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Last Updated: 11:26 AM GMT on June 08, 2009
— Last Comment: 3:03 PM GMT on July 04, 2009
I had been teaching twenty some odd years, had the lesson plans written, the effective approaches and stock of answers all handy when the first morning after Spring break I was called to the school conference room. One empty chair remained, the principal, vocational director and human resources director were all seated.As I sat and listened, my hopes sank.The Architectural and Mechanical CAD program was to be updated and integrated into a brand new technology program.I was being furloughed while a new space for the program was constructed.I had only a year to get certified to teach it.
Back to college! Change! Competition! It had been 25 years and now I was being forced, while mentally screaming and kicking against it, to deal with decades of technological progress. I was competing with gizmo gals and gadget guys who thrived in a hectic technological environment.(I'm sure, there are lots of folks in today's economic climate who are, sadly, facing similar situations.) With the help of many generous souls, I made my transition. I learned to rebuild engines, trace electrical problems, produce videos and manage the morning news broadcast-LIVE! I also learned to use a digital camera and Photoshop. My biggest asset was that my students shared their knowledge and creativity every day so my continued technical education was turbocharged when I returned to teaching in the newly constructed Technology Lab. We worked/learned in a state of the art technology lab where my students progressed through what is called self paced modules. My teaching style has always been that of a mentor/coach so I felt right at home in the collaborative atmosphere. As part of my responsibilities, I researched and wrote the self paced module manuals for newest technologies so what I am doing here in my WU blog platforms on those skills. The benefit of those experiences is that sharing a skill I now use in Photoshop is fairly easy for me. I just screen capture the steps of a technique and save them. Then I go back and write the step description to go with each screen capture, upload the screen captures and include them in my blog. Several photographers here asked how I did this recent photo. I used PhotoShop 7 but Photoshop Elements will work as well.  So here are the steps. STEP 1  Go ahead and edit/enhance your image as you usually do first, then use this technique. STEP 2  The two tools you will use are the Lasso tool (right click to see all the selection tools - then pick Lasso if you don't see it on your palette) to isolate the portion of the image you want to keep and the Feather tool which determines the width (in pixels) of the blend area between the image portion you keep and the background you will discard. STEP 3  Using the Lasso tool outline the portion of the image that you want to keep. In my case I outlined the pelican. STEP 4  You will want to keep what you have selected and discard the background so you will have to switch your selection off the main subject. To do this, go up the the Select menu and slide down to Inverse. You will notice the selection dashes change.  Now the isolation dashes encompass the image out line to the pelican outline and the space in between. STEP 5  Click on the background color box then, using the Eyedropper tool, pick a color for the background from your image or the color chart. I usually pick a image color or white or black. In this case I decided on white (tho the box shows beige). STEP 6  Use the pull-down EDIT menu to Clear the background and replace it with your chosen background color. (In Elements use Edit/fill for the same effect) STEP 7  Last step, deselect the isolated background space by using the SELECT/deselect menu.  The final result! Now it's your turn, print out these directions and try it on one of your photos. Feel free to share your results here. Coming up next... Adding a frame to your photos using internet software. Previous Tutorial Sharpening Your Photos
Okay it's the time for the 2nd annual "Peace on Earth" photo upload. Last year we tried to get the word out for everyone who uploaded a photo on Christmas day to title it "Peace on Earth" as our collective message to the world.Once uploaded, I would add it to the Peace on Earth Photos blog.Everyone seemed to enjoy the process so let's give it another shot (photographically speaking).The photo that you select to upload doesn't have be current, just upload it with its...
From the NY Times, 06/10/2008A stalled storm system poured heavy rain on parts of the Midwest on Monday, setting off severe flooding in Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin, where already swollen rivers and lakes overflowed their banks, broke through dams and created havoc for thousands of residents.The stationary storm aggravated a dangerously soggy situation. Thunderstorms that began late last week had brought 6 to 10 inches of rain to parts of the region, meteorologists s...
SUNDAY Peace on Earth Photo SeriesUPDATEContinuing the Peace On Earth photo messages started last December during the holidays, the goal is to have every photo uploaded this coming Sunday have "Peace on Earth" as its title. Go ahead and take your photo and be ready on Sunday to add it to the WU current galleries. Thank you for a message that is true for all of us, regardless of nationality, or religion.It started with Teach50’s sunset “Peace on Earth” on Chris...
I visit this site often and I am amazed at the number of really good photos that I see here. But I am often disappointed with the sharpness of those images. Here are an examples of what I mean, showing the before and after difference that can be achieved with just a few changes in the order of what you do in a photo editor before you up load here.SharpenedLess SharpMost photos just out of a digital camera have a sensor soft look, especially if it has been set for la...
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