Digital Workflow & Image Manipulation for Underwater Photography

by Bonnie Pelnar

Don't toss that image! Fix it instead. This course will teach you how.

When it comes to improving underwater images using your computer, there is no quick fix, but this course teaches you the best way to make a good photo great. This course gets in-depth with Adobe Elements 2 and/or Adobe Photoshop, teaching the skills necessary to make the right adjustments based on what needs to be fixed. You'll learn all about the cool things you can do with your underwater images once you get them to your computer. This course is not advanced, but is designed for the more experienced computer user. Best of all, this courses is written specifically for underwater photography and the issues these types of images present.

Whether you are shooting with a digital camera or scan your slides or prints, you need this course! It is filled with inside information, tips and how-to secrets that most digital artists don't want you to know. Regardless of what camera you are using, you'll learn how to make your good shots into great photographs.

You will not find this combination of digital imaging experience and world-wide underwater shooting experience in any book or on-line course anywhere. You don't have to waste time on your dive vacation trying to learn from a laptop. The course is available to you on your computer, on your time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE:

The course requires a basic familiarity with Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements. This course is not designed to teach you how to use these applications, but discusses tools and techniques specific to color correcting and manupulating underwater images.

Includes in-depth information on the following topics:

Getting pictures from camera to computer

Your computer monitor
  - Color depth, resolution, dot pitch
  - Intro to color management

Understanding file formats
  - Source formats
  - Working formats
  - Archival formats
  - Output formats

File size and file resolution

Organizing your images
  - File naming for easy retrieval
  - Archival & storage
  - Software options for image organization
      • Extensis Portfolio
      • Canto Cumulus
      • Software included with your digital camera

Improving image quality using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Elements 2

Typical problems with underwater images

Simple steps to a great photo
      • Automatic color correction
      • Adjusting color
      • Brightness/contrast
      • Variations
      • Sharpen
      • Unsharp mask

Beyond the basics
      • Understanding the histogram
      • Levels
      • Curves
      • Color balance
      • Hue/saturation
      • Selective color
      • The history brush
      • Layers
      • Using adjustment layers
      • Masks
      • The healing brush
      • The history brush
      • Creating a silhouette
      • Clone stamp, pattern stamp
      • Dodge and burn, saturation
      • Photo retouching
      • Photo composites

Projects to help you practice

Where to go for more help

Your photos and the Internet
  - Sending images via e-mail
  - Putting your photos on-line
      • Linking to your photos from message boards and chat rooms
      • Photo album and web sharing sites
      • Your personal web site
      • Building a commercial web site
      • Searchable database

Protecting your copyright

Printing your photos
  - Desktop printers, papers, inks, specialties
  - On-line options
  - Your local photo store & pro lab
  - Gift items

Photo contests

Selling your photos as prints and stock