Beginners' Guide to Adobe Photoshop

Ever wanted to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop, but had no idea where to start? The wall of icons and menus can be intimidating.

Most Photoshop tutorials for beginners are really for people who are already familiar with the program. This tutorial goes right back to the DAWN OF TIME! :) ...and is designed to help people who are absolute Photoshop beginners.

This basic, thirty-minute tutorial is not a comprehensive instruction manual. It only teaches you the few simple features you need to know, to start using Adobe Photoshop. From there, you'll quickly discover most of the other features of the program yourself.

The images in this tutorial are from Adobe Photoshop 7.0, but they're very similar to those from newer versions, like Photoshop CS4.

Bookmark this page, load up Photoshop, and we'll begin the tutorial.

1 – Creating a New Image, and Setting Adobe Photoshop's Undo Option

Click File > New, and create a new image of any size you desire.

Press Ctrl+K to bring up the Preferences window.

Change your "Redo Key" to Ctrl+Shift+Z. This enables you to press Ctrl+Z at any time, to undo the last thing(s) you did. Remember this.

2 – Using Adobe Photoshop's Layers window

The Layers window shows the various layers that your image is made up of.

To make a new layer, click the New Layer button, as shown by the red arrow.

To work on a different layer, click on that layer. The eyeball will apear next to that layer.

You can drag layers up and down the list.

Remember – create a new layer for each part of your image. This allows you to go back and edit the layers individually. Every Adobe Photoshop beginner at some time makes a masterpiece, only to find out that they did it all on one layer, and now they can't remove those pink clouds they put on it. :)

3 – Learning about Selection

One of the most important concepts in Adobe Photoshop is Selection.

This is the Rectangular Selection Tool.

Use this tool on your image to select an area of the image. This lets Photoshop know that that's the area you want to work on.

4 – Adding to a Selection and making a square

To add to a selection, hold Shift before dragging.

Tomake the selection exactly square, start dragging, then hold Shift.

You can press Ctrl+D to "deselect" and remove the selection at any time.

5 – Elliptical Selections and subtracting Selections

Hold down on the Selection Tool on the Toolbar, and choose the Ellipse.

To move the selection, just click inside it and drag.

Holding Alt while selecting subtracts that area from the selection. I've done that with the Ellipse Selection Tool.

6 – A Selection exercise

If you're following this tutorial in Adobe Photoshop, see if you can make these shapes.

Other relevant Adobe Photoshop tools

Lasso Tool – Allows you to draw a selection area with the cursor.

Magic Wand – Summons elves. (Also believed to select an area of one colour.) :P

7 – Choosing a colour

Now that you know how to select an area in Adobe Photoshop, we can look at some tools that can do something with that area.

Before we get started on colouring your selection, you'll need to pick a colour.

This part of the Toolbox is where you select your colours.

The top square is the foreground colour. If you use a brush or paint bucket, it will apply this colour.

The bottom square is the background colour. It has various purposes, but it's also a good place to store a second colour that you're using.

Click on either square to change its colour.
Click the arrow to swap the two colours.
Click the little squares to reset the colours to black and white.

8 – The Paint Bucket and Gradient tools

These two tools share a button on the toolbar. To select one, click and hold.

On a new layer, just click the Paint Bucket tool inside the area of your selection to fill it with the colour you've selected.

Click and drag from one area to another to fill the area. The point where you started to click will be the colour of your foreground colour, and the point where you took your finger off the mouse button will be the colour of your background colour. The area in between will gradually change from one colour to the other.

In this case, I went from corner to corner, with the default white and black selected.

9 – A colour exercise

With what you've learned so far, you should be able to recreate this piece of hippy history. :)

Remember to create each step on a new layer.

Other Adobe Photoshop tools of interest include

The Text Tool – Just click it wherever you want text to appear. Choose a font, colour, and size, and start typing.

The Move Tool – Use this tool to drag things around. If you have a selection, it will drag the contents of the selection. If not, it will drag the contents of the layer you're on. 

10 – Adding Effects

Now that you know the basics, it's time to start adding some easy special effects.

To demonstrate Adobe Photoshop's special effects, here's an unembellished button for a website.

Each part of this image is on a separate layer.

11 – Key Adobe Photoshop Blending Options

In the Layers list, right-click on a layer, and select Blending Options.

This is a picture of the left-hand portion of the Blending Options window that will appear. (This image is from an older version of Photoshop, but it looks very similar in newer versions.)

Drop Shadow - Selecting this option will make your layer cast a shadow on layers below it.

Bevel and Emboss - Makes the layer like a block of gold bullion - raised in the centre, with edges that slope down. (This is a good effect for creating buttons.)

Texture - Makes the surface of the layer look like it's made of wood, stone etc. Use the "Overlay" setting.

Stroke - Stroke is just another word for "outline". A Stroke is useful to make an object stand out from its background.

12 – The end result

Other than using some of the Blending Options, nothing else has been done to this button.

It's really that easy.

A final few Adobe Photoshop features

Zoom: Press (Ctrl and +) to zoom in. Press (Ctrl and -) to zoom out. This is very useful if you're a bit of a pixel pirate :)

Transformation: To Transform (resize/rotate/distort) an object, press Ctrl+T. To Transform a selection, click Select > Transform Selection. Use the Shift key while transforming to stop the image distorting.

"Special Message"

I hope this tutorial has helped you get the idea of Adobe Photoshop. You can now face the "wall of random icons and palettes" with confidence. :)

Happy Photoshopping!

Strange facts of cricket -- Hilarious!!

Did you know that because of a decline in sports and an increase in financial hardships during the second world war, the cricket stadium at Christchurch, New Zealand (now known as the AMI Stadium) was converted into a potato patch!

During the 2002-2003 India tour of New Zealand, strange records were created during the 2nd Test at Hamilton. On the 3rd day of the test, each of the 4 innings were on display – the day started with India playing its 1st Innings and when the day folded, New Zealand’s second innings was in progress. India scored 98 in their 1st innings but went on to take a 1st innings lead, and in the process became the first team in the history of cricket to take a lead after being dismissed for less than 100 runs!

Sussex batsman H.J. Heygate was given out in a match with Somerset in 1919 because he didn’t reach the crease within two minutes of the fall of the previous wicket. Poor Heygate was crippled with rheumatism.

A team of one-legged cricketers played a team of one-armed cricketers in 1863. The one-legged team proposed from their opponents’ difficulties in catching the ball and won by 2 runs.

Club cricketer Lindsay Martin scored 100 off 20 deliveries for Rosewater against Warradale in 1987. He hit 13 sixes, five fours and two singles.

Surrey villagers Bookham beat the Electrical Trades Commercial Travellers Association CC in 1952 without scoring a run from the bat. The ETCTA were dismissed for 0, and then the first ball of the Bookham innings went for four byes.

The Test match between England and South Africa at Durban in 1939 was finally abandoned as a draw on the tenth day because England players had to catch their ship home.

Players of Horsham and South Hampstead fled the pitch when a menacing-looking bull appeared on the scene, having escaped from a nearby market. The only person left out in the middle was one of the umpires who thought it was a female of the species.

The Duke of Wellington played for All Ireland against Garrison in 1792, scoring 5 and 1.

When Abdul Aziz was injured in the first innings of a match in Karachi in 1959, the scorecard read: “Abdul Aziz retired hurt...0.” But the injury proved to be fatal, so far the second innings the scorer wrote: “Abdul Aziz did not bat, dead...0.”

The First Test between Young Sri Lanka and Young England at Columbo in 1987 was held up when a large iguana crept across the wicket.

South Africa ’s Hugh Tayfield bowled 16 consecutive eight-ball maiden overs against England in 1957.

To liven up a dull encounter between Sussex and Leicestershire, Sussex ’s John Snow bowled a ball of soap at batsman Peter Marner. The scorecard recorded the resultant contact between ball and bat as: “Ball exploded”.

A fielder in a match at Horncastle, Lincolnshire,w as struck on the head by a hang-glider making an unscheduled landing.

Pakistan Railways beat Dera Ismail Khan by an innings and 851 runs in 1964. In reply to the railwaymen’s 910 for 6 declared, Dera Ismail Khan were bowled out 32 and 27.

Cricket in Latvia began and ended when a policeman, sent to observe the strange game from close quarters, stopped a cover drive with his head. The game was immediately banned in Latvia for being too dangerous.

Batting at Kalgoorlie, Australia, in the 1970s, Stan Dawson was struck by a ball which set light to a box of matches in his trouser pocket. He was run out as he tried to beat down the flames.

England wicket-keeper Godfrey Evans once spent 1hr and 37min at the crase before scoring his first run. The occasion was a Test match against Australia at Adelaide in 1947. Evans went on to make 10 not out.

Despite having no left arm from the elbow down, Bob Ascough scored a century for Yorkshire club Staveley against Minskip in 1963.

Corporate etiquette and a proper handshake.

So, now that you have managed to bag that much sought after job and are all ready to attend your first day at work but you still have some doubts and you are feeling a bit unnerved. There are a few things about corporate etiquette that will make the way easier to trod, if you are well versed with them.

To begin with you must be groomed to the best of your ability if you want to make that very important first impression with the rest of the people you will be working with. You are probably anxious about the way you wear your tie. Does it rest over the belt or just above it? Do you engage someone in conversation and drop a hint of how you got in? Do you have to let anybody know at all? These are niggling thoughts that will have you lose sleep the night before.

So take a break from tension and do something to make yourself fit in a bit more. You should do some investigation and find out how the rest of the people at the new place dress. Do they wear half sleeved shirts with ties and can you wear sandals to work? Does the new set-up allow t-shirts and casual wear or do they have a special casual day to wear this attire? These are just a few questions that will get you to relax a bit.

When you finally have your answers you must inspect your wardrobe and add the kind of clothes you will need for your official days. If you decide that you need to wear a tie every day you will need at least three ties in your wardrobe. When you go shopping for ties you must keep in mind that Mickey Mouse ties are not official ties. Do keep the kind of shirts you have in mind before splurging on ties that will not match up.

Your shirts should include a few different colored shirts and at least two white shirts. Trousers should include a grey pair and one tan. A few months down the line you will be able to add a few more sets of clothing to your wardrobe and you will do just fine because you will have an idea of what the dressing trend at the office is and where it is going.

Some other things you need to know are as follows:

Never offer your hand to a lady first. Wait for her to offer hers when you are being introduced. While entering a room and there is a lady with you or entering at the same time open the door for her first. Never ask a lady her name, let her volunteer it, but go ahead and let her know yours. Do not make conversation for the first few days; you will have plenty of time to do so a week down the line.

Desist from speaking in your mother tongue when you meet a country cousin this especially important if there are others in the room who do not understand your language. Pay attention and try to catch any nuances being spoken and how it is being applied. Office language is a big barrier and you need to adapt to it if you want to fit in. Hon these skills and you will find that you are pretty comfortable at your new place of work.

A handshake is more than just a greeting. It is also a message about your personality and confidence level. In business, a handshake is an important tool in making the right first impression.

While the art of handshaking does vary within cultures, in the United States the “rules” are pretty universal.

1. Begin With an Oral Introduction of Yourself
Before extending your hand, introduce yourself. Extending your hand should be part of an introduction, not a replacement for using your voice. Extending your hand without a voice greeting may make you appear nervous or overly aggressive.
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2. Pump Your Hand Only 2-3 Times
A business handshake should be brief and to the point. Consider a handshake a short “sound bite” greeting, not a lengthy engagement. Holding on for more than three or four seconds can make other people feel uncomfortable.

3. Shake From Your Elbow
If you shake from the shoulder, using your upper arm instead of just your forearm, you risk jolting your handshake partner. The idea is to connect, not be overbearing.

4. Do Not Use a Forceful Grip
A handshake should be a friendly or respectful gesture, not a show of physical strength. An uncomfortable handshake is never a pleasant experience for anyone. Imagine you are opening a door handle and use about the same level of grip in your handshake.

5. Avoid Offering a “Fish Hand”
A limp hand is never a good idea when it comes to a business handshake. Do return the grip, but do not get into a power struggle, even if the other person squeezes too hard.

6. Forget “Lady Fingers”
This is not a Southern Cotillion, this is business. Offering only your fingers to shake may be appropriate in some social settings, but in business settings you are an equal, not a “lady.” Extend your entire hand, and be sure to grasp using your entire hand as well.

7. One Hand is Better than Two
Avoid the urge to handshake with two hands. It is always better in business introductions to use only one hand – your right hand – for the shake. The use of two hands with strangers is seen as intrusive, and too personal. In fact, a two-handed shake is called the “politician’s shake,” because it appears artificially friendly when used on people you barely know.

8. Shaking a Sweaty Hand
If you shake hands with someone who has sweaty palms, do not immediately wipe your hands on your clothing, handkerchief, or tissue. This will further embarrass the other person, who is probably already aware they have sweaty hands. You can discretely wipe them on something after you are out of site, and wash them later.
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9. Ending a Handshake
End the handshake after 3-4 seconds, or 2-3 pumps. In order to avoid creating an awkward moment, your shake should end before the oral introduction exchange does. Without conversation taking place during the entire handshake, it becomes too intimate, and can feel more like hand holding.

10. Covering Your Mistakes
Even if you make a mistake, do not panic. There are many ways to save the moment. If you are worried that your handshake did not convey the right message about yourself, simply change the focus of the moment by offering a quick compliment or asking the other person a question.

The Concept of Reverse Swing -- Explained

Some fast/swing bowlers rely heavily on swinging the ball to trouble batsmen. Naturally, there are known techniques and methods that such bowlers use to swing the ball. Sometimes the cricket ball swings in an unconventional manner, without a change in grip, seam position or bowling action. That unconventional swing is known as reverse swing.
There are many myths and theories surrounding reverse swing. Talk of reverse swing also arouses suspicion of sharp practice and brings controversy. Reverse swing is often confused with conventional swing and cricket players have different explanations or hypotheses about what causes it. The idea of reverse swing or unconventional swing can be tricky to grasp. However, you can understand it in the context of swing in general.
What is swing?
Swing is caused by pressure differentials caused by aerodynamic differences between two sides of a cricket ball. Asymmetrical points of separation of air on different sides of the ball creates the pressure differential. When the separation is delayed on one side of the ball, the resultant pressure difference in forward motion generates a side force that is called 'swing'.
The seam position, velocity of the ball and difference in the surface of the ball affect the strength of the side force that pushes the ball either into the batsman (in-swing) or away from the batsman (out-swing). With conventional swing the ball swings toward the rough side because of increased drag and inferior aerodynamics.
A fast medium bowler can generate swing with a new ball by virtue of the seam position. The ball is delivered with a seam that is angled against the line of flight. The seam should spin with minimum wobble for maximum swing. With the new ball, the bowler's action generates the swing. One of the master's of swing bowling, Wasim Akram stated that conventional and unconventional swing is dependent on both the condition of the ball and the bowler's action.

What causes reverse swing?
Reverse swing is so-called because the ball swings in a manner that is contrary to the way the seam position and asymmetrical surface of the ball suggests it should. Reverse swings can be defined by:
a) The ball swinging toward the shiny side instead of the rough side
b) The ball swinging in a manner opposite to the seam position
With conventional swing, the ball swings toward the rough side because that side moves slower through the air. With fast bowlers and the new ball, the angled, upright seam produces swingGet a Widget for this title Understanding the art of reverse swing in cricket
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other than it would at lower speeds. This seems to defy logic but it relies on a combination of factors:
i) Bowler's action and speed
ii) Age of the ball
iii) Atmospheric conditions- humidity
According to Scientist Rabindra Mehta, true reverse swing is defined by the ball swinging in a position opposed to that of the seam. Conventional swing can only occur up to a certain speed threshold since increased velocity in the forward motion reduces the effect of pressure differentials on the ball. At higher speeds, however, the velocity magnifies the role of the seam position.
The seam's influence causes the boundary layer of air to separate earlier at the top of the ball than the bottom. This suggests that fast bowlers bowling upward of 90 miles an hour can only get reverse swing, not conventional swing. What makes reverse swing so special is that it is achieved without a change of grip or seam position.
Reverse swing is caused by the seam position disturbing the normal flow of air around the ball. AT the right speed, this can dominate the effect of the pressure differentials from the polished and rough surfaces of the ball.
In his autobiography, Marcus Trescothick suggested that he sucked mints to add shine to the ball to produce reverse swing. Many former cricket players from past eras- like Ian Chappell- ridiculed the idea. There is not yet any evidence to suggest that the swing that England's bowlers got in the 2005 Ashes series was because of mint conditioning of the ball.

The problem with reverse swing
Cricket is riddled with terms used to explain the unconventional or unexpected. Googly and doosra are used to identify balls that go the 'wrong way'. When spinners bowled off breaks with a leg break action, cricket had to come to terms with the anomaly. With "reverse swing" it is similar. Reverse swing is either in-swing or out-swing that defies normal expectation. In scientific terms, there are just different ways of producing in-swing and out-swing or it is a case of one force over-ruling another.
The controversy with reverse swing stems from the association of reverse swing with ball tampering- particularly with Pakistan fast bowlers- and that it is not fully understood in all cricket quarters. It is true that ball tampering can aid "reverse swing." If the fielding team interferes with the seam position on the shiny side of the ball, that would create extra drag on the shinier side. Technically, any object on the shiny side of the ball (dirt for instance) can interefere with its properties and behaviour.

Just as the googly and doosra is the spinner's "wrong one", "reverse swing" is the swing bowler's alternative. "Reverse swing" will remain part of cricket terminology and will be a lethal weapon for its exponents.