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Adobe Photoshop for Beginners Sponsored by: ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College When: Fridays 7 pm-9:15 pm ~ 7/10-7/24 (3 meetings) Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle Nils Osmar, instructor Course fee: $150
Photoshop is fun! Whether you're a total beginner, a home user or a graphics professional using Photoshop on the job, this class will help. You'll learn the key elements of the program, including scanning, layers, channels, filters, color correction and more. Class includes six hours of group instruction (demonstration, not hands-on), PLUS one FREE hour of hands-on private instruction (a $75 value) for each student, in which the instructor will meet individually with students outside of class to help with problems or individual projects.
To sign up now, call 206-420-1309 or click the add to cart button below. If you don't see a button, go to http://www.classesandworkshops.com
I don't own Photoshop yet. Should I buy it before the class? I would recommend waiting until the class starts. As a student, you will qualify to buy the academic version at a discount. (Photoshop regularly costs $999. The academic version can be purchased for $299, a $700 savings)
Is there a way to download a free version to use in the class You can download a free trial copy to use during the class, at www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe I recommend waiting until the first week of the class to download it. Then you'll have a whole month (during the class) to use it for free while you're learning how it works. How does Photoshop work? And what does it do? When you scan in an image, such as a drawing or photograph, or import a picture from your digital camera, the scanning process breaks it down into tiny colored squares called pixels (picture elements). Every picture on your computer screen is made up of these little pixels.
Photoshop lets you make changes in the pixels, such as changing their color, or copying some pixels from one part of the photo and moving them to another part. This lets us make changes in the photograph, such as correcting colors, moving objects around, etc. (Want to change a person's shirt from red to green? It's easy using Photoshop.) It can also be used to fix problems in photos, take out scratches and blemishes, colorize black and white photos, or add text. You can even change the perspective, flop it from left to right, change into what looks like a line drawing, and much more. Once you get into the program, it's nothing short of amazing what you'll be able to accomplish. Photoshop is a fun program, and it's not difficult to use, if you know the basics. Learning those basics can be the challenging thing. Some people buy Photoshop and never learn how to use it. Others start out fine, but run into a problem with channels, layers or other features, and get stuck. This class is intended to cover all of the important basic features of the program, demonstate how they work, and explain them in detail, so you'll never have this problem.
Is this a class for beginners or advanced students? It is very much a class for beginners. I'll be assuming students don't know anything about the program, and guiding them through its major features step by step. It's a helpful class for people who own Photoshop, but don't know how to use it; for those who use it, but have questions and problems they need help with. It's also a good workshop for those who are considering buying the program but want to see what it can do first, to make sure it's the software they want to purchase. How long have you been teaching the class? I've been teaching Photoshop classes since 1998. What version of Photoshop will we be using in the class? I'll be demonstrating using CS4 (the most recent version). But you can use any version 6.0 or later. (You can even use Photoshop Elements for many of the things we'll be doing in class.) How is the class set up? The group sessions consist of LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS projected on a screen for the whole group, using an LCD projector hooked up to a portable computer. These demonstrations cover all elements of the program, from scanning to layers, channels, and filters, to the final output (print or web pages). I'll show you photos "before and after" using Photoshop, and show you exactly how the changes and corrections were made, step by step, and will give you a CD with the before and after images, so you can follow the same steps to make changes in the photos yourself. Is it held in a computer lab? No. It's held in a regular classroom on the UW campus (using the projector as described above). Why not hold it in a computer lab? There are some advantages to a computer lab, but there are also some disadvantages. After trying both approaches, I've moved it into a regular classroom. Here's why: a) When a class is held in a computer lab, most of the students end up working alone at a computer most of the time, because the instructor can only work with one person at a time. If the instructor takes the time to work with every student at his or her separate computer, there's not much time to present information to the class as a whole. (b) Holding a class in a computer lab drives up the cost of the class astronomically. This is the reason most similar classes cost hundreds of dollars. The costs of leasing space in the lab, leasing the computers, and paying usage rights on multiple copies of the software, areall passed on to the students in the form of higher course fees. In a nutshell, I've found that teaching the class in this way, I can cover more information than if I held the class in a lab, and it keeps the class more affordable. Demonstrations are good, but what if I need some individual help? That's why I've included a free hour of one-on-one instruction outside of class. When you need help, just give me a call and I'll meet with you for en entire hour at no charge. This is more one-on-one time than you would be likely to get in a computer lab class. You can also call me when you run into photoshop problems after the class, and have your hour of "one on one" time over the phone. I have a laptop computer with Photoshop installed. Can I bring it to class? By all means, if you have a laptop, feel free to bring it. But if you don't have a laptop, don't worry about it. You don't need one to benefit from the class.
Do you offer Photoshop for Beginners through any other schools, or at different dates and times? Yes, it's also offered by the Wonder School of the Arts. (Same class, same instructor, but a different time and location). The Wonder School Photoshop class will be coming up in March, on Friday nights. For more information, visit http://www.wonderschoolofthearts.com or email Seattleworkshops@aol.com Can you tell me more about the instructor? Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts for over twenty years, working as a writer (short stories, stageplays & screenplays), illustrator (traditional and modern media), filmmaker and teacher. He currently teaches at the ASUW Experimental College, (a noncredit program of the Associated Students University of Washington) and the Wonder School of the Arts. For a full list of upcoming classes, scroll down this page.
Thanks again for the class. It was really helpful. - Sean C. (Seattle) (My wife and I) liked the format. We learned more than we had in a similar class at __________. - John R. (Seattle) I'm amazed at the program, and happy to finally be able to use it. The first session clarified the problems I'd been having. The other meetings were just icing on the cake. - Shannon C. (Seattle) The format worked well for me. It was nice having assignments, and knowing we could call you during the week if we got stuck. - Shelley G. (Seattle) I was the guy who had had Photoshop on his computer and never figured out how to use it. To tell the truth I was afraid of it. You cut through that and showed us the basic things it's used for, and how to learn about the rest. I was totally happy with the class. - Bill D. (Bellevue) Thanks Nils. I learned everything I was hoping to. Let me know when you have other computer classes, I'll sign up. - Carlos R. (Seattle) It worked out really well. I liked the relaxed atmosphere, and the fact that you made yourself available outside of class. - Sharon G. (Tacoma)
Questions about signing up
How do I sign up? To register, call 206-420-1309, or use the Add to Cart buttons above. Online registrations will be handled securely by Paypal Merchant Services.
Does that mean I need to have a Paypal account to sign up? No. You can use Paypal if you want, or pay using any Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card or American Express.
How do I pay using a credit card? Start by clicking the Add to Cart button, then click "proceed to checkout." You'll be taken to a page where you can choose how to pay. If you want to use your credit card just click at the bottom where it says "Use your Credit Card or Bank account," then enter your credit card information.
Can I pay by check? Yes. If you'd like to pay by check, just download this form, print it, and mail it in with your check or money order. If you have trouble downloading or printing out the form, email Seattleworkshops@aol.com and we'll mail you a form.
How soon will I receive a confirmation email when I sign up? You should receive a confirming email within a few hours of registering (usually sooner). If you don't get a confirming email, call or email Nils Osmar, instructor at 206-420-1309 Seattleworkshops@aol.com or Nilsosmar@gmail.com
What is your refund policy? 1) If you sign up for a class, and then it is cancelled, or if the date or location are changed in a way that prevents you from attending, you will receive your choice of either a full refund, or a tuition voucher for the full amount paid. 2) If you sign up for a class, then change your mind or are unable to attend, and notify the instructor before the first meeting, you will receive your choice of either a refund of 2/3 of the course fee, or a tuition voucher for the full amount paid. 3) If you notify the instructor after the first class meeting, but before the second meeting, that you have decided not to attend you will receive your choice of either a refund of 1/3 of the course fee or a tuition voucher in the amount of 2/3 of the amount paid. 4) If you attend some meetings of a class but miss some meetings, you can make up the meetings you missed the following quarter at no charge.
Wonder School home page Nils Osmar home page
Other summer quarter classes
Art classes in Seattle Drawing for absolute beginners ___ SATURDAYS 9 am-10:45 am ___7/11-8/1 (four meetings) Learn to Draw Faces ___________ SATURDAYS 11 am-12:45 pm___7/11-8/1 (four meetings) Figure Drawing __________________ SATURDAYS 1 pm-2:45 pm___7/11-8/1 (four meetings) Cartooning 101 __________________SUNDAYS 11 am-12:45 pm___7/19-8/9 (four meetings) Perspective Drawing for Beginners____SUNDAYS 1 pm-2:45 pm___7/19-8/9 (four meetings) Acrylic Painting for Beginners ____________SUNDAYS 3 pm-5 pm__7/19-8/9 (four meetings) Exploring Color _________________SUNDAY 10 am-5 pm___ 7/12 only (one-day workshop)
Writing classes in Seattle Writing Fiction and Short Stories ______WEDNESDAYS 7/15-8/12, 7 pm-9 pm (five meetings) It's Time to Write Your Screenplay_THURSDAYS, 7/16-8/13, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (five meetings)
Photoshop classes in Seattle Adobe Photoshop __________FRIDAYS 7/10-7/24___7 pm-9:15 pm___ (three meetings)
Acting & Filmmaking classes in Seattle Let's Make a Movie ___________________ TUESDAYS 7/14-8/18 (five meetings) Filmmaking for Beginners _________FRIDAYS 7/31-8/21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (four meetings) Documentary Filmmaking___SUNDAY 8/16 only (one-day workshop) Beginning Acting ____MONDAYS 7/13-8/10, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (five meetings) ***
*** all classes are held on or near the UW campus in Seattle, except for Beginning Acting, which is held at the Seattle Center/Center House. Exact locations and driving directions will be emailed out when you sign up
Questions? Call 206-420-1309 or email Seattleworkshops@aol.com