Step 1: Set the scanning mode to Line Art In the scanner dialogue box (varies dependant on your scanner and its software) you should be able to select a mode called Line Art. When you use this mode you are actually acquiring an image that is only all black and white pixels as opposed to tones. ...

In the Layer Style dialog box, up near the top, is the under-utilized Blending Options. Learning the basics of layer blending can take your images to the next level, and save you quite a bit of time with certain jobs...

It's generally understood in the Photoshop world that almost every image can benefit from judicious sharpening. Popping into the Unsharp Mask filter isn't your only option. Understanding sharpening can help you make the right choices...

In the first installment of this series, we looked at the theory of sharpening and how it works. Now let's take a look at the Sharpen filters and the Sharpen tool. Photoshop offers four Sharpen filters and a single Sharpen tool...

In the first two parts of this series, we looked at the theory of sharpening and the commands and tool available in Photoshop. In this installment, we'll look at some typical (and unusual) sharpening techniques and how to avoid common problems...

Using masks rather than the selection tools is somewhat like working in grayscale instead of bitmap mode. Masks offer much finer control of how filters, effects, and colors are applied.

Selections and masks are used to isolate parts of an image for editing. Masks offer far more flexibility and creative power than simple selections...

Over the past couple of columns, we've looked at selections and masks – what they are and how they work. This week, we'll explore creating and editing masks by working with the various tools and commands that allow you to take advantage of all 256 levels of "masked."

To create a custom brush from part of an existing image, first select the portion of the image you want to use. Here we selected the entire image of this rubber ducky. The area must be less than 1000x1000 pixels, since that is the largest bruch you can make...

1. Load an image in Photoshop, particularly one with a fine/wavy hair line
2. Choose Filter/Extract or Ctrl + Alt + X to load the Extract Window.
3. Select the Highlighter Tool and paint around the edge of the hair line. Choose the Red Color Fill...