The Art of Photoshop for Digital Photographers

Daniel Giordan is an artist, photographer, and creative professional who takes pride in sharing his passion for digital design with those eager to create digital art. Trained as a traditional artist, Dan made the shift to digital art in 1995 and has worked since then to translate his organic, hands-on aesthetic to the digital domain. He has written three books for Que and Sams: Art of Photoshop, How to Use Photoshop 7, and How to Use Photoshop CS. When he isn't pushing pixels, Dan works as the Creative Director for AOL Web Properties directing the design efforts for such entities as Netscape, CompuServe, AIM, and others.

Introduction.

Welcome to Tuscany.

    Planning Ahead

    Going Home

    A Tentative Start

    The Palio and the Gangs of Siena

    Obligatory Pilgrimages

    Prologue

I. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES.

1. Digital Camera Basics.

    Digital Photography Pros and Cons

    Five Habits to Optimize Image Quality

    Previewing Tips: Critical Evaluation

    Preview Exposure with Histograms and Clipping

    Capturing the Elusive Shot

    Elements of Photographic Quality

    File Format Pros and Cons

    Using a Flash Effectively

2. Digital Exposure.

    Exposure = Amount of Light and Speed of Shutter

    The Tones and the Zones

    Adjusting Exposure

    Metering Light

    Overcoming TTL Meter Limitations

    Non-manual Exposure Settings

    Using a Handheld Meter

    Measuring Tonal Range with Histograms

3. Focus and Depth of Field.

    Types of Autofocus

    Focus and Camera Stability

    What Is Depth of Field?

    Artistic Application

4. Composition.

    Compositional Building Blocks

    Documenting a Moment

    Controlling Compositions with Multiple Exposures

II. PHOTOSHOP EXPLORATIONS.

5. Photo Explorations.

    Dramatic Shadows

    Custom Black and White Conversions

    Shift Depth of Field

    Image Panoramas

    Daguerreotype Effects

    Infrared Effects

    Simulate Twilight

    Hand Coloring

    Cyanotypes

6. Artistic Explorations.

    Printmaking Effects

    Painterly Illustration

    Line Engraving

    Painted Canvas

    Conté Crayon Drawing

    Graphic Effects with Blending Modes

III. GALLERY.

7. Abbazia: Finding Transcendent Spirit.

    Building the Image

    Abbazia Image Design Log

8. Passagio Scuro: Revealing Shadowed Vitality.

    Building the Image

    Passagio Scuro Image Design Log

9. Punto: Exploring Relative Fundamentalism.

    Building the Image

    Variations on Punto

    Punto Image Design Log

10. Santissima Addolorata: Experiencing Blind Faith.

    Building the Image

    Santissima Addolorata Image Design Log

11. Porta Rossa: Discovering Evocative Doorways.

    Building the Image

    Porta Rossa Image Design Log

12. Molecola Sogni: Toward a Weightless History.

    Building the Image

    Molecola Sogni Image Design Log

13. Una Passione Perfetta: Creating Dynamic Precision.

    Building the Image

    Una Passione Perfetta Image Design Log

14. Parte Interna: Building Visual Tension.

    Building the Image

    Parte Interna Image Design Log

Glossary.

Index.