[English 101] PHOTO EDITING - Terms for filters, cropping, and digital tools

Teaching Material

1. I applied a vintage filter to my selfie.
• Filter (noun) - A preset or custom effect that modifies the color, tone, or style of a photo.
• Use 'filter' when discussing quick and easy transformations to images. It’s common in casual conversation about making photos look unique. Perfect for social media or when exploring editing apps.
• “Do you think this black-and-white filter suits the mood?”
• Effect - Choose 'effect' when you want a broader term for transformations, especially when describing multiple changes or special looks.
2. I cropped out the messy background in my photo.
• Crop (verb) - To cut or trim the edges of an image to improve framing or composition.
• Use 'crop' when you want to remove distracting or unnecessary parts of an image. It's commonly used to focus on a subject or fit a platform’s size requirement.
• “Can you crop this picture so only my face is visible?”
• Trim - Use 'trim' when casually referring to minor cuts in pictures, though it’s less specific than ‘crop’ in editing software.
3. She resized the picture to fit the website’s requirements.
• Resize (verb) - To change the dimensions of an image, usually to make it smaller or larger.
• Say 'resize' when you need an image to meet certain pixel dimensions or file size limits, often done before posting online or sending via email.
• “Should I resize these images before emailing them?”
• Scale - Use 'scale' in design or professional settings when referring to proportional enlargement or reduction.
4. He rotated the photo by 90 degrees to straighten it.
• Rotate (verb) - To turn an image clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Employ 'rotate' when your picture is oriented incorrectly or to creatively adjust angles. It’s a straightforward command in most editing apps.
• “My photo uploaded sideways. Could you rotate it for me?”
• Turn - Use ‘turn’ in casual conversation when discussing a slight or general repositioning of an image.
5. Increasing the exposure brightened the entire image.
• Exposure (noun) - The amount of light a photo receives, affecting its brightness or darkness.
• Use 'exposure' when discussing the brightness balance in an image. Commonly adjusted to correct underexposed (dark) or overexposed (bright) photos.
• “This picture is too dark. Could you fix the exposure?”
• Light level - Use ‘light level’ casually when you want a simple term for how bright or dark a photo is.
6. High contrast made the photo look dramatic.
• Contrast (noun) - The difference between the darkest and lightest parts of an image.
• Use 'contrast' to emphasize the separation between shadows and highlights. It’s key to adding depth and detail to pictures.
• “I like a bold contrast to make the colors pop.”
• Tonal difference - Say ‘tonal difference’ in a technical discussion about how shadows and highlights balance each other.
7. Adjust the brightness if the photo looks too dim.
• Brightness (noun) - How light or dark the overall image appears.
• Use ‘brightness’ when fine-tuning an image’s overall light level. It’s common in daily conversation about making photos easier to see.
• “Could you increase the brightness? It’s too dark in here.”
• Luminance - Use ‘luminance’ in more formal or professional photography contexts, particularly when precise levels matter.
8. She increased the saturation to make the blue sky pop.
• Saturation (noun) - The intensity or vividness of colors in a photo.
• Use ‘saturation’ when you want to emphasize how vibrant or muted colors are. Ideal for giving images a lively or subtle tone.
• “I want the colors to stand out; can you bump up the saturation?”
• Color intensity - Use ‘color intensity’ when explaining changes to the strength of hues without sounding too technical.
9. Tweaking the hue gave the picture a warmer feel.
• Hue (noun) - A specific color or shade in an image, such as red, blue, or green.
• Use ‘hue’ to talk about shifting specific colors in an image. It's frequently mentioned when balancing skin tones or creative color changes.
• “This hue looks too green. Could you make it a bit more blue?”
• Shade - Use ‘shade’ casually when you want a simpler term for the level of darkness of a color.
10. A slight pink tint gave the photo a romantic vibe.
• Tint (noun) - A slight coloration applied to an image, usually to modify its overall color balance.
• Use ‘tint’ to talk about subtle color overlays. It’s useful for adding a mood or theme to pictures without altering them too drastically.
• “I added a warm tint to match the sunset’s glow.”
• Color cast - Use ‘color cast’ when discussing accidental or intentional shifts in color that affect the whole image.
11. I sharpened the image to make the text more readable.
• Sharpen (verb) - To enhance the edges and details in a photo, making it look clearer.
• Use ‘sharpen’ to improve clarity in photos, especially if the image looks fuzzy. It helps define contours and details.
• “My picture looks blurry; can you sharpen it a bit?”
• Clarify - Use ‘clarify’ when describing a subtle increase in detail without sounding too technical.
12. He added blur to the background for a portrait effect.
• Blur (verb) - To soften or obscure details, often used to create a sense of depth or focus attention.
• Use ‘blur’ when you want to reduce sharpness, either to hide distractions or make a subject stand out. Helpful for a professional portrait look.
• “Could you blur the messy background so I’m the main focus?”
• Soften - Use ‘soften’ in a casual way to describe gently reducing sharpness, often for a dreamy effect.
13. I added a slight vignette to highlight the subject.
• Vignette (noun) - A dark or light fade around the edges of a photo, drawing focus to the center.
• Use ‘vignette’ to subtly frame the subject. It helps direct the viewer’s eyes and can add a dramatic or nostalgic feel.
• “This vignette really pulls the attention towards the middle.”
• Edge fade - Use ‘edge fade’ for a simpler description of gradually shading or lightening the borders.
14. Correcting the white balance removed the yellowish tint.
• White Balance (noun phrase) - A camera or editing setting that adjusts color to make the photo look more natural.
• Use ‘white balance’ to accurately represent colors under different lighting. It’s often the first step in serious photo editing to ensure true-to-life hues.
• “The photo seems too warm. Let’s fix the white balance.”
• Color temperature - Use ‘color temperature’ when describing the tone of your image, especially in more advanced color correction tasks.
15. The red eye correction tool fixed the flash glare in her eyes.
• Red Eye Correction (noun phrase) - A feature that removes the red glow in eyes caused by flash photography.
• Use ‘red eye correction’ to fix that common flash issue. It’s straightforward, especially in quick editing apps or camera software.
• “I used red eye correction so the family photo doesn’t look spooky.”
16. I retouched my portrait to remove small spots.
• Retouch (verb) - To improve or alter a photo by removing blemishes or unwanted elements.
• Use ‘retouch’ when making subtle or cosmetic adjustments. It’s popular for portraits or professional headshots to look polished but natural.
• “Could you retouch this shot to get rid of the pimple on my forehead?”
• Touch up - Use ‘touch up’ in casual talk to describe small improvements, like adjusting minor imperfections or enhancing details.
17. The Healing Brush tool quickly cleared up scratches on the photo.
• Healing Brush (noun phrase) - A tool that samples nearby areas to remove blemishes or unwanted spots.
• Use ‘Healing Brush’ when referring to a specific feature found in photo editors like Photoshop. Ideal for small, detailed fixes.
• “I’ll use the Healing Brush to fix that mark on the old picture.”
18. I used the Clone Stamp to remove the telephone pole from the sky.
• Clone Stamp (noun phrase) - A tool that copies one part of the image to another area to hide or duplicate content.
• Use ‘Clone Stamp’ for more precise control over image duplication. Great when you have patterns or need to remove large objects seamlessly.
• “Could you Clone Stamp that blemish on the wall so it blends with the background?”
19. Working with layers makes non-destructive editing possible.
• Layers (plural noun) - Different levels in an editing program where elements are placed and can be independently modified.
• Use ‘layers’ to talk about stacking elements or edits. It’s a fundamental concept for editing flexibility, allowing quick revisions without affecting the entire image.
• “Try adding a new layer for text, so we can move it around easily.”
20. I flattened the image before exporting to a simpler format.
• Flatten (verb) - To merge all layers into a single layer, reducing edit flexibility but saving file size.
• Use ‘flatten’ after finalizing your work. It consolidates changes but you lose separate layer control, so make sure you’re done editing first.
• “Should we flatten this file now, or keep the layers for future edits?”
• Merge down - Use ‘merge down’ in tools like Photoshop when you only need to join specific layers, not the entire image.
21. I merged the text layer and the shape layer for simplicity.
• Merge (verb) - To combine multiple layers or elements into one.
• Use ‘merge’ to consolidate selected layers. It’s helpful for keeping your file neat, but remember to save a backup if you need separate layers later.
• “Let’s merge these layers to keep the project organized.”
22. I added an Adjustment Layer for hue so I can tweak colors anytime.
• Adjustment Layer (noun phrase) - A layer that applies changes like brightness or contrast without altering the original image data.
• Use ‘Adjustment Layer’ to keep edits non-destructive. It’s crucial for professional workflows, allowing flexible and reversible changes.
• “Put that contrast change on an Adjustment Layer so we can turn it off if needed.”
23. I saved my favorite look as a preset to use again later.
• Preset (noun) - A pre-configured set of editing adjustments, like filters or color profiles, for quick application.
• Use ‘preset’ when you want consistency and speed in editing. Handy for applying a signature style across multiple images.
• “Do you have any cinematic presets I can try?”
• Template - Use ‘template’ in a broader sense for design or layout aspects, not just color adjustments.
24. Using the Adjustment Brush, I brightened just her face.
• Adjustment Brush (noun phrase) - A tool that applies edits (e.g., exposure, color) selectively to specific areas of the image.
• Use ‘Adjustment Brush’ for localized edits. Great when only part of an image needs color or light changes without affecting the entire photo.
• “I’ll use the Adjustment Brush for that shadowy corner.”
25. I straightened the picture so the horizon line was level.
• Straighten (verb) - To align or fix the horizon in a photo, correcting a tilted angle.
• Use ‘straighten’ to correct an uneven shot, especially important for landscapes or architectural photos. Makes images look more professional.
• “That photo is slightly crooked; can you straighten it?”
26. The standard aspect ratio for Instagram stories is 9:16.
• Aspect Ratio (noun phrase) - The proportional relationship between an image’s width and height.
• Use ‘aspect ratio’ to ensure images fit different platforms or screens properly. Helps avoid awkward cropping or stretching.
• “What aspect ratio should I use for a YouTube thumbnail?”
27. Adjusting perspective fixed the leaning buildings in my shot.
• Perspective (noun) - The sense of depth or spatial relationship in a photo, which can be adjusted for distortion.
• Use ‘perspective’ to address distortion in architecture or group photos. Correcting it makes images look more natural or stylized, depending on your goal.
• “Can you fix the perspective so the lines look straight?”
28. I used a mask to apply saturation only on the subject.
• Mask (noun) - An editing layer or section that reveals or conceals parts of an image or adjustment.
• Use ‘mask’ for precise editing control over which areas are affected. It’s a core feature for selective adjustments without permanent changes.
• “Add a mask if you only want to brighten her face, not the entire shot.”
29. The gradient tool blended purple into pink seamlessly.
• Gradient (noun) - A gradual blend between colors or transparency levels in an image.
• Use ‘gradient’ when you need a smooth transition between shades or transparency. It adds depth or flair to your design.
• “I added a gradient background behind the product to make it pop.”
• Color fade - Use ‘color fade’ as a simpler term for describing a smooth shift between two hues.
30. I took a snapshot before making drastic color changes.
• Snapshot (noun) - A saved state of your workspace or image at a specific editing point, useful to revert or compare.
• Use ‘snapshot’ for quick references during editing. It helps you jump back to previous states without undoing all steps.
• “Let’s create a snapshot now, so we can compare before and after.”
• Checkpoint - Say ‘checkpoint’ in casual or gaming-like references when you need a milestone to revert to if something goes wrong.
31. I hit undo when I realized I deleted the wrong layer.
• Undo (verb) - To reverse the last action taken in editing or design work.
• Use ‘undo’ to revert mistakes or undesired changes quickly. A lifesaver for trial-and-error editing or accidental clicks.
• “Oops, that change looks bad. Can you just undo it?”
32. I decided to redo the color adjustment after all.
• Redo (verb) - To reapply an action you just undid, restoring a previous edit.
• Use ‘redo’ to bring back a reversed step. Helpful if you second-guess your undo choice and want the change after all.
• “Wait, actually, the change was good—can you redo it?”
33. I exported the final photo as a JPEG.
• Export (verb) - To save or render your edited file into a chosen format or location.
• Use ‘export’ when finishing your project and needing a shareable format or smaller file. It’s essential to finalize and distribute images.
• “Don’t forget to export the edited images for our presentation.”
• Save as - Use ‘save as’ casually if you just want a new copy in a different format or name.
34. I imported the old family picture into Photoshop.
• Import (verb) - To bring an external file or image into your editing software or project.
• Use ‘import’ when you need to pull files from your computer, camera, or online source into an editing program. It’s a starting step in editing.
• “Could you import the logo so we can add it to this design?”
35. The metadata showed the photo was taken in low light with a high ISO.
• Metadata (noun) - Information stored within a file about its details, like date, camera, or settings used.
• Use ‘metadata’ to discuss behind-the-scenes data about an image. Essential for organizing, archiving, or reviewing how a photo was captured.
• “Check the metadata to see the camera settings for that shot.”
36. I browsed the thumbnails to quickly find the picture I needed.
• Thumbnail (noun) - A small preview image, often used to organize files or display multiple images at once.
• Use ‘thumbnail’ for referencing mini previews of images or videos. Useful in a quick conversation about scanning through a folder.
• “The thumbnails help me see which photo is which before editing.”
37. I added a watermark with my name to protect my photos online.
• Watermark (noun) - A logo or text placed on an image to indicate ownership or prevent unauthorized use.
• Use ‘watermark’ when discussing intellectual property or branding. It’s also a deterrent to image theft in professional contexts.
• “Can you apply a small watermark in the corner before sharing them?”
38. Shooting in HDR captured the sunset’s bright sky and darker foreground details.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) (noun phrase) - A technique or setting that expands the range of brightness for more detail in highlights and shadows.
• Use ‘HDR’ when you want rich contrast and detail in tricky lighting. It’s popular for landscapes and high-contrast scenes.
• “Should I enable HDR to get a better sky detail in this shot?”
39. I dodged around the eyes to make them pop.
• Dodge (verb) - A tool that lightens a specific area of the photo, originally from darkroom techniques.
• Use ‘dodge’ for selective brightening. Good for drawing attention to certain features, especially in portrait photography.
• “Could you dodge that shadow on my face a bit?”
40. Burning the corners created a vignette-like effect.
• Burn (verb) - A tool that darkens a specific area of the photo, originally from darkroom techniques.
• Use ‘burn’ for selective darkening. It’s helpful in controlling overly bright areas, ensuring details don’t get washed out.
• “Let’s burn that overly bright spot so it blends better.”
41. Color correction made the indoor lighting look more natural.
• Color Correction (noun phrase) - Adjusting colors to achieve a realistic or intended tone, fixing any unwanted color casts.
• Use ‘color correction’ to fix unbalanced hues or lighting issues. It’s a fundamental step for professional and everyday editing.
• “I’ll do a quick color correction to remove the yellowish tint.”
42. Using levels, I increased the dark tones for more depth.
• Levels (plural noun) - A tool that controls the range of tones from black to white in an image.
• Use ‘levels’ when precisely correcting an image’s tonal balance. Helps set the darkest and lightest points for better overall contrast.
• “Try adjusting the levels to make the whites brighter.”
43. I used curves to tweak the highlights without affecting the shadows.
• Curves (plural noun) - A more advanced tool than levels for adjusting brightness and contrast across different tonal ranges.
• Use ‘curves’ for fine-tuned tone adjustments. Great if you need precise control over shadows, midtones, and highlights in separate channels.
• “Curves can give you more control than levels if you’re comfortable with it.”
44. Reducing highlights recovered some detail in the bright sky.
• Highlights (plural noun) - The brightest areas of an image.
• Use ‘highlights’ when discussing bright sections of a photo. Adjusting them can rescue detail in otherwise overexposed areas.
• “The highlights are blown out—could you tone them down?”
45. Lifting the shadows revealed details in the dark corners.
• Shadows (plural noun) - The darkest regions of an image.
• Use ‘shadows’ to reference dark areas that may hold hidden details. Adjusting them can balance the overall exposure.
• “It’s too dark under that tree. Can we brighten the shadows?”
46. Adjusting midtones slightly brightened the subject’s face.
• Midtones (plural noun) - The middle range of tones in a photo, between highlights and shadows.
• Use ‘midtones’ for subtle overall brightness adjustments without affecting extreme highlights or shadows. Key for balanced editing.
• “The midtones look a bit flat. Let’s give them a little boost.”
47. Applying noise reduction smoothed out the grainy photo.
• Noise Reduction (noun phrase) - A process to minimize digital artifacts or grain in low-light or high-ISO images.
• Use ‘noise reduction’ to make low-light images cleaner, but be careful not to lose too much detail. Often best applied conservatively.
• “The nighttime shot is too grainy. Let’s try noise reduction.”
48. Lens correction straightened out the curved lines in the photo.
• Lens Correction (noun phrase) - A feature to fix distortions or imperfections caused by a camera lens.
• Use ‘lens correction’ when photos appear warped or have fringing. Great for architectural and interior shots to maintain natural lines.
• “That wide-angle lens caused barrel distortion; let’s do lens correction.”
49. Removing chromatic aberration cleaned up the purple fringing.
• Chromatic Aberration (noun phrase) - Color fringing around edges in a photo due to lens limitations.
• Use ‘chromatic aberration’ to describe that rainbow-like outline in high-contrast edges. Editing software often has a quick fix tool.
• “I notice chromatic aberration on the tree branches; can you fix that?”
50. For smooth skin editing, I used frequency separation on her portrait.
• Frequency Separation (noun phrase) - An advanced retouching method separating texture and color for more precise edits.
• Use ‘frequency separation’ for refined portrait retouching. It keeps details sharp while allowing color adjustments or blemish fixes on separate layers.
• “Frequency separation helps me remove blemishes without losing texture.”
51. Shooting in RAW gave me more flexibility to edit exposure later.
• RAW (noun/adjective) - An uncompressed file format containing all data from the camera sensor, ideal for detailed editing.
• Use ‘RAW’ when discussing maximum editing potential. More detail is retained, but files are larger and require specialized software to process.
• “I always prefer RAW for post-processing freedom.”
52. I saved the final photo as a JPEG for easy sharing.
• JPEG (noun) - A common compressed image format, smaller file size with some quality loss.
• Use ‘JPEG’ for everyday sharing or web use. It’s widely supported but not as flexible for major edits due to compression losses.
• “A JPEG is fine for most online uploads.”
53. She exported the image as a TIFF for the printing lab.
• TIFF (noun) - A high-quality file format often used in printing or professional workflows.
• Use ‘TIFF’ for maximum fidelity when printing or archiving. It retains layers and detail, but the file size can be large.
• “Should I send you the TIFF version for better quality?”
54. The logo was exported as PNG to keep a transparent background.
• PNG (noun) - A lossless image format supporting transparency, commonly used for graphics or logos.
• Use ‘PNG’ for images needing transparency or crisp edges, like logos or text overlays. Perfect for web graphics without losing clarity.
• “Could you send me a PNG so I can layer it over the poster?”
55. Zooming in too much reveals the pixels in the photo.
• Pixel (noun) - The smallest individual element in a digital image or display.
• Use ‘pixel’ when referring to image resolution or digital clarity. It’s essential to know how many pixels are in your canvas for quality control.
• “How many pixels wide should the banner be?”
56. A higher resolution means more detail in the final image.
• Resolution (noun) - The number of pixels in an image, often expressed as width x height or PPI/DPI.
• Use ‘resolution’ to discuss image clarity and detail. Key for printing large photos or ensuring crisp online graphics.
• “What resolution do we need for a clear print?”
57. For sharp prints, aim for at least 300 DPI.
• DPI (noun) - Dots per inch, a measure of an image’s print clarity.
• Use ‘DPI’ primarily when preparing images for physical printing. Higher DPI yields better print quality but larger file sizes.
• “We should check the DPI before sending these to the printer.”
58. I expanded the canvas to add more space for text.
• Canvas (noun) - The workspace or area where you edit or draw in editing software.
• Use ‘canvas’ to talk about the digital editing area. Adjusting its size can help accommodate extra elements or improve composition.
• “Try adjusting the canvas size before we place the logo.”
59. I used transform to resize and rotate the layer simultaneously.
• Transform (verb) - A command allowing changes in scale, rotation, skew, or perspective of a layer or object.
• Use ‘transform’ for versatile adjustments to any layer. It's a core tool for shaping or repositioning elements precisely.
• “Could you transform that text so it fits the angle of the billboard?”
60. I converted the logo into a Smart Object to scale it without losing clarity.
• Smart Object (noun phrase) - A layer containing image data for non-destructive editing, preserving source quality.
• Use ‘Smart Object’ in programs like Photoshop for flexible resizing and filters. Helps avoid quality loss during multiple edits.
• “Make that layer a Smart Object if you plan on resizing it often.”
61. I used batch processing to add a watermark to 50 photos.
• Batch Processing (noun phrase) - Applying the same edit or action to multiple images at once.
• Use ‘batch processing’ to speed up repetitive tasks like resizing or watermarking. Especially handy for large photosets or event coverage.
• “Batch processing will save time if we need the same adjustment across all shots.”
62. The film-like color grading gave the photo a cinematic quality.
• Color Grading (noun phrase) - Enhancing or stylizing the color palette of an image for artistic effect.
• Use ‘color grading’ to talk about creative color enhancement. It goes beyond correction, focusing on mood or style.
• “I’m going for a moody vibe—let’s do some color grading.”
63. Split toning gave the shadows a cool blue tint and the highlights a warm orange glow.
• Split Toning (noun phrase) - Applying different colors to the highlights and shadows for a distinct look.
• Use ‘split toning’ to produce creative color blends. It’s popular for artistic or vintage looks, especially in portrait or landscape photography.
• “Try split toning for that retro color style in the highlights and shadows.”
64. I used the Brush Tool to paint black on the mask and hide parts of the layer.
• Brush Tool (noun phrase) - A tool simulating a paintbrush for coloring, masking, or retouching specific areas.
• Use ‘Brush Tool’ for precise, freehand adjustments. It’s essential in digital art, retouching, or selectively applying edits.
• “Grab the Brush Tool if you want to manually edit specific spots.”
65. I used the Lasso Tool to select the subject roughly.
• Lasso Tool (noun phrase) - A selection tool that lets you draw freeform outlines around an area to isolate it.
• Use ‘Lasso Tool’ when you need a quick, freehand way to isolate areas in an image. Great for irregular shapes but can be imprecise.
• “Use the Lasso Tool to make a quick outline, then refine the selection.”
66. The Magic Wand easily selected the white background.
• Magic Wand (noun phrase) - A selection tool that picks areas of similar color or tone in a single click.
• Use ‘Magic Wand’ to quickly select sections like skies or solid backgrounds. It's simple but may need refinement for complex images.
• “Try the Magic Wand on that solid color—should be an easy selection.”
67. I traced the object with the Pen Tool for an accurate cutout.
• Pen Tool (noun phrase) - A tool for creating precise paths or shapes by placing anchor points.
• Use ‘Pen Tool’ for high-precision work, especially around complex shapes. It has a learning curve, but results are very accurate.
• “Use the Pen Tool if you want a clean selection around detailed edges.”
68. The Gradient Map gave the photo a dramatic duo-tone effect.
• Gradient Map (noun phrase) - Applies a gradient to the image based on its tonal range, altering overall color.
• Use ‘Gradient Map’ to instantly transform an image’s color from light to dark tonal areas. Great for stylized or artistic looks.
• “Let’s try a Gradient Map for a quick color theme.”
69. I desaturated the background to emphasize the colorful subject.
• Desaturate (verb) - To remove or reduce the intensity of color in an image.
• Use ‘desaturate’ for a subtle or total removal of color. Often used to create black-and-white images or highlight a specific color.
• “Can you desaturate everything but keep my shirt bright?”
70. I used liquify to adjust the shape of the dress slightly.
• Liquify (verb) - A tool that lets you push, pull, or warp an image to reshape it.
• Use ‘liquify’ for creative adjustments or retouching. It’s powerful but can be overused, so apply carefully to keep images natural.
• “To fix that distortion, just use liquify and push it back into place.”
71. Using an overlay of a texture added a gritty effect to the photo.
• Overlay (noun/verb) - A blend mode or layer style that merges colors of two layers, enhancing contrast and color.
• Use ‘overlay’ when applying textures or adjusting contrast. It’s a common blend mode for layering creative effects in editing software.
• “Try the overlay blend mode to add depth without washing out the image.”
• Superimpose - Use ‘superimpose’ in general contexts for placing images on top of each other, especially in casual conversation.
72. I set the shadow layer to multiply for a realistic overlay.
• Multiply (verb) - A blend mode that darkens the base layer by multiplying it with the blend color.
• Use ‘multiply’ to darken images or create shadow effects. It’s a standard blend mode for adding depth in layered edits.
• “Switch the shadow to multiply so it merges naturally.”
73. Screening the light beams made them glow realistically.
• Screen (noun/verb) - A blend mode that lightens the base layer by mixing it with the blend color.
• Use ‘screen’ for brightening or adding highlights. It’s the opposite of ‘multiply’ and is commonly used for flare or glow effects.
• “Use screen mode for that lens flare to make it look brighter.”
74. I reduced the logo’s opacity so it wouldn’t distract from the photo.
• Opacity (noun) - The level of transparency of a layer or effect, ranging from 0% to 100%.
• Use ‘opacity’ to adjust how visible a layer or element is. Handy for blending logos, text, or effects seamlessly.
• “Try lowering the opacity for a subtle watermark.”
75. I lowered the fill of the shape layer but kept the outline visible.
• Fill (noun/verb) - The inside color or coverage of a shape or layer, separate from its opacity or stroke.
• Use ‘fill’ when adjusting the interior of a layer without changing layer styles like shadows or strokes. Useful for creative transparency effects.
• “Reduce the fill if you just want the border to stand out.”
76. Turning on the grid helped me line up the text perfectly.
• Grid (noun) - A set of guidelines forming squares or rectangles to help align elements.
• Use ‘grid’ when you need precise placement or symmetrical layouts. It’s useful in design and accurate positioning tasks.
• “Use the grid to ensure everything is aligned well.”
77. I dragged guidelines from the ruler to position the text evenly.
• Guidelines (plural noun) - Customizable rules or lines to help you align or position elements within the canvas.
• Use ‘guidelines’ for flexible, user-defined lines that help keep your design neat. Especially handy for tasks needing symmetrical spacing.
• “Place guidelines at the edges so we maintain consistent margins.”
78. Checking the histogram revealed that the image was underexposed.
• Histogram (noun) - A graph showing the distribution of tones in an image, from shadows to highlights.
• Use ‘histogram’ for precise exposure control. It’s a key reference for balancing light and dark areas and avoiding clipping.
• “The histogram is skewed to the left, meaning it’s quite dark.”
79. The Filter Gallery has artistic effects like watercolor and sketch.
• Filter Gallery (noun phrase) - A collection of creative filters or effects you can apply, often with adjustable settings.
• Use ‘Filter Gallery’ for quick, stylized looks. Great for unique or playful transformations in a single interface.
• “Explore the Filter Gallery for fun, artistic transformations.”
80. I posterized the image for a pop-art effect.
• Posterize (verb) - To reduce the number of colors, creating flat color areas for a stylized look.
• Use ‘posterize’ to simplify colors. Great for artistic or retro designs, but it removes subtle gradients and can look cartoonish.
• “Try posterize for a bold, comic-book style.”
81. I added a bevel layer style to the text for a 3D effect.
• Layer Style (noun phrase) - A collection of effects such as drop shadows, strokes, or glows applied to a layer.
• Use ‘layer style’ to quickly add common effects. Perfect for text or shapes needing dimension and flair without manual drawing.
• “Could you add a subtle layer style like a shadow to this logo?”
82. I feathered the mask for a smoother transition between subject and background.
• Feather (verb) - To soften the edges of a selection or mask, creating a gradual blend.
• Use ‘feather’ for realistic blending, preventing sharp edges when combining images or adjusting specific areas.
• “That cutout is too harsh; can you feather the edges?”
83. I set the brush hardness to 50% for softer edges on the mask.
• Hardness (noun) - The sharpness of a brush edge, ranging from hard (defined edge) to soft (blurred edge).
• Use ‘hardness’ to control how crisp or faded brush strokes appear. High hardness for precise details, low for subtle transitions.
• “Lower the hardness if you want smoother blending.”
84. I set the texture layer to Soft Light to blend it subtly.
• Soft Light (noun phrase) - A blend mode that gently increases contrast, similar to shining a diffused light on an image.
• Use ‘Soft Light’ when you want a mild contrast and color enhancement. It’s more subtle than overlay but still noticeable.
• “Try Soft Light to give a gentle boost to the color.”
85. Using Hard Light made the image pop but might be too harsh.
• Hard Light (noun phrase) - A blend mode that produces high contrast, intensifying both lights and darks.
• Use ‘Hard Light’ for a strong contrast effect. It can be striking but easily overdone, so adjust opacity or layer balance as needed.
• “Hard Light could work if you want a dramatic, high-contrast look.”
86. Using a sharpening mask prevented noise in the background while focusing on the subject.
• Sharpening Mask (noun phrase) - A controlled sharpening technique applying detail enhancement selectively.
• Use ‘sharpening mask’ to refine edges in focused areas. Great for subjects like faces or text while avoiding noise in uniform regions.
• “Apply a sharpening mask so the background doesn’t get grainy.”
87. I removed small photo blemishes using the Healing Brush.
• Photo Blemish (noun) - Any unwanted mark or spot on an image, often on skin or a surface.
• Use ‘photo blemish’ when referencing small imperfections. Tools like Spot Healing or Clone Stamp can tackle these quickly.
• “Can you fix that blemish on my cheek in the portrait?”
88. With a Smart Filter, I can change the blur settings later.
• Smart Filter (noun phrase) - A non-destructive filter applied to a Smart Object, editable anytime.
• Use ‘Smart Filter’ for flexible editing. Perfect for adjusting blur, sharpening, or any filter repeatedly without damaging the original layer.
• “Convert it to a Smart Object first so we can apply a Smart Filter.”
89. I used a transparent PNG for the logo so it blends with any background.
• Transparency (noun) - An area of an image or layer that is see-through, allowing underlying layers to show.
• Use ‘transparency’ when you need to layer images seamlessly or integrate logos into varied backgrounds. Supported by formats like PNG or TIFF.
• “Make the background transparent so we can put it on different colors.”
90. I added a layer mask to selectively erase the background.
• Layer Mask (noun phrase) - A mask linked to a specific layer, controlling which parts are visible or hidden.
• Use ‘layer mask’ for non-destructive hiding or revealing of layer areas. Paint black or white on the mask for easy adjustments.
• “Use a layer mask if you only want to remove part of that texture.”
91. I pixelated the license plate for privacy.
• Pixelate (verb) - To transform part of an image into large, blocky pixels, often used to blur private details.
• Use ‘pixelate’ to obscure sensitive info or achieve a retro, blocky look. Good for privacy or stylistic choices in images.
• “Could you pixelate my username before posting the screenshot?”
92. I warped the text to follow the shape of the curved banner.
• Warp (verb) - To twist or distort an element in a flexible, free-form manner.
• Use ‘warp’ for a custom shape adjustment. Great for fitting objects to surfaces or creating artistic distortions in a photo.
• “Let’s warp the image so it wraps around the cylinder realistically.”
93. Content-Aware Fill removed the trash can from the beach photo seamlessly.
• Content-Aware Fill (noun phrase) - An automated feature that fills a selected area by sampling surrounding content.
• Use ‘Content-Aware Fill’ for large, complex removals. It’s quick but may require minor manual fixes if the algorithm guesses poorly.
• “Try Content-Aware Fill to remove that sign in the background.”
94. I used the Patch Tool to fix the tear in the scanned photo.
• Patch Tool (noun phrase) - A tool that repairs a selected area by sampling from another part of the image.
• Use ‘Patch Tool’ to correct larger areas than the Healing Brush can handle. Useful for blending textures smoothly, especially in large uniform zones.
• “The Patch Tool should work for that stained section.”
95. Spot Healing easily removed the tiny scratch on the product photo.
• Spot Healing (noun phrase) - A quick, localized retouch tool that automatically samples nearby pixels to remove small blemishes.
• Use ‘Spot Healing’ for small defects or blemishes. It’s simple and fast, especially for quick fixes without precise sampling choices.
• “Just use Spot Healing for small dust marks or pimples.”
96. I used the Eyedropper to match the text color with her shirt.
• Eyedropper (noun) - A tool that picks up a color from an image and sets it as the current paint or adjustment color.
• Use ‘Eyedropper’ to maintain consistent colors. It’s essential when matching brand hues or ensuring a cohesive palette across design elements.
• “Grab the Eyedropper to get the exact shade from that logo.”
97. Quick Selection grabbed most of the subject in one swipe.
• Quick Selection (noun phrase) - A tool that automatically identifies edges and areas of similar color to create a selection.
• Use ‘Quick Selection’ for speedy subject isolation. It's not always perfect, but you can refine edges after the initial selection.
• “Try Quick Selection; it might pick up the figure pretty fast.”
98. I used Select and Mask to fine-tune the model’s flyaway hairs.
• Select and Mask (noun phrase) - A workspace to refine a selection or mask edges, especially hair or complex shapes.
• Use ‘Select and Mask’ after a rough selection to precisely handle tricky edges. Great for hair or detailed backgrounds.
• “Go to Select and Mask to smooth the edges around her curly hair.”
99. I used Gradient Overlay to give the text a sunset color transition.
• Gradient Overlay (noun phrase) - A layer style that applies a gradient on top of a layer, with blend mode options.
• Use ‘Gradient Overlay’ for adding stylish color transitions to elements. Great on text or shapes for depth and visual interest.
• “Try Gradient Overlay on the shape for a cool two-tone design.”
100. Balancing the tonal range improved the overall contrast.
• Tonal Range (noun phrase) - The spectrum of dark to light in an image, encompassing shadows, midtones, and highlights.
• Use ‘tonal range’ to discuss the span of brightness values in a photo. Adjusting it ensures dynamic but balanced images.
• “We need a good tonal range so the details stand out.”
101. Increasing vibrance made the sunset colors richer without oversaturating skin tones.
• Vibrance (noun) - A controlled way to increase color intensity, boosting dull colors more than already vivid ones.
• Use ‘vibrance’ for a balanced approach to color enhancement, especially useful in portraits to avoid making skin tones unnaturally saturated.
• “Try vibrance instead of saturation so you don’t overdo the bright colors.”