TECH TIPS Using Layer Styles Blending - John Reuter - "There are many filters available that can alter your images. I occasionally find partial use of them exciting by fading or blending them, but I tend to stay away from them because they seem to have an aesthetic of their own. What I love about Layer Styles Blending is that the artist sets up the process by image selection and layer placement. The tool then introduces the same kinds of accidental effects and chance interactions that informed my earliest work with traditional materials.

The following example demonstrates how to use and modify Layer Styles Blending for your own work."

Adobe Photoshop CS
Part of the new Adobe Creative Suite (which also includes Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, GoLive, and Acrobat Pro), the latest revision of Photoshop is so much enhanced that Adobe couldn't just call it Photoshop 8.0. For starters, it allows you to manage your images, not just view them. You can display previews at any size; sort, rearrange, catalog, and search; and assign images keywords and customize their metadata. You can even perform batch functions straight from the browser. The application's built-in Adobe Camera RAW utility lets you open and edit nearly any camera's RAW file format without third-party software. With the Lens Blur filter you can alter a picture’s apparent depth of field, while Shadow/ Highlight correction offers a sort of automated dodging and burning-in. Most major tools, including layers, now operate in 16-bit mode.

What is "moderism" in art? Is art produced today "modern" or, is it given a different name?

All class members are to have answers to these questions on Mon., 25 Oct., 2004.

[Postscript: Please use the comments section at the bottom of each post for your comments, questions, and/or additional ideas discussion. Thank you.]

After seeing selections from the Jaffe Collection our possibilities for image making have broadened. The possibilities of combining film and digital images gives rise to thoughts about the future of photographic media. The below article is the first assigned reading for our class. Please read the article so that we can discuss it in class on 25 Oct., 2004. Even though the idea of postmodernism itself will be raised with later readings, this article should be a stimulus for thinking about your image making.

Postmoderism and the Future of Traditional Photography Most of us began by using the camera, lens, processing methods, and materials in a straightforward manner with silver images and only a nominal amount of traditional manipulation. However, for those who hope to exhibit or publish their work or subject it to critical review, there will eventually be the voice of the postmodernists to consider. What does that voice say about so-called "straight" or "modern" photography? What does it say about the idea of making original, personal images using traditional procedures in photography?

Photo Comp Imaging: PGYC 4440

Below are a beginning that will give you some insight into how to design your photo web gallery. You need to think about layout, colors, and image sizes for both thumbnails and full views. As we move closer to building the pages other links and info will be provided. Information about scanning is on my education course site: Readings: Photo Computer Imaging

CD Design Templates
Online Color Scheme Generator
Web Page Design for Designers
Lesson 4: (Western) Color Psychology-Presentation attributes
Building accessible and effective Web sites

Dreamweaver MX 2004 Basics
Designing Adobe GoLive Web Pages
Creating Rollovers in Photoshop and ImageReady CS
Hands-On Photoshop CS: Correcting a Problem (color) Image
Color Spaces, Device Characterization, and Color Management in Photoshop 7

More than enough to get you started, please take advantage of the various links to review material for your web gallery.

I don't know how often Cyborgmommy looks at this blog anymore because I've been using MAEX Art Blog. I do like her use of blogging for her design class. I'll have to incorporate more of that with the remainder of my Photo Comp Imaging course. I'll post some links to various learning tools and readings. I will do the blog in addition to giving handouts. Be prepared my friends... :-)