Photoshop. Order of actions?

The first thing I do is resave any images from JPG to Photoshop format, otherwise each time you are saving compression is added.

With a bit of luck Count.D may have a lot to say on this subject however thre are lots of useful stuff on the web
eg

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photosection12.php3

There is a heap of PS references at http://porg.4t.com/

You are advised to get your screen calibrated so that you are getting the correct colour balance, contrast and brightness.

At the risk of exposing my innocence and being ridiculed by some, here is a potted version of my use of PS -

I use the Levels command to adjust the balance of the image, I bring in the end markers to slightly clip the bulk of the curve. I use the mid point to adjust the mid tones.
This often adds a fair bit of zip to an image

For brightness I additionally use Curves - lifting or lowering the centre point.

To change contrast I adjust the quarter points - raise the high one and lower the low one slightly to increase contrast and vice versa to lower the contrast.

I have found the The Photoshop book for digital photographers by Scott Kelby very helpful and attended a one day class given by Terry Steeley (I think) at the Apple Offices at Heathrow. I found out about the course at the Apple Show in London last Autumn

The more I dig in and read about PS the more I realise how much I do not know about the product.

If you get very keen you may be able to find classes locally on using PS.

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
I use the Levels command to adjust the balance of the image

I believe that any cropping should be done before this point.

Any re-sizing (reducing) should be done at the end, I think.

cheers, Martin