RAW images shot with Nikon digital cameras are saved as NEF files. As with all other RAW image file types, before your NEF files can be emailed, posted to the web or saved to your computer, you must first open up the file in an imaging program and convert it to another image format, such as JPEG or TIFF. You can read NEF files and perform your conversions in Adobe Camera RAW, which is the RAW conversion and editing program that comes as part of Adobe Photoshop CS3.

1. Select your NEF file and open it with Adobe Photoshop CS3. You can do this with the “Open” command under the “File” menu in CS3 or with the “Browse” command, which opens up Adobe Bridge and lets your browse your files in a contact sheet. You can also import them directly into Photoshop from another photo program. The NEF file will open in the Adobe Camera RAW window.
2. Step 2

   Rotate the image right side up, if needed, with the Left and Right Rotate tool, which can be found in the top left section of the Adobe Camera RAW window.

3. Step 3

   Crop or straighten the image as desired by using the appropriate tools, which are also found in the top left section of the Adobe Camera RAW window.

4. Step 4

   Select a desired image size and color space by clicking on text at the bottom center of the Adobe Camera RAW window. This will bring up a dialog box, where you can type in your desired resolution, choose from a variety of sizes and select a color space for your converted image. For images you plan to email, post to the web, or send to a mini lab printer, choose “sRGB”. For images you plan to have printed by a professional quality printer, choose “Adobe RGB (1998).” When you have made your selections, click “OK”.

5. Step 5

   Adjust the temperature, color and tonal range of your image to your liking by using the various sliders that can be found within each tab at the right side of the Adobe Camera RAW window. Reference your changes by looking at the histogram, which is the graph at the top right of the window.

6. Step 6

   When you have competed your adjustments, click “Save Image…” Choose a format for your converted images and a location where you want to save them. Or if you wish to open your image in Photoshop and make further adjustments, or if you want to print or save from within CS3, click “Open Image” instead of “Save Image…”

7. Step 7

   Locate the folder where you saved your converted images. They are now ready to be displayed or reproduced with whatever method you choose.

Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program that is a part of the Adobe Creative Suites 3 (CS3) software package, and allows users to professionally manipulate images of any kind. A simple task when working with an image in Photoshop CS3 is to cut out an image from a layer of images or to get rid of a selected portion of an image. It’s important to also know how to cut out a portion of an image without disrupting other the rest of the image so that it looks presentable.

1. Open the Photoshop application on your computer. Click on the “File” option from the top toolbar menu and then click on the “Open” option.
2. Step 2

   Locate the file that contains the image you want to cut out and then click on the “Open” button. Click in the “Layers” palette and select the layer that contains the image you want to cut out.

3. Step 3

   Click on the “Selection” tool from the “Tools” menu and then object you want to remove again. Click on the “Quick Mask Mode” button from the toolbox area.

4. Step 4

   Select the “brush” tool with the appropriate size and paint the masked area black to add more to the masked area. Use white paint to reveal more of the image.

5. Step 5

   Cut out the entire selected image by clicking on the “Select” option and then the “Inverse” option. Click on the “Edit” option and then click on the “Cut” option. The image is not cut out.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended is one of the most useful and versatile graphics programs on the market. The designers at Adobe have created a basic workspace layout that addresses most of you needs in a graphics project. But there are many occasions when you will want to make changes to the way the layout and panels are set up, such as placing them in different positions or hiding some entirely. But at some point you will want to reset things back to the original factory specs just to make working easier, follow along with a tutorial or create screenshots for your own tutorials. Adobe makes it a fairly straightforward matter to return to the original layout.

1. Close Photoshop if you have it open. While it is possible to to do the reset from within the program it is much easier to just to do it at restart.
2. Step 2

   Hold down the “Shift”-”Ctrl”-”Alt” keys on your keyboard at the same time (on the Mac it is be “Shift”-”Command”-”Option”). Then click on the Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended shortcut to start the program up.

3. Step 3

   Photoshop will pop up a dialog asking “Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings File?” Let go of the keys you have been holding down and click “Yes” to make the change. Photoshop will now open as usual, except that the previous arrangement you had for you interface will be gone and replaced with the original one.

Creating realistic shadows in Photoshop used to be a lot of work. You had to make and feather selections, play with blend modes and opacity and rotate and distort the duplicate layer. With Photoshop CS3 you still have to do the same steps but you can take a few short cuts.

1. Open your Photoshop document. Select the object you want to add the shadow to and copy it to a new layer (Command + J.) You can also drag the selection from another file.
2. Step 2

   Add a drop shadow. Click on the “Add Layer Style” icon in the Layers palette and choose “Drop Shadow” from the pulldown menu. Don’t accept the default settings. Soften the edges and adjust the distance to look more like a real shadow.

3. Step 3

   Choose “Create Layer” from the Layer menu Layer Styles submenu. Don’t worry if you are warned that some effects can’t be reduced. Your drop shadow will separate from the original layer and become a separate layer of its own.

4. Step 4

   Use the Distort and Free Transform commands to bend the shadow into a realistic shadow shape. Move the shadow to align with the casting object and position it where it would be cast by the image light source.

5. Step 5

   Tweak the layer blend and opacity. The settings will be copied to the layer from the original layer style settings. While “Multiply” blend mode will usually work best, some of the other darken blends may work better with specific backgrounds.

One of the easiest ways to make a face really stand out in a photograph is to brighten the subject’s eyes. This is a quick and simple photo retouch used by professionals. You can use this technique on any animal eyes in pictures. Here we begin.

1. Have a prepared picture with “eyes”. Launch Photoshop and open that picture in the program.
2. Step 2

   Next, duplicate background layer. Change “blending” mode of the new layer to Screen.

   With the layer still highlighted, go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All.

3. Step 3

   Select the Layer Mask. Select a paintbrush and choose “white” for the paint color. Paint over the eyes, make sure the Screen layer is exposed.

   If you accidentally paint outside the eyeball, change your paintbrush color to black then paint over the overlapping area.

4. Step 4

   With both eyes exposed, lower the opacity of the layer to 45%. If the eyes are still too bright, take the opacity a little lower to 30%, and so on.

5. Step 5

   If the pupils look unnatural with the overlay, select Layer Mask and set your foreground color to black. Next, choose the paintbrush tool and resize the brush to a smaller one of the irises. Drag and hold your cursor directly over the iris of the eye, click once.

6. Step 6

   Go to Edit > Fade Brush Tool before you go to anything else. Drop the opacity to around 70% to bring back some of the original lightness. Adjust lightness accordingly to your taste or until the eye looks natural to you. Click OK. Repeat process for the other eye.

   Save your file in the end of session.

7. Step 7

   This technique is quick and effective. You will find that it becomes even easier after you practice a few times. You can use these instructions on almost any photographs where the subject’s eyes are present.

1. Adobe Photoshop CS3 is used to convert ideas into images by employing the vast number of functions that the software has to offer. The first step in the process is to select a logo size and create a canvas upon which the logo will be crafted. Image 1 shows the dialogue box that appears when a user clicks “File” and “New” within the program. Because most logos will eventually be printed, the resolution is set to 300 dpi.

Materials

2. Photoshop comes with a number of materials that can be used to create a logo from scratch or to transform an idea into a digital image. The “Custom Shapes” area has many designs, icons and shapes that can be used to create a logo. These materials are accessed by clicking the “Custom Shapes” button on the Tools menu, followed by clicking on the “Shape” button located at the top of the screen as shown in Image 2. These actions reveal many items that can be used by a designer to create a custom logo in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Layer Enhancements

3. After selecting a particular image, the user can also add text or other shapes as desired. Once the basic image has been created, it’s possible to begin enhancing the logo using the many tools available in the Layers menu. Image 3 shows a logo of a fictitious company called Elektrik Umbrella. The logo appearance is the direct result of layer enhancements called “inner glow” and “outer glow.” These are among many enhancements that are available within this one menu that Photoshop users can access.

Filter Enhancements

4. Another group of enhancements that are used in Adobe Photoshop CS3 to create a logo are located under the Filter menu option. Filters are used to add unique and eye-catching modifications to a logo that help distinguish it in the market. Filters can be used to age images, create sketched or painted versions of an image, add lighting effects and make many other alterations. In Image 4, “Noise” has been added to a layer in Photoshop, which has then been modified by adding a “Blurred Motion.” This creates a look that could appear as rain and is incorporated into the Elektrik Umbrella logo.

Learning the Options

5. There are virtually limitless design looks that can be created by a combination of layer enhancements, filters, shapes and distortions that can be added to an image. A designer should start with an idea and use the existing tools to create and develop a specific look. With the number of functions available in Photoshop CS3, it’s possible to create an interesting and professional-looking logo in a relatively short period.

Using Adobe Photoshop software is a great way to create artistic images and designs. There are many different artistic things you can do with Photoshop, such as updating and editing pictures and creating beautiful drawings. The Photoshop CS3 toolbox can be used to adjust the font size, shape and color of a project, enabling different options that enhance creativity and produce one-of-a-kind artistic projects.

1. Open Adobe Photoshop CS3 on your computer.
2. Step 2

   Open the file you want to edit by clicking on “File” and “Open,” then searching for a saved file on your computer. If you are creating a new file, go to “File” and then “New” and a box will appear. Enter the title of your file in this box.

3. Step 3

   Click the “A” icon from the navigator tool on the right. This icon stands for “Character Tool,” which you can use for typing letters and adjusting the font. A window will pop open showing a couple of tabs, one for “Character” and one for “Paragraph.” The “Character” tab is where you can make changes to the font style, size, sharpness and even color.

4. Step 4

   Adjust the font shape or style by clicking the drop-down box underneath the word “Character” to reveal several options.

5. Step 5

   
   

   Change the color of your font.

   Adjust font color by clicking on the “Color” box. This will give you different colors and shades to choose from.

6. Step 6

   
   

   Use the color options to pick your shade.

   Click on “Color Libraries,” then type a color name to select it on a color list or slide the arrows on the color bar. Click “OK.”

7. Step 7

   
   

   Adjust the font size by clicking on the “T” icon drop-down. This shows the font in point sizes.

Photoshop CS3 is part of the Adobe creative suite, which also includes print and web design programs such as InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash and Illustrator. While each of these programs differ in the way they function, there are several similarities in the controls that you use when creating or modifying a document. Two of the basic actions that are somewhat similar with all of these programs are the “Copy” and “Paste” actions. Knowing how to copy and paste in Photoshop CS3 can give you a good idea of how to do it using other Adobe programs.

1. Click the arrow tool in your toolbox on the left side of the page.
2. Step 2

   Click on the image, graphic or text box you want to copy.

3. Step 3

   Press “Ctrl” + “C” to copy the item.

4. Step 4

   Press “Ctrl” + “N” if you want to paste the item into a new page.

5. Step 5

   Click on the area of the page where you want to paste the item. Select “Ctrl” + “V” on your keyboard. You now have copied and pasted in Photoshop.

Airbrushing is a technique used on photographs to remove problem areas from a person’s face. It also smooths out texture and provides a more even skin surface. The airbrush tool can remove spots created by acne and other skin disorders. And it can make a person look younger by smoothing out fine lines and winkles.
Photoshop CS3 has built-in airbrush capabilities. So, this an easy job for anyone to do, even if they have no prior graphic editing experience. It takes less than five minutes to airbrush most portraits.

1. Open the picture you want to work on by clicking “File” at the top of the screen and then “Open.” Navigate to the photo and click click “Open” to continue. Alternatively, you can paste a photograph directly into Photoshop.
2. Step 2

   Click on the brush tool. This is located, by default, on the left side of the screen. It has an icon that looks like a bandage. A small selection list will appear, letting you select which type of brush tool you want to use. Click on the “Spot Healing Brush Tool,” which is the proper tool for airbrushing.

3. Step 3

   Set the options for the tool at the top of the screen. The “diameter” setting controls the size of the tool, based upon its circular width measured in pixels. As you change the size, you will be able to see the on-screen representation of the tool (the mouse cursor) change in size. Select the type of airbrushing you wish to do. Click on “Proximity Match” to get rid of small marks such as moles, acne or blemishes. The other option, “Create Texture,” should be used for larger areas, such as under-eye circles, wrinkles and birthmarks.

4. Step 4

   Click on the screen in the location of the problem area. If the proximity match mode is selected, click once on the area to make it blend with the rest of the skin. If the create texture mode is in use, drag the pointer across the entire surface area to blend it with the rest of the skin. Repeat this on any other problem areas.

When you’re using digital photographs on websites or sending them in emails, it’s often necessary to resize the image to create a smaller file size. This is easily accomplished by resizing the original image in Photoshop. When you resize an image file, don’t save the changes to the original file. Create a new file by using the “save as” command and designating a new file name.

1. Go to “Start” and open Photoshop.
2. Step 2

   Click on “File” in the upper left-hand corner of the Photoshop window.

3. Step 3

   In the menu that drops down, click on “Open” to call up the image file you wish to resize.

4. Step 4

   In the window that opens, find the image file you want to work on. Click on it to open it in Photoshop.

5. Step 5

   In the menu bar, click on “Image.”

6. Step 6

   In the drop-down menu, click on “Image Size.” The Image Size window will open, allowing you to make the desired changes.

7. Step 7

   Change the pixel count by entering a percentage or specifying the exact pixel number. Click on the arrow to the right of “Pixels” to choose pixels or percentages.

8. Step 8

   Type in the desired width or height under “Pixel Dimensions.” If you chose pixels, type in the quantity you want. If you chose percentage, type in the percentage of difference you want the new image to exhibit as compared to the original. You will only need to insert a change for either height or width, as the program will automatically change the other by a proportional amount.

9. Step 9

   Click “OK” to close the window and save your changes. Click “Cancel” if you want to close the window without making changes to the image size.

10. Step 10

    To save your new image file, click “File” and choose “Save as” from the drop-down menu.

11. Step 11

    In the pop-up menu, type in a new file name and click “Save.” This will create a new image file in the new size, while allowing you to keep the original file at the original size.