Photoshop® CS5 for Nature Photographers: A Workshop in a Book

Photoshop® CS5 for Nature Photographers: A Workshop in a Book

Released June 2010
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9780470607343

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

The only Photoshop-based book dedicated to photographing and producing images of nature. Award-winning nature photographers Ellen and Josh Anon reveal their secrets to creating stunning nature images using their field-tested methods and the very latest Photoshop techniques. The book is packed with practical workflows and smart, timesaving ways to use Photoshop's broad array of tools to optimize images—from improving tonal values to adding effects to creating surreal montages with composites. The book is lavishly illustrated with spectacular examples from the authors as well as from some of the most esteemed nature photographers today.

  • Explains how to use the latest version of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to produce stunning nature images

  • Covers tools and workflows best suited to natural subjects

  • Features nature-focused photo-editing techniques, such as how to sharpen animal eyes, edit sky and land separately, and repair delicate images like butterfly wings

  • Provides shooting tips and crucial insights for how to master the digital darkroom

  • Includes pages of beautiful examples from the authors and other exceptional nature photographers

Learn practical Photoshop skills and gain the confidence to produce your own stunning images of nature with this practical and inspiring guide.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Dear Reader,
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. About the Authors
  5. Foreword
  6. Foreword
  7. Introduction
    1. Who Should Use This Book
    2. What's Inside
      1. What's on the Companion Website
    3. How to Contact the Authors
  8. 1. Thinking Digitally
    1. 1.1. Photographic Techniques
    2. 1.2. Choosing RAW versus JPEG
      1. 1.2.1. What's So Great about RAW?
      2. 1.2.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Shooting JPEGs
    3. 1.3. Understanding Histograms
      1. 1.3.1. Types of Histograms
      2. 1.3.2. Interpreting Histograms
    4. 1.4. Exposure
      1. 1.4.1. "Expose Right" by Michael Reichmann
        1. 1.4.1.1. Don't Blow It
        2. 1.4.1.2. Signals and Noise
        3. 1.4.1.3. Dynamic Range and Bit Mode
        4. 1.4.1.4. The Lesson
    5. 1.5. White Balance in Nature Photography
    6. 1.6. Color Management
      1. 1.6.1. Monitor Calibration
        1. 1.6.1.1. Working Conditions
    7. 1.7. Photographing Images to Composite Later
      1. 1.7.1. Expanding Camera Capabilities
      2. 1.7.2. Photographing Parts of the Scene Individually
      3. 1.7.3. Image Components
      4. 1.7.4. Ethical Considerations
    8. 1.8. Aperture and Lightroom
    9. 1.9. Storage Considerations
  9. 2. Bridge
    1. 2.1. Customizing Bridge
      1. 2.1.1. Setting Bridge Preferences
    2. 2.2. Downloading Images
      1. 2.2.1. Creating a Metadata Template
      2. 2.2.2. Renaming Your Images After Import
    3. 2.3. Bridge Views and Workspaces
      1. 2.3.1. Filmstrip Views
        1. 2.3.1.1. Customizing the Left Pod
      2. 2.3.2. Other Views
      3. 2.3.3. Recognizing the Icons
      4. 2.3.4. Stacking Images
    4. 2.4. Sorting and Editing
      1. 2.4.1. Zooming and Comparing Images
      2. 2.4.2. Rating Images
      3. 2.4.3. Labeling Images
      4. 2.4.4. Using the Filter Panel
      5. 2.4.5. Creating Collections
      6. 2.4.6. Using Keywords
    5. 2.5. Additional Features
    6. 2.6. Mini Bridge
  10. 3. Adobe Camera Raw
    1. 3.1. Using the ACR Interface
      1. 3.1.1. Seeing Your Image within ACR
      2. 3.1.2. Cropping and Rotating within ACR
      3. 3.1.3. Using the Spot Removal Tool
      4. 3.1.4. Controlling the Default Appearance of Your Image
        1. 3.1.4.1. Specifying the General Settings
        2. 3.1.4.2. Specifying the Default Image Settings
        3. 3.1.4.3. Saving Settings
    2. 3.2. Using the Basic Tab
      1. 3.2.1. Setting White Balance
      2. 3.2.2. Adjusting Tonalities
        1. 3.2.2.1. Setting the Exposure and Blacks Sliders
      3. 3.2.3. Using the Recovery and Fill Light Sliders
      4. 3.2.4. Using the Brightness and Contrast Sliders
      5. 3.2.5. Modifying Clarity, Vibrance, and Saturation
    3. 3.3. Setting the Other Tabs
      1. 3.3.1. Setting the Tone Curves: The Tone Curve Tab
      2. 3.3.2. Sharpening and Reducing Noise: The Detail Tab
      3. 3.3.3. Correcting Color: The HSL/Grayscale Tab
      4. 3.3.4. Alternate Interpretations: The Split Toning Tab
      5. 3.3.5. Fixing Aberration and Vignetting: The Lens Corrections Tab
      6. 3.3.6. Adding Grain and Vignetting: The Effects Tab
      7. 3.3.7. Accounting for Camera Variation: The Camera Calibration Tab
      8. 3.3.8. Preset Tab
      9. 3.3.9. Snapshot Tab
    4. 3.4. Making Localized Adjustments
      1. 3.4.1. Using the Adjustment Brush
      2. 3.4.2. Using the Graduated Filter
    5. 3.5. Making Targeted Adjustments
      1. 3.5.1. Setting ACR Workflow Options and Saving Files
      2. 3.5.2. Choosing the Space
      3. 3.5.3. Choosing the Depth
      4. 3.5.4. Choosing the File Size and Resolution
      5. 3.5.5. "Sharpen For" Options
      6. 3.5.6. Opening an Image as a Smart Object
      7. 3.5.7. Finishing Up in ACR
    6. 3.6. Batch-Converting Multiple Images
  11. 4. Foundations
    1. 4.1. Customizing Settings
      1. 4.1.1. Color Settings
      2. 4.1.2. Preferences
        1. 4.1.2.1. General Settings
          1. 4.1.2.1.1. Options Check Boxes
          2. 4.1.2.1.2. History Log
        2. 4.1.2.2. Interface
        3. 4.1.2.3. File Handling Settings
        4. 4.1.2.4. Performance
        5. 4.1.2.5. Cursors
        6. 4.1.2.6. Plug-Ins
    2. 4.2. Views and Zoom
      1. 4.2.1. Application Bar
      2. 4.2.2. Windows and Workspaces
        1. 4.2.2.1. Screen Modes
        2. 4.2.2.2. Configuring Panels
      3. 4.2.3. Zoom Tool
      4. 4.2.4. Hand Tool
      5. 4.2.5. Navigator Panel
      6. 4.2.6. Navigating by Keyboard Shortcuts
    3. 4.3. Selection Tools
      1. 4.3.1. The Lasso Tool
        1. 4.3.1.1. Selection Modes
      2. 4.3.2. The Magnetic Lasso
      3. 4.3.3. The Magic Wand
      4. 4.3.4. The Quick Selection Tool
      5. 4.3.5. Using the Refine Edge Controls
        1. 4.3.5.1. Color Range Tool
      6. 4.3.6. Combining Tools
      7. 4.3.7. Saving and Loading Selections
    4. 4.4. Brush Tools
      1. 4.4.1. Brush Panel
      2. 4.4.2. The Color Replacement Tool
      3. 4.4.3. The History Brush
  12. 5. Workflows and First Steps
    1. 5.1. Understanding Layers
    2. 5.2. Flexible and Traditional Workflows
      1. 5.2.1. Smart Objects
      2. 5.2.2. Smart Filters
        1. 5.2.2.1. An Example of Smart Filters in Action
      3. 5.2.3. The Flexible Workflow
      4. 5.2.4. The Traditional Workflow
    3. 5.3. Cropping and Straightening in Photoshop
      1. 5.3.1. Cropping
      2. 5.3.2. Straightening Horizons
        1. 5.3.2.1. Using the Ruler Tool for Straightening
        2. 5.3.2.2. Using the Crop Tool for Straightening
    4. 5.4. Doing Cleanup in Photoshop
      1. 5.4.1. Zooming, Navigating, and Layering for Cleanup
        1. 5.4.1.1. Birds-Eye View
        2. 5.4.1.2. Scrubby Zoom
        3. 5.4.1.3. Creating a Pixel Layer
      2. 5.4.2. The Photoshop Cleanup Tools
        1. 5.4.2.1. Content-Aware Healing
      3. 5.4.3. Removing Dust
      4. 5.4.4. Removing an Undesirable Object
      5. 5.4.5. Creating New Background on Empty Canvas
  13. 6. Exposure Adjustments
    1. 6.1. Shooting for Optimal Exposure
    2. 6.2. Using the CS5 Adjustments Panel
    3. 6.3. Tonal Adjustments with Levels
      1. 6.3.1. Revealing Detail
        1. 6.3.1.1. The Clipping Preview
    4. 6.4. Targeting Adjustments Using a Layer Mask
      1. 6.4.1. Masking a Selection
      2. 6.4.2. Using the Color Range Option
      3. 6.4.3. Painting on a Mask
      4. 6.4.4. Refining the Layer Mask
    5. 6.5. Curves
      1. 6.5.1. Clipping Preview
      2. 6.5.2. Anchor Points
        1. 6.5.2.1. Adjusting Anchor Points
        2. 6.5.2.2. Creating the S Curve
        3. 6.5.2.3. Locking Down the Curve to Limit Changes
        4. 6.5.2.4. Curves Presets
    6. 6.6. Creating a Virtual Split Neutral-Density Filter
    7. 6.7. Safe Dodge and Burn Layers
      1. 6.7.1. Setting Up
      2. 6.7.2. Painting with Light
      3. 6.7.3. Correcting Mistakes
    8. 6.8. The Shadows/Highlights Adjustment
    9. 6.9. Emphasizing Your Subject
  14. 7. Color Adjustments
    1. 7.1. Recognizing Color Casts
      1. 7.1.1. Using Hue/Saturation to Reveal a Color Cast
      2. 7.1.2. Using the Info Panel to Reveal a Color Cast
    2. 7.2. Removing Color Casts
      1. 7.2.1. Subjective Methods for Removing a Color Cast
        1. 7.2.1.1. Using the Gray Eyedropper
        2. 7.2.1.2. Using a Color Balance Adjustment Layer
      2. 7.2.2. Objective Method for Removing a Color Cast
    3. 7.3. Adding a Color Cast
    4. 7.4. Modifying Colors to Match Nature or Add Impact
      1. 7.4.1. Adjusting Hue and Saturation
        1. 7.4.1.1. Colorizing an Image
      2. 7.4.2. Adjusting Vibrance versus Saturation
      3. 7.4.3. Fine-Tuning with Selective Color
    5. 7.5. Using Layer Masks with Color Adjustments
  15. 8. Composites
    1. 8.1. Creating Panoramas
      1. 8.1.1. Photomerge
      2. 8.1.2. Matching the Exposures of Each Segment of the Panorama
    2. 8.2. Expanding Dynamic Range
      1. 8.2.1. Shooting to Expand Latitude
      2. 8.2.2. The "Cookbook" Approach to Expanding Latitude
      3. 8.2.3. Expanding Latitude via Merge to HDR Pro
        1. 8.2.3.1. Single-Image HDR
    3. 8.3. Extending the Depth of Field
    4. 8.4. Combining Elements from Multiple Pictures
      1. 8.4.1. Advanced Selection Methods
        1. 8.4.1.1. Creating a Selection within a Channel
      2. 8.4.2. Compositing the Elements
      3. 8.4.3. Replacing a Sky or Other Background
  16. 9. Creative Effects
    1. 9.1. Black and White
      1. 9.1.1. Converting to Black and White
        1. 9.1.1.1. Converting Using the Black & White Adjustment
        2. 9.1.1.2. Converting to Black and White via the Channel Mixer
      2. 9.1.2. Colorizing Black-and-White Images
    2. 9.2. Painterly Images
    3. 9.3. Filters
      1. 9.3.1. Using Smart Filters on Smart Objects
      2. 9.3.2. Using Filters without Smart Objects
      3. 9.3.3. Lens Correction Filter
      4. 9.3.4. Blurs
        1. 9.3.4.1. Gaussian Blurs
        2. 9.3.4.2. Lens Blur
      5. 9.3.5. The Liquify Filter
      6. 9.3.6. Using the Filter Gallery
    4. 9.4. Digital Montages
      1. 9.4.1. Blending Modes
      2. 9.4.2. Surreal Montages
      3. 9.4.3. Mirror or Flip Montages
      4. 9.4.4. Mirror Images
      5. 9.4.5. Multiple-Subject Montages
    5. 9.5. Digital Multiple Exposures
    6. 9.6. Content-Aware Scaling
  17. 10. Output
    1. 10.1. Output Workflow
      1. 10.1.1. Duplicating the Image
      2. 10.1.2. Resizing
      3. 10.1.3. Reducing Noise
        1. 10.1.3.1. Reduce Noise Advanced Settings
      4. 10.1.4. Sharpening
        1. 10.1.4.1. The Unsharp Mask Filter
        2. 10.1.4.2. The Smart Sharpen Filter
        3. 10.1.4.3. Targeted Sharpening
        4. 10.1.4.4. HDR Toning to Augment Sharpening
    2. 10.2. Printing Your Images
      1. 10.2.1. Soft-Proofing
      2. 10.2.2. Configuring the Print Settings
      3. 10.2.3. Choosing the Best Paper
      4. 10.2.4. Adding Borders
    3. 10.3. Creating Business Cards and Greeting Cards
      1. 10.3.1. Creating a Business-Card Layout
        1. 10.3.1.1. Adding Text
        2. 10.3.1.2. Applying Layer Styles
        3. 10.3.1.3. Saving the Layout
      2. 10.3.2. Creating the Print Layout
    4. 10.4. Using Adobe Output Module
      1. 10.4.1. Contact Sheets
      2. 10.4.2. Creating a Web Gallery
  18. 11. Time-Savers
    1. 11.1. Actions and Batch Processing
      1. 11.1.1. Creating an Action
      2. 11.1.2. Advanced Controls in Actions
      3. 11.1.3. Batch Processing
      4. 11.1.4. Creating a Droplet
    2. 11.2. Using the Image Processor
    3. 11.3. Creating a Copyright Brush
    4. 11.4. Individualizing Keyboard Shortcuts
  19. In-Camera Considerations

Product information

  • Title: Photoshop® CS5 for Nature Photographers: A Workshop in a Book
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: June 2010
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9780470607343