a) Course Description: Most digital images can be dramatically improved by applying a variety of retouching and editing techniques using powerful software such as Adobe Photoshop 'Elements'. We will explore using this software to take control of, manage and improve your digital images.

This ten week intermediate level course is for those already reasonably familiar with Adobe’s Photoshop ‘Elements’ software and who wish to improve and/or combine images in interesting and creative ways. You will need your own laptop computer [Windows Xp, Vista or W7], competent computer skills and version 6, through 8 of the PSE software.

b) The aim of this course is:-  

The aim of this course is to give those, with an interest in and enthusiasm for digital image editing and who are already familiar with basic corrective editing, using PSE, the ability to tap in and use PSE’s more powerful advanced features using these to both make non destructive corrective adjustments but mostly to combine and composite images in inventive and creative ways.

b) Course Programme (this may be modified in the light of the interests of course members):- 
 

The main topics to be covered will include the following:-

• Understanding the PSE Editor Interface [note that the PSE Organiser will not be covered in any detail] unless specifically requested;
• Making and refining ‘Selections’ using the various selection tools and techniques;
• Manipulation of images using the Transformation command[s];
• Techniques for combining separate images/selections into a multi-image ‘document’;
• Understanding the concept of Layers and becoming familiar with the ‘Layers Palette’ its purpose, features and controls including Layer Types, Masks, Blend Modes, Clipping Paths;
• Using non destructive editing techniques such as ‘Adjustment Layers’ and ‘Layer Masks’;
• Using ‘Filters’, Patterns and Textures including creating and saving your own;
• Adding text and text effects to images, going beyond simple captions and using text layers in creative ways including ‘Clipping Masks’, Simplified text etc;
• Preparing images for display in Slide Shows, Online Galleries and printing;
• Introduction to ‘Colour Management’ and how to improve printed output;

c) Planned Learning Outcomes: (these may be modified in the light of course members interests)

By the end of the course you should be able to:

1.  Demonstrate two specific techniques to combine multiple images into a single PSE ‘document’;

2.  Demonstrate the use of the Selection tools individually or in combination in order to apply editing adjustments to isolated regions of an image;

3.  Demonstrate how the use of Layers, within a multi-image document, helps to provide flexibility, control and variety over the final composited image;

d) Teaching methods:

Software and editing examples/exercises will be demonstrated initially using a digital projector for course members to observe. Thereafter course members, using their own laptop/software, will work progressively through the same example being led by the tutor. Possible editing approaches and techniques needed to attain a defined editing effect will be jointly discussed and the agreed proposals demonstrated.  Detailed, illustrated session notes [Word documents] will be provided via email. Selected online video tutorials explaining key topics/techniques will be provided via tutor’s own website. Sample images will be supplied, via email attachments, for use with ‘follow – along’ in-session editing examples. On going email support for course members is offered by the tutor. Course members will be encouraged to replicate and/or adapt the in-session examples/techniques using their own images. If requested course members can receive in-session feedback and comments from the other course members and tutor on their own work. The tutor can help with specific advice for those course members wishing to complete their own specific image edits/composition project. [see below].

e) Entry Requirements (course level, prior experience, equipment, materials etc required):

This course will be taught at an intermediate level. Besides a keen interest and enthusiasm for the subject, members are required to provide their own laptop computer and Adobe’s Photoshop Elements [“PSE”] software version 6 through 8. It may be possible to loan a small number of laptop computers on a first come first served basis – please enquire prior to enrolment.

Reasonable computer skills are required with course members being able to download image attachments, save same to a specific folder and be able to retrieve, view online tutorials and navigate around their computer efficiently.

Reasonable familiarity with PSE is desirable with course members able to open/close/save images and use the basic editing tools and menus, however the software interface and basic tools and menus will be covered in sessions 1 & 2.  

This course will not cover the more basic image editing such as red-eye removal and image straightening but will mostly concentrate on using editing and compositing techniques which go beyond the basics editing of images and utilise the power of Layers, Layer Masks, Blend Modes, Filters etc to create interesting and visually pleasing multi image composites.

The tutor will be pleased to discuss any aspect of this course with prospective course members and can be contacted via email at wea_tutor@tmpullen.org.uk in advance of enrolment. Please state if your query is for the Bookham or Guildford courses. The course will be limited to a maximum of 15 persons and a minimum of 10 enrolments.

f) Further study and progression:  

The Tutor will discuss opportunities for further study etc during the course.

g) Additional essential costs to learners: 

None, unless the learner plans to purchase optional related book(s), computer mouse [advisable at ~£20] and/or graphics tablet [not essential but useful when using brush based tools ~ £50]. 

Note that it is possibly to download a ‘trial version’ of the latest Adobe Elements software, which is fully functional but limited to a 30 day evaluation period, after which the software may be either purchased [~£70 from Adobe] or deleted. Also note that it is sometimes possible to purchase this software online at more competitive costs than that offered by Adobe. Learners are advised to ‘shop around’ if considering purchase.

See the links page here for the clickable link to Adobe's download website.

h) How Your Work Will be Assessed:

The tutor will ask you to complete a few assessment projects incorporating key editing and/or compositional techniques and give you informal feedback on your progress. The tutor will encourage the replication, in between sessions, of the worked 'in-session' example exercises using either the provided images or those taken by the individual course member. There are no formal tests or exams and the course will be conducted in a friendly, relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

i) Some information about your tutor:

Your tutor is a retired electrical engineer with long standing interests in photography and computing. An early adopter of digital cameras your tutor has been using Photoshop and more recently its cut-down version Photoshop Elements for several years and has been offering WEA courses in digital photography and image manipulation for the past four years. The tutor can be contacted via email using the links provided above in section e) or below in this section.

Your tutor has been interested in photography from the late1960’s developing and printing B&W photos taken with a variety of cameras and using different film types and formats. The advent of affordable digital consumer cameras in the 1990’s allowed him to combine this ‘new’ photography with a parallel interest in computers. Your tutor regularly uses digital cameras of several types to obtain images of terrestrial/celestial subjects which he incorporates in both online and printed media.

Your tutor is very happy to discuss any aspect of this course with potential members. Please email your course query to the tutor using the email tutor here link. Please quote whether the course is based at either Bookham or Guildford WEA.

j) Suggested further reading – to be discussed during the course:

k) Enrolling:

There are a few ways to enrol as shown below, however by far the quickest and easiest is to download the enrolment form for the particular course, complete and return as per details on the form along with your fee. [£75.00]. Download enrolment forms here for this course held at  , Bookham [Sept 2010],  Bookham [Jan 2011] or Guildford [Sept 2010]

1. Contact the local WEA volunteer for course info, programme details and to request an enrolment form.  For the Bookham course(s) contact Mrs Joy Tapping on 01306 713355 for the Guildford course contact Mrs Josephine McMullen on 01483 836412.

2. Online at the WEA website click here for the course search page and enter the course ref into the 'keyword' search box and hit the 'search' button.  Click on the 'more information' link at bottom right of the course detail page and follow the instructions for enrolling. You will need your credit card details.

3. By post, obtain a copy of the WEA 'Courses for Adults - Surrey' publication from your local library etc and complete the enrolment form contained therein and return to the WEA with your cheque.

4. Phone the WEA on 0800 328 1060 and quote the course ID [the relevant C372..... number] you will need your credit card details to hand.