Computer Setup, Photoshop Exercise and Tutorials

Hello Students,

There are a few items we need to complete today, your task list is below:

• Turn your computer on, login username and passwords are located on whiteboard.
• Create a file directory for yourself, either on the desktop or in the documents folder.
• Create a shortcut to this directory and place it on the desktop for easy and quick access.
• Remember to save each project in its own folder from now on.

Now that your computer is set up and you have a place to save files, lets start with an excercise! Watch me demonstrate the exercise below and then try for yourself.

Below is a map of the PSD Tool bar and what each tool does. Open an image and try each tool to see what it does.

• Take 10 minutes and browse the photos at http://www.freephotos.se
• Find a photo that you like and want to work with, save it to your file directory by right-clicking on the image, create a new folder called "PSD Excercise 1" for this project.
• Open the file in Photoshop.
• Apply an artistic filter of your choice or alter the saturation, contrast, color etc. Show me what you can do!
• Download 2 more photos and repeat the process, change your filter or color adjustments, strive for a dramatic effect.
• Use the text tool to add your first initial and last name to the bottom right of your photos.
• Save your file as "firstnamehere_excrcse_1_A" for the first photo, and then change A to B and then C for the next two photos.
• Write a small paragraph to tell me how you altered the photographs.

- When complete, email your 3 images and writing exercise to swilson@santacruz.k12.ca.us 

- Make sure you put the name of the project into your email subject and always sign your email with your full name


When you finish that exercise, try one of these tutorials for clever photoshop beginners:

Tutorial - Retro Comic Book Effect

Tutorial - Warhol Style Pop Art Effect

Tutorial - Combine 2 photos into 1

- Mr.Wilson

The Internet and Using Search Engines

Hello Students,

Todays Agenda:

• Lecture: The Internet
• How to use search engines
• Computer logins
• Search engine exercise

Search Engine Exercise:
Search engines allow you to search a database of web sites and files. Google and Bing allow you to search a directory of sites that have been registered by the site owners, for example yahoo. a Meta-search engine searchers other search engines, for example ixquick.

A good searching strategy is the key to finding the information you need:

Searching Tips:

- Become familiar with more than one search engine, understand that different engines compile data differently. For example, google's boolean search technique is based upon popularity, but not always relevance.

- Be as specific as possible in your search terms. Use unique words or phrases.

- Use a niche site for your search, for instance amazon, or wikipedia.

- Use boolean operators in a meaningful manner (and, or, not)

- Pay attention to publishing dates, file sources. Not everything on the internet is true.

- Don't give up easily, adjust your search terms. Experiment to find your results.

Exercise:

Take two of the following informational questions and research to find the answers. Take10 minutes for each question and search the web. Make notes of any good search tricks you discover or new search directories that I haven't mentioned.

1. What are the names of all the band members of Weezer. What are their home towns?

2. I need to buy a new camera, it must have a minimum of 10 Megapixels. How much will it cost, what brand do you choose and who has it for sale the cheapest.

3. What is the highest temperature for Alaska in August.

4. What is the current #1 song on the radio currently.

5. When did the TV show "Twin Peaks" go off the air.

6. Suggest a good italian restaurant in the Ashland Oregon area.

7. What were the oscar nominees for Best Picture in the year you were born.

8. Who is James Burke.

9. Find a book on teaching dogs how to do tricks.

Compile your two answers and email them to me. Make sure you include your name and title of this exercise

Welcome Spring Semester Students

Hello Students,

Welcome to the beginning of your ROP Web Design class here at Santa Cruz High School. 

I am your instructor, Seth Wilson. I have been working in the creative industry since 1996 and

continue to develop world class motion graphics projects, illustration and design. See my work

at my personal portfolio website: inkfumes.com

All students will be given a syllabus, this must be reviewed with a parent or guardian and signed

and returned in 5 days.

Materials: Each student have a USB thumbdrive of at least 4GB capacity for transferring files and storing artwork.

I also request that each student has a notebook for use during class, taking notes on operational procedures, lectures, videos, etc... is crucial. Students are often asked to write short response papers, write proposals or sketch ideas. Sketching, exploration and brain-storming skills are crucial to design.

This Week: Adobe CS5 Suite Introduction