Photoshop Tutorial 1

Introduction to Unit 34

On completion of this unit the learner should be able..

1) Understand how image manipulation techniques are used In he work of others.
2) Be able to digitise source materials.
3)Be able to originate work using image manipulation hardware and software.
4) Be able to present own design outcomes.

As an Introduction to Unit 34, we were tasked to attempt to make our own snooker ball, Below was my first attempt before the tutorial.

I feel my first attempt was very bad I used basic tools to what I thought might be the best way to put it together, although baring in mind I didn't spend that much time on it. I feel given more time I could of possibly achieved a closer result. 

We then went onto our tutorial with our Tutor, explaining several different in depth techniques, on how to Put together the snooker ball. Below is my result after the tutorial, there is a huge difference. 

My snooker ball after the tutorial we used several techniques including Layer masking to use the black and white brush to shade in and out the colours, we also used the dodge and burn tools, which changed the shades of the outsides to add lighting effects to the ball and the shadow, there are also 3 dots on the ball to give the illusion that there is a light above the ball. 

We also used the Gaussian Blur filter to make the shadow appear more natural with the ball, and turned the ball into soft light on the right hand side to make the ball appear more natural and smooth. Using the elliptical Marquee tool, we also used the add to selection and subtract from selection options to add and edit the Elliptical Marquee's. Using all these abilities we were able to complete the snooker ball within a short period of time, with the glossy, smooth and lighted effect. I feel I have benefited from this tutorial as its enabled me to use a variety of tools to enable realism on certain photos.