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Adobe Photoshop for beginners!

When: Fridays, 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m., May 4-May 18 (three meetings)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $125
UW Students with current ID: $120
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this easy, step-by-step class, you'll learn how to use the software called Adobe Photoshop to fix color problems in photos, fix exposure problems, remove dust and scratches. Plus: copying and pasting; feathering; cropping; working with text; saving photos for the web, and more. Class includes several hours of group instruction (demonstration, not hands­on), PLUS one FREE hour of hands­on private instruction (a $75 value). Whether you're a home user or a job seeker wanting to upgrade your work skills and employability, the class will help.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts since the 1980s, and has taught both accredited and non-accredited classes in Seattle for over twenty years, through the University of Washington's ASUW Experimental College, Antioch University Heritage Institute, the Wonder School, and Classesandworkshops.com.

Nils has worked in Photoshop since 1992, and has taught Photoshop classes in Seattle since 1996. He is the creator of a line of Photoshop-generated comic books which were published in the United States and Italy. Nils Osmar home page

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
This class is sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College, the Wonder School, and Classesandworkshops.com. It's open to everyone; you don't have to be a U.W. student to sign up. (If an enrollee is under 18, please contact us first to make sure the class is a good "fit" for the student)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I don't have Photoshop yet. Is there a way to download a free version of Photoshop to use in the class?
Yes, and, I recommend doing so. You can download a free trial copy to use during the class, at
www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe



Is this a class for beginners or advanced students?
It's 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.

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 CS5 (the most recent version). But you can use any version released in the last few years. (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 the class 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.

STUDENT COMMENTS:
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)

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)

I liked the relaxed atmosphere, and the fact that you made yourself available outside of class.- Sharon G. (Tacoma)

Classes starting soon:

ACTING CLASSES
CLASS 110: Beginning Acting
CLASS 300:
Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 120:
Actors workshop: Auditioning

ART CLASSES
CLASS 210: Drawing for Absolute Beginners
CLASS 220:
Figure Drawing
CLASS 225:
Drawing clothing and drapery
CLASS 230:
Drawing Faces and Portraits
CLASS 240:
Perspective drawing for artists
CLASS 250:
Acrylic Painting for Beginners
CLASS 270:
Cartooning for fun and profit
CLASS 290: Drawing in pen, brush & ink
CLASS 295: Exploring charcoal

FILM AND VIDEO CLASSES
CLASS 300: Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 310:
Filmmaking 101
CLASS 320:
Documentary Filmmaking
CLASS 550:
Start writing your screenplay

SOFTWARE CLASSES: PHOTOSHOP
CLASS 400: Photoshop for Beginners

WRITING CLASSES
CLASS 510: Writing fiction & short stories
CLASS 550:
Start writing your screenplay