Online Class: Adobe Photoshop CS4

Dive into the versatile world of Adobe Photoshop with this course, which guides you from basics to advanced techniques, empowering both beginners and experienced users to elevate their image editing skills. Photoshop’s robust interface, emulated by many, remains the quintessential platform for crafting and transforming images with ease and creativity.

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13

Lessons
20

Exams &
Assignments
7

Hours
average time
0.7

CEUs

Course Description

Adobe Photoshop is a complex graphics and image editing software and paint program. Chances are, you've heard of Photoshop frequently in the past even if this will be the very first time that you use the program. Adobe's Photoshop program has become a mainstay with graphics designers, professional photographers, and even hobbyists to edit graphics as well as create and manipulate images. It's fun to use, and it can turn the most amateur photographer to a professional with just a few clicks of the mouse.

If you've ever used any software program to edit graphics or images before, then the Photoshop interface may seem familiar to you and some things may be quite easy to learn. The reason is because most image editing programs on the market today are based on the Photoshop program. Everyone wants to copy it because it is simply that convenient and effective. However, Photoshop is by far the most extensive program available and offers the most features and options.

Over the duration of this course, you're going to learn how to use Photoshop CS4. You'll learn the basics so that you can complete the most basic of tasks, but you'll also get the chance to delve into some advanced features. Whether you're a graphics designer or photographer who wants to improve your Photoshop skills -- or a hobbyist who enjoys editing and manipulating images -- you'll learn everything about Photoshop that you need to know in the upcoming lessons.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Photoshop Elements 101

Computer Literacy Level 2 - Internet Basics

Areas of Study

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Photoshop CS4 Essentials: A Beginner's Guide

Photoshop CS4 revolutionizes digital art by offering an extensive range of custom tools tailored for intricate visual storytelling. By embracing its comprehensive suite of features, users can transform raw images into professional pieces that capture the essence of creativity. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-1-HomeWork-9364.pdf
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Why this Course?
Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Unleash Your Creativity with Photoshop Tools

Embark on a creative journey with Photoshop CS4, where the toolbox and layers become your artistic arsenal. As proficiency grows, so do the dimensions of your creative capabilities. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-2-Downloadable-9365.pdf
Complete: Lesson 2 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Rulers, Guides, and Grids: Structuring Your Visual Creativity

Photoshop CS4 equips artists with an array of features that still influence modern digital art, combining practicality with creative exploration. Essential functions like zooming and panning enhance focus on minute details, while the history feature offers flexibility in navigating creative processes. 20 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-3-HomeWork-9366.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Pixels: Digital Imagery's Building Blocks

Digital imaging’s core lies in pixel composition and resolution adjustment, essential for preserving detail in resized visuals. Aspects like cropping and interpolation are vital for balancing speed and quality, especially when images transition across print and digital media. 20 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-4-Activity-9367.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. From Theory to Practice: Navigating Basic Selection Techniques in Photoshop

The Rectangular Marquee Tool acts like a spotlight, highlighting parts of an image that need editing such as adjusting the brightness of a skyline, with customizable features on the Options Bar. 20 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-5-HomeWork-9368.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Layers: The Painter’s Palette in Digital Artistry

Photoshop layers, akin to a painter's palette, empower users to dynamically craft digital artworks by stacking and merging transparent images to form intricate compositions. Understanding and managing these layers via the Layers Panel enhances creative flexibility, enabling non-destructive edits and seamless artistic expression. 20 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-6-HomeWork-9369.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. From Brush to Canvas: A Comprehensive Guide to Photoshop Painting

The Brush tool, akin to a traditional paintbrush, allows artists to create strokes of varying sizes and opacities, offering unique effects on the digital canvas. Similarly, the Pencil tool provides precision in sketching, while the Eraser tool ensures corrections with options for varying transparency and flow. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-7-HomeWork-9370.pdf
Complete: Lesson 7 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Red Eye Tool: Restoring Natural Gazes

Non-destructive editing with tools like Layers, Adjustment Layers, and Smart Objects enables users to experiment freely, iterating over designs without permanent loss, thus encouraging innovation. By maintaining the integrity of original images, these tools support a process that invites continuous refinement and creative exploration. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-8-Downloadable-9371.pdf
Complete: Lesson 8 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. The Science Behind Perfect Hues: Exploring Color Correction in Multimedia

By mastering image editing in Photoshop, one can transform simple pictures into visually stunning artworks. Utilizing tools like Levels and Curves, alongside creative filters, allows users to exercise precise control over their images, bringing their vision to life. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-9-WordSearch-9372.pdf
Complete: Lesson 9 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Practical Techniques for Quick Mask Usage

Masks in Photoshop are like protective shields that allow you to edit select areas of an image without affecting others, enabling precise and creative image manipulation. With Quick Mask Mode, users can swiftly highlight specific parts of an image for quick adjustments, making it a powerful ally in detailed photo editing. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-10-WordSearch-9373.pdf
Complete: Lesson 10 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Paths and Precision: Navigating Design with the Pen Tool

Initially misunderstood for its difficulty, the Pen tool shines in Adobe Photoshop by offering pathways to precision through controllable straight lines and curves. Harnessing this tool's versatility allows for seamless graphic narratives, crafted with pure creative freedom. 21 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-11-Downloadable-9374.pdf
Complete: Lesson 11 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Filters & Text Effects: Photoshop's Creative Power

Harnessing Photoshop’s Smart Filters allows for non-destructive editing, providing a palette of possibilities where layers and filters combine in dynamic ways. Artists can adjust filters like 'Gaussian Blur' or 'Motion Blur' to perfect their creative vision without losing original details. 16 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-12-WorkSheet-9375.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Export Your Images with Confidence

The modern shift in photograph presentation demands an understanding of diverse file formats, essential for impacting image perception across various platforms. Discovering the intricacies of formats like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF in Photoshop CS4 transforms complexity into an adventure of digital creativity. 20 Total Points

Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-13-Downloadable-9376.pdf
Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 13 Review Exam

263

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Create and manipulate layers in Photoshop CS4 to achieve non-destructive editing and complex design compositions.
Identify and demonstrate the use of different panels in Photoshop CS4 to enhance project organization and workflow efficiency.
Demonstrate proficiency in customizing and applying filters and Smart Filters in Photoshop CS4, enhancing image quality and achieving desired artistic effects.
Identify and utilize the key tools in Photoshop CS4's Toolbox to manipulate digital images effectively, including selection, paint, shape, and text tools.
Apply rulers, guides, and grids in Photoshop CS4 to achieve precise alignment and composition in visual projects.
Identify and demonstrate the use of the Zoom and Hand tools in Photoshop CS4 to enhance image navigation and detail editing.
Demonstrate the ability to resize an image using Adobe Photoshop by adjusting its pixel dimensions and maintaining aspect ratio to achieve desired print dimensions.
Describe the impact of utilizing different interpolation methods on image quality during the process of resampling, identifying when to apply each technique effectively for optimal results.
Demonstrate proficiency in applying the Magic Wand and Quick Selection Tools to accurately select and manipulate complex image areas based on color and composition.
Recognize and utilize the Rectangular Marquee Tool to create and modify selections for image editing with specific options.
Analyze the impact of blending modes on layers and apply different modes to achieve specific visual effects in Photoshop.
Define the function of layers in Photoshop, including creation, organization, and modification, and demonstrate their application in digital editing.
Demonstrate the ability to customize and apply Brush, Pencil, and Eraser tools in Photoshop to create and refine digital artwork effectively.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Student Testimonials

"My first class and I can say I was impressed with the quality of the lessons and communication. Very professional. Looking forward to taking several more :)." -- David P.
"Excellent." -- Evilec P.
"Good overview of many Photoshop tools and procedures." -- Scott A.
"I enjoyed how comprehensive everything was--the lessons had related videos to watch and the assignments were related to the lessons and videos. Very well organized!" -- Tina P.
"What was most helpful was the condensing of technical information so it was easy to understand. The positive tone and simple explanations made it easy to understand why we did certain assignments. The class was good given the level of students who enroll. It was very easy to do the work. The difficulty level was just right." -- Dennis S.
"All parts of this course were helpful...Although I don't need some of the features in Photoshop, it is good to know about them. I will certainly use what I have learned." -- Myrna P.
"The core content was very well written and easy to follow." -- Melissa P.
"A big thank you." -- Dean J.
"Overall it was a great course. I learned tons." -- Dean J.
"The ability to put the tools discussed to practical use in the assignments and the feedback from the instructor was most helpful." -- Donna M.