Aims

• To offer a resource of information regarding manipulation techniques.

• To develop skills required to successfully manipulate images.

• To create a knowledge base that facilitates the successful enhancement of images without degrading quality.

Objectives

• Create digitally manipulated images using the skills and knowledge acquired, with particular reference to the use of:

  • history brush

  • layer masks

  • adjustment layers

  • textures

Introduction

The term image manipulation covers almost the entire spectrum of change that can be applied to photographs using software such as Adobe Photoshop. In the previous two chapters we looked at applying that change in the form of:

• Making adjustments and optimizing the original image.

• Creating and applying montage - both with text and with the images themselves.

This chapter will further examine ways that new images can be created using 'raw material' in the form of textures, shapes and images specifically taken (or simply selected) for use as image building blocks. As well as looking at constructing images in this way, we will also extend the concept of the computer as your 'digital darkroom' and look at advanced colour and tonal effects on existing images.