I don't own Photoshop yet. Is there a way to download
a free version to use in the class
You can download a free trial copy to use during the class, at
www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe
I recommend waiting until the first week of the class to download
it. Then you'll have a whole month (during the class) to use it
for free while you're learning how it works.
I'm thinking about buying Photoshop. Should I do so before
the class?
You may want to wait until after the class starts. As a registered
student, you will be able to buy a student version of Photoshop
CS3 at an academic discount. (The usual cost is $599; the student
rate, for the academic version, is $299.00. The academic version
of the software is fully upgradable, and works exactly the same
as the non-academic version.)
How does Photoshop work? And what does it do?
When you scan in an image, such as a drawing or photograph, or
import a picture from your digital camera, the scanning process
breaks it down into tiny colored squares called pixels (picture
elements). Every picture on your computer screen is made up of
these little pixels.
Photoshop lets you make changes in the pixels, such as changing
their color, or copying some pixels from one part of the photo
and moving them to another part. This lets us make changes in
the photograph, such as correcting colors, moving objects around,
etc. (Want to change a person's shirt from red to green? It's
easy using Photoshop.) It can also be used to fix problems in
photos, take out scratches and blemishes, colorize black and white
photos, or add text. You can even change the perspective, flop
it from left to right, change into what looks like a line drawing,
and much more. Once you get into the program, it's nothing short
of amazing what you'll be able to accomplish.
Photoshop is a fun program, and it's not difficult to use, if
you know the basics. Learning those basics can be the challenging
thing. Some people buy Photoshop and never learn how to use it.
Others start out fine, but run into a problem with channels, layers
or other features, and get stuck. This class is intended to cover
all of the important basic features of the program, demonstate
how they work, and explain them in detail, so you'll never have
this problem.
Is this a class for beginners or advanced students?
It is very much a class for beginners. I'll be assuming students
don't know anything about the program, and guiding them through
its major features step by step. It's a helpful class for people
who own Photoshop, but don't know how to use it; for those who
use it, but have questions and problems they need help with. It's
also a good workshop for those who are considering buying the
program but want to see what it can do first, to make sure it's
the software they want to purchase.
How long have you been teaching the class?
I've been teaching Photoshop classes since 1998.
What version of Photoshop will we be using in the class?
I'll be demonstrating using CS3 (the most recent version). But
you can use any version 6.0 or later. (You can even use Photoshop
Elements for many of the things we'll be doing in class.)
How is the class set up?
The group sessions consist of LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS projected on
a screen for the whole group, using an LCD projector hooked up
to a portable computer. These demonstrations cover all elements
of the program, from scanning to layers, channels, and filters,
to the final output (print or web pages). I'll show you photos
"before and after" using Photoshop, and show you exactly
how the changes and corrections were made, step by step, and will
give you a CD with the before and after images, so you can follow
the same steps to make changes in the photos yourself.
Is it held in a computer lab?
No. It's held in a regular classroom on the UW campus (using the
projector as described above).
Why not hold it in a computer lab?
There are some advantages to a computer lab, but there are also
some disadvantages. After trying both approaches, I've moved it
into a regular classroom. Here's why:
a) When a class is held in a computer lab, most of the students
end up working alone at a computer most of the time, because the
instructor can only work with one person at a time. If the instructor
takes the time to work with every student at his or her separate
computer, there's not much time to present information to the
class as a whole.
(b) Holding a class in a computer lab drives up the cost of the
class astronomically. This is the reason most similar classes
cost hundreds of dollars. The costs of leasing space in the lab,
leasing the computers, and paying usage rights on multiple copies
of the software, areall passed on to the students in the form
of higher course fees.
In a nutshell, I've found that teaching the class in this way,
I can cover more information than if I held the class in a lab,
and it keeps the class more affordable.
Demonstrations are good, but what if I need some individual
help?
That's why I've included a free hour of one-on-one instruction
outside of class. When you need help, just give me a call and
I'll meet with you for en entire hour at no charge. This is more
one-on-one time than you would be likely to get in a computer
lab class. You can also call me when you run into photoshop problems
after the class, and have your hour of "one on one"
time over the phone.
I have a laptop computer with Photoshop installed. Can I
bring it to class?
By all means, if you have a laptop, feel free to bring it. But
if you don't have a laptop, don't worry about it. You don't need
one to benefit from the class.
Thanks again for the class. It was really helpful.
- Sean C. (Seattle)
(My wife and I) liked the format. We learned more than we had
in a similar class at __________.
- John R. (Seattle)
I'm amazed at the program, and happy to finally be able to use
it. The first session clarified the problems I'd been having.
The other meetings were just icing on the cake.
- Shannon C. (Seattle)
The format worked well for me. It was nice having assignments,
and knowing we could call you during the week if we got stuck.
- Shelley G. (Seattle)
I was the guy who had had Photoshop on his computer and never
figured out how to use it. To tell the truth I was afraid of it.
You cut through that and showed us the basic things it's used
for, and how to learn about the rest. I was totally happy with
the class.
- Bill D. (Bellevue)
Thanks Nils. I learned everything I was hoping to. Let me know
when you have other computer classes, I'll sign up.
- Carlos R. (Seattle)
It worked out really well. I liked the relaxed atmosphere, and
the fact that you made yourself available outside of class.
- Sharon G. (Tacoma)
Adobe Photoshop is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu
To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)
To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.
To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer
quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll
post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the
instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations
begin.
Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.
Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing
for absolute beginners
Learn
to Draw Faces
Figure
Drawing for beginners
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for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing
Clothing and Drapery
Exploring
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Beginning
Acting
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in a Movie
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101
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Fiction and Short Stories
It's
Time to Write Your Screenplay
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Photoshop
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& painting Flowers
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comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic
painting for beginners
Drawing
with colored pencils
Documentary
filmmaking
Editing
tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup
for filmmakers
Improv
for beginners: acting without scripts
How
to make commercials & infomercials
Free
up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing
science fiction & fantasy
* click on the course title for registration information