Photo Editing

Assignment Title: Photo Editing

Uses in the Classroom:

Step 1: The Basics
If your kids are relatively new to computers, introduce or review opening, saving and naming a file. Photoshop files use a .psd file extension.

Step 2: Adjust the Image Size
You want to get all the pictures to be the same size so that the conversation looks relatively natural. Introduce the cropping tool, if necessary, to get rid of extra space above or beneath the people. Leave perhaps an eighth of an inch above the heads and beneath the feet. Now use the "image size" command to change the height to six inches.

Step 3: Combine the Images
Bring the two photos together in a single file. You can do this in two ways, so be sure to demonstrate both options:

• Use the selection tools to select an area of one photo, including the person, then cut and paste it into the other file. Be sure to show both the free-form and the rectangular selection tools.
• Use the cloning tool to copy an area of one photo, pixel by pixel, into the other

Part 4: Draw the Balloons
Now show the tools for adding the words and word balloons. Start with the shape tools—both the rectangle and the oval—as one option for creating the balloons. You'll want to review the distinction between foreground and background colors and how to select a color so that the kids learn how to change the colors of the shapes, text and lines. The paint brush tool is an option for drawing free-form balloons, like the clouds we see in comic books. To fill the balloons with a color, demonstrate how to use the paint bucket tool, then demonstrate the text tool.

The above activity provides a hands on experience for each student as they are being exposed to a new application. This exposure further solidifies their educational foundation in being able to learn new applications and their uses.

Issues to Consider: In order to use photo editing software effectively, students will need access to computers, Internet access and have downloaded a trial version of Adobe Photoshop. Additionally, students will need to be familiar with maneuvering around an Internet browser window and the Adobe Photoshop application. If these items aren't available for the students at home, they should be provided for them in the classroom.

Copyright: The activity above was provided by the following link: http://www.youthlearn.org/activities/look-whos-talking-image-editing-activity. The image used below was provided by Gabriela Kuhni on Flickr.com courtesy of the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunshinecoast_bc/12706439503/in/photostream/.