Preparing Images for Video using Photoshop CS4: Stage I

 

Once you have completed the visualization process and have created at least 50 images, youÕre now ready to start the production phase. Stage I is to process each image to get the most out of it and to best matches your vision.

 

1.    Create a Project Folder in the Storage Drive and place your images inside it.

 

2.    Reset Photoshop to its default state.

Launch Photoshop using the keystroke command/option/shift

 

3.    Adjust the brightness and color with a Levels Adjustment Layer.

From the Adjustment Panel, click on the Levels icon – from the Levels adjustment window, click on ÒAutoÓ or make adjustments as demonstrated in class

 

4.    Sharpen your image with the Unsharp Mask Tool.

Filter -> Sharpen -> Unsharp Mask and make adjustments as demonstrated in class

 

5.    Remove blemishes with the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

Select the spot Healing Brush from the Tool Panel - click on all unwanted spots or blemishes

 

6.    Save the file at a low compression, such as 10 or 12

File -> Save As – make sure format is set to ÒJPEGÓ – navigate to your Project Folder – select your images folder inside the project folder – click Save – Click on Replace (before replacing the file, make sure you have a duplicate file saved in another location) – in JPEG Options screen, select a Quality setting of 10 or 12 – click OK

 

7.    Move on to the next file.


Preparing Images for Video using Photoshop CS4: Stage II

 

After making all the needed alterations in Stage I, you're now ready to start creating files that have the proper aspect ratio and resolution, i.e., video ready files

 

1.    Reset Photoshop to its default state.

Launch Photoshop using the keystroke command/option/shift

 

2.    Change the Image Interpolation from Nearest Neighbor to Bicubic Sharper.

Photoshop -> Preferences -> General – change Image Interpolation to Bicubic Sharper (best for reduction)

 

3.    Create a new black document at the proper aspect ratio and resolution.

Go to File -> New - under Name: type "Blank" - under Preset: choose Film & Video – under Size: choose HDTV 1080p/29.97  –click OK

 

4.    File the image with black.

Edit -> Fill – under Contents: Use, select ÒBlackÓ –click OK

 

5.    Save the document in a new folder inside your Project folder. Name the folder, ÒVideo Ready.Ó

File -> Save As – click the ÒNew FolderÓ icon, name the folder and navigate to your project folder – save the file and folder inside your project folder

 

6.    Open one of the images from Stage I.

File -> Open, navigate to your image and click Open

 

7.    Copy your file to the new Blank document.

Select the Move Tool from the tool panel – drag it over the tab of the Blank document – wait a second or two and the Blank document will be come visible – with your other hand, hold down the Shift key – while keeping the Shift key depressed, let go of the image (the shift key centers the image)

 

8.    Size and position your image to fit the Blank documentÕs aspect ratio

Edit -> Transform -> Scale – while depressing the Shift Key, grab one of the Corner Anchor Points and resize to desired crop (not using the Shift Key and Corner Anchor Point will distort your image) – Note: if your image is so large you canÕt see the edges, before using the Transform function, hold down the apple key and hit the 0 (zero) key, this will resize your image to fit the screen.

 

9.    Re-name and save your file.

File -> Save As - make sure you give each file a unique name that helps you remember what it is.

 

10. Move on to the next file.