Introduction to Photoshop

This resource provides a step-by-step introduction to the basic tools in Photoshop. A great starting point for students who have never used this software.

(subscription only)

Activity: 1-2 lessons

Text Effects

Students can follow a set of video tutorials and learn how to create different text effects using Photoshop

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Overlaying images

Students create the image shown on the right.

Images and instructions are provided.

Skills: overlaying images, layer effects i.e. difference, overlay, polygonal lasso, feathering

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Impressionist images

Students use a standard photograph to create the impressionist image shown on the right.

They can then use their own images or photographs of themselves to practice the techniques learned.

Images and video tutorial instructions are provided.

Skills: filters, overlays, merging layers

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Colour overlay

Students take an image and learn to blend colours to overlay that image.

Image and video tutorial instructions are provided.

Once students have learned the techniques they can use their own images to get further practice.

(subscription only)

Activity: 30 minutes

Photo overlay

Students take an image and then overlay small photographs to create a stylish effect

Image and video tutorial instructions are provided.

Once students have learned the techniques they can use their own images to get further practice.

(subscription only)

Activity: 30 minutes

Filter Twirl Effect

Students take create their own amazing patterns and background images using different filter techniques

Video tutorial instructions are provided.

Once students have learned the techniques they use their own settings and options to get further practice.

(subscription only)

Activity: 30 minutes

Starburst Effect

Students take create their own starburst image using filters

Video tutorial instructions are provided.

Once students have learned the techniques they use their own settings and options to get further practice.

(subscription only)

Activity: 35 minutes

Starburst

Step-by-step instructions are provided for students to follow and create this striking starburst pattern.

Instructions are written for Photoshop Elements. However, they could be adapted to run with Photoshop.

Skills: custom shape tools, brushes, rotate, filters

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Religious Collage

A great opportunity for cross curricular work.

Step-by-step instructions are provided for students to follow and create this collage of religious images.

Instructions are written for Photoshop Elements. However, they could be adapted to run with Photoshop.

Note that the instructions are text heavy. They may not be suitable for all students.

Skills: overlaying images, polygonal lasso, feathering

(subscription only)

Activity: 2 lessons

Magic Forest

Step-by-step instructions are provided for students to follow and create this magical forest scene.

The images required to complete this task are provided.

Instructions are written for Photoshop Elements. However, they could be adapted to run with Photoshop.

Skills: hue and saturation, polygonal lasso, feathering, overlaying images, brushes

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

iPod Girl

Students create the image shown on the right.

Step-by-step instructions are provided in the video tutorial (Photoshop).

Skills: magnetic lasso, create custom shape, gradient fill

(subscription only)

Activity: 30 minutes

download tutorial here

Reflective Image

Students create the image shown on the right.

Step-by-step instructions are provided in the video tutorial (Photoshop).

Skills: magnetic lasso, transforming image, gradient tool, layer mask

(subscription only)

Activity: 30 minutes

download tutorial here

Pencil drawing from a photograph

Students create the image shown on the right.

Step-by-step instructions are provided in the video tutorial (Photoshop).

Skills: colour dodge, gaussian filter, hue and saturation

(subscription only)

Activity: 20 minutes

download tutorial here

Overlaying images

Students create the image shown on the right.

Images and instructions are provided.

Skills: overlaying images, layer effects i.e. difference, overlay, polygonal lasso, feathering

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Religious Collage

A great opportunity for cross curricular work.

Step-by-step instructions are provided for students to follow and create this collage of religious images.

Instructions are written for Photoshop Elements. However, they could be adapted to run with Photoshop.

Note that the instructions are text heavy. They may not be suitable for all students.

Skills: overlaying images, polygonal lasso, feathering

(subscription only)

Activity: 2 lessons

Magic Forest

Step-by-step instructions are provided for students to follow and create this magical forest scene.

The images required to complete this task are provided.

Instructions are written for Photoshop Elements. However, they could be adapted to run with Photoshop.

Skills: hue and saturation, polygonal lasso, feathering, overlaying images, brushes

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson

Black and white photo with some colour

Step-by-step guide showing how to create a contemporary black and white image with a focus of colour.

Uses Paint.net - online, free to use image editing software

Kindly contributed by Dan Phelan

Activity: 30 minutes

Creating Tessellations (Art and ICT)

Students use Microsoft Paint and create a tessellation from a small section of an image

(subscription only)

Activity: 1 lesson