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March 18, 2008 by Stephanie L. Grant
I have a Windows computer, a Dell, that my boyfriend, a web and graphic designer with two Macs AND a PC makes fun of me for using. I keep telling him, “It’s not my fault!” Every time I try to use or even navigate his Mac Pro, I end up frustrated and depressed that I can’t work a Mac, but it’s not for a lack of trying, I can tell you that! After many failed attempts, I thought up a new method. If I can’t make the Mac work for me, I’ll use my PC to run traditional Mac programs such as Photoshop. That way, I can use an interface I’m familiar with to do things my boyfriend does on his Mac.
I had my aunt send me her older version of Photoshop that she was no longer using and installed it on my computer. I’ve had it for about a week and a half, but yesterday was the first time I got to try Photoshop out and play around with it.
For someone without a design or print background, programs like Photoshop and InDesign seem very counterintuitive to me. I also know that at the University of Florida, Photoshop is a two-semester course consisting of Parts I and II. I’m pretty much resigned to my fate…
Last night, procrastinating from a paper I should have been writing, I decided it was a perfect time to try my hand at Photoshop. Despite my ignorance, once you get into actually manipulating an image, Photoshop is actually a very relaxing experience. I chose a random image from my modeling photos and decided I would begin with that one. I find that I learn best via trial and error. I’m not satisfied with being told because I want to discover how to do it by myself! I’m very much a two year old child in that respect.
But back to Photoshop. To start on my image, first I cropped it. Next I decided to knock out the background so that I could eliminate stray hairs and tighten the image up. Apparently when I’m done erasing the background (making it transparent) I will fill in the background with a new color. These things that I’m doing are the most basic of the basic, but it works for me. There’s something powerful about manipulating and changing what should be a static image. It’s very… invigorating.
I will end this post with my goals for the summer:
AND FINALLY
Wish me luck!!!
****UPDATE****
The Photoshop image I was working on turned out really shittily. I knocked out the background and cleaned it up really well, but when I put it up against black, I met my maker.