Digital Evening 2 March 2010
The monthly digital evenings have been running for several years now and most of the basics have been covered. Increasingly, the question is raised as to what the members now want. President Roger Dye had requested suggestions from members on what topics should be considered, and at what level. This evening was based on the response.
Dave Hockin entitled his contribution “Masks for Dummies”, particularly using Photoshop Elements. Dave, with Lynda’s assistance considered what masks are, and the sort of things one could use masks for. Dave noted that although Elements does not support masks directly, the effect can be mimicked by utilizing the masks associated with adjustment layers. There are a variety of adjustment layers, and any of them can be used since they are not being used to make an actual adjustment. Dave provided two A4 sided notes of his presentation that can now be downloaded from our web site.
Jon Allanson considered ways of altering the tonal range of images; particularly pertinent if the image is to be converted to black and white. He illustrated, with examples, why the obvious method of de-saturation, is rarely the best. Selections and masks came into his presentation.
Barry Pearson volunteered the information that he viewed images as a kind of jig-saw puzzle, to be dealt with in parts. The first stage was to make the selections of the various parts of his puzzle. These parts would be dealt with individually before re-assembling the complete image. In general the background part would need to be de-emphasized by simplifying, toning down or de-focussing etc. The important parts of the image could be emphasized in a variety of ways.
Barry also proposed to put his notes on the NCPS Website (Downloads section). These notes would embrace Making, Saving and Combining selections and editing layer masks.
Roger Dye thanked all speakers, noting especially that it was good to have a new speaker in Dave (and Lynda!) He thanked everyone for their input and in particular Graham Johnston for suggesting the problem image that Barry worked on.