it is growing out of your subject’s head, you can walk around the subject slightly so the tree is no longer directly behind them.

5. Using Flash

The flash will often ruin your low-light photos by adding a flat, ugly glare to the central parts of the image while at the same time making colors cold and unnatural. The only time you should a flash is in complete darkness when nothing is seen without the flash, and you should only use it for subjects within one meter from the camera.

6. Blurry Photos

Images come out blurry for a few reasons when there is not enough light reaching the sensor or when the subject is moving too quickly. Solutions include adding adequate light, stabilizing the camera, or asking your subject to hold still for a moment.

Today we will:

• Take photos outside, avoiding the mistakes listed above
• Publish a new blog post that contains the best photos we took today

Photo Assignment #1: Angle of View

Today’s essential question: How can pointing a camera up, down, or straight ahead change the overall mood of the photograph?

For our first photography assignment, you will focus on taking interesting photographs from different camera angles. You will also keep in mind the rule of thirds.

Rule of Thirds

To apply the rule of thirds to your photograph, break an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. Place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines to create a more balanced and visually interesting photo. Studies have shown that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points rather than the center of the shot. When we use the rule of thirds, we make the way people naturally view images work for us rather than against us.   

Angle of View

Eye Level An eyelevel angle is the one in which the camera is placed at the subject’s height. Eyelevel shots are incredibly common because they are neutral. They often have no dramatic power whatsoever.    High Angle In a high angle (bird’s eye view), the camera is above the subject, looking down. High angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless, and are usually used to make the image more dramatic.    Low Angle Low angles (worm’s eye view) are captured from a camera placed below the subject, looking up at them. Low angles make the subject look dominant, aggressive, or ominous.   

Project Requirements

Daily – At the end of each class, you will:

• Copy any photos you have taken that day onto your username and a back up (google drive account, flash drive, etc)
• Delete photos off the memory card
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • Post your best photos unedited from that day.
  • Write a few sentences describing what you like about each photo, and what you can improve by later editing the photo.

Final – At the end of the unit, you will create a new blog post with the following:

• Your 10 best photos from that shooting assignment. You will post the original photo next to the edited photo to allow for side-by-side comparison.
• You will write a short paragraph describing the changes you made editing the photo.

You will be graded on:

• Documentation of daily progress via daily blog posts.
• Quality of 10 final photos.
• How well the 10 final photos show your understanding of different camera angles and composition.
• Technical editing; your edited photos should look better than your originals.
• Improvement and reflection; your photos should be getting better with practice and reflection. This should be clear in your daily blog posts.

Reminder of Class Back Up Policy:

It is your responsibility to save your photos to at least two different locations. I will provide ample class time to take enough photos to do well on this project. If you fail to back up your photos and lose  your work, you will still be required to turn in ten photos by the deadline, and will be graded on these photos.

Today we will:

introduce the Angle of View photo project

• learn how to use the cameras
• take photos outside from the following points of view: bird’s eye view, worm’s eye view, eye level view
• transfer the photos onto our computer and clear the memory card
• upload the best photos from today to our blog