Peter Barnett

Hard Photoshop Planets Still Life Photomontage But cannot spend an hour on each holiday snap. Could use simpler software, or could use Photoshop in simple way

Disclaimer! This is what I do It might not all be the best for you, but something might be of interest I am still learning and finding better ways to do things I havent tried using Photo Fix in Organiser

Basic Premise I think a key press is a lot quicker than aiming a mouse pointer at a small target on the screen As screen resolutions have become higher, the default size of words (on menus) and icons have become smaller

Confusing? Like most software, Photoshop presents us with 2, 3 or even 4 ways of doing the same thing e.g. Levels: 1) Layer - New Adjustment Layer – Levels 2) Or use the icon on Layers Panel 3) Enhance - Adjust lighting – Levels 4) Ctrl L

The Best Way With any software: The best way to start is the way that you can remember But longer term it might be better to learn an easier/quicker way

Crop Best practice – compose properly so cropping not needed. Old fashioned? But if printing need to crop to aspect ratio 4x6, 5x7 etc Practically speaking, many photos are taken in a rush, so a slightly wider view and cropping later makes sense. Use Toolbox icon, or just C Tick or cross? Easier to use Enter key or Esc key

Crop and Straighten Can do both at the same time Move mouse pointer to any corner Best to use an overlay - on the crop options menu bar, either grid or rule of thirds for straightening

New Straighten Tool Is this better than rotating the crop – yes, perhaps: 1. If there is a reliable clear horizontal 2. If there is a clear obvious vertical e.g. on a building 3. Remember: have to use Ctrl with the tool for a vertical 4. And will still need to crop afterwards

Levels Remember Ctrl L good: window bigger than Layer window bad: not as flexible as the layer method Could use Shift Ctrl L for Auto, but might want to see graph, use the reset button or move the sliders manually Can also use Shift Ctrl B for auto colour

Converging Verticals Start with Ctrl A to Select All (this is useful for other tasks also) Ctrl T to select Transform Hold down Ctrl to allow each corner to be adjusted independently Ctrl Shift Alt moves opposite corners together (if you can get your fingers round this!)