Projects

Projects may change during the semester as they are added or removed. Here's a link to the student reflection form.

 Pop Culture Photoshop: Create a funny subtitle animal (think cat images from class overview). The finished project should be a 5 x 5' square with at least 24 pt font. Do a photoshop reflection sheet when you're done.
Greenthumb. Go online and download several pieces of fruit and vegetables to use as pieces to construct a face. You will need a large round or oval shape for the face and then will resize other facial parts as needed (nose, ears, mouth, eyes, hair). The finished project should be 5" x 7" (portrait mode) 75 dpi. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Colorize: Select one of the images in the colorize handouts folder. Using a seperate layer with the layer option "overlay", color the image. Select a different opacity based on whether you would like it brighter or darker. Zoom in and erase parts that "go out of the lines". The finished project should be 7" x 7", 75 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Digital Photography Scavenger Hunt - Go to Digital Cameras for Teachers to obtain answers for the digital photography scavenger hunt. The information you find on this site and others will be very helpful to you when you complete your upcoming PowerPoint presentation.
Article Review: Find a current online computer article that deals with digital photography or a topic that relates to your future PowerPoint presentation. Read the article and then type 2-3 paragraphs summarizing the article and then 1-2 paragraphs telling what you learned and how you may use the information. Be sure to provide a link letting your instructor know which website you obtained the article from. You will use the information from this article review and from the digital photography scavenger hunt to use on your PowerPoint presentation.

Please make sure to print out the article and pass it in with any notes you make while reading.

Suggestion: if your article is too short, why not read two on a particular topic?
Name Typography - Using large block letters (such as 72 pt. Arial Black) to spell YOUR NAME (four letters or more, first or last name-- advanced students use longer names) and then fill the letters with pictures that represent your personality and hobbies (HINT: use your magic wand and select inverse). Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project. Challenge: try to add a stroke to your text with blending options for a more defined outline to your words!
Typography - Do two type projects. You may select from the Photoshop 7 Type Effects textbook or one of the following web-based instruction sets below. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of each of project. …. Web-based project option 1 - do the steps at photoshopcafe. (Replace step 1 with your first name rather than photoshopcafe.com) Web-based project option 2 - do steps for beveled steel . Use your first, middle, and last name for the project. Web-based project option 3 - do steps for Weathered. Use your name for the text in the project. Web-based project option 4 - do the steps for Curved Type Reflections. Use your first name for the text in the project.
Pattern Fill: using patterns and gradient fills color one of the several coloring book images from the U: drive or online from the internet. Make sure to use variety and have fun! Think funky or realistic. Try to select a picture that has clean lines that connect. You must use at least four different patterns, and at least two patterns you create.

Hint: Use shift click to select more than one area. Right click on the layer to blend! And to define patterns: edit define pattern.
You Look Marvelous! For this project you will be teamed up with a classmate. Take a picture of one of your partner with one of our digital cameras (photo must be a full body shot). From one half of your picture, fix your teeth (straighten and whiten), remove any blemishes, adjust their skin tone (give yourself a realistic looking tan if you want). The finished project should be 5" x 7", 180 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.

Tutorial Online (If Needed)

Click Here to see actual celebrities and their photoshoped perfection!
You're so OLD! - Using a photo of yourself and filters, age yourself as much as you can while keeping the photo realistic. Consider cloning some wrinkles, etc, from other photos you find online. The finished project should be 5" x 7", 75 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Lighthouse Skill Test: Go online and find a picture of a Maine lighthouse. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and light settings so that it appears that the picture was taken at night. Add a lens flare so that it appears that the light is beaming from the lighthouse. The finished project should be approximately 5" x 7" (portrait or landscape mode) 75 dpi
Darwin: Download two animal images from the Internet and create your own new animal by using various features from each animal. Add text above the image giving a new name to the animal you have created. Your finished project should be 5" x 7", 75 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Digital Photography ... Use one of our digital cameras (or your own) and take a photograph of yourself in front of the school in a creative way (remember the rule of thirds!) and then apply a filter to create a watercolor, charcoal, or sketch. The finished project should be 5" x 7", 180 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Classmates: Create a group picture of our Photoshop class using each person’s individual photo. You should have 4-6 people per row. The finished project should be 7’ x 5”, 75 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Landscaper - You have been hired to landscape a homeowners yard. The home currently has some grass growing but that's about it. Fill in any bare spots with new lawn, add flowers and shrubs. Remove the portion of house/porch showing of a neighbor's home on the right.
PowerPoint Presentation (COMMON ASSESSMENT) on one of the following topics:
1. Tips on taking better digital pictures
2. How to choose a digital camera
3. Computer graphics used in advertising
4. How to create a photoshop project from start to finish
5. Other (as approved by instructor )
Your slide show must be a minimum of 10 slides including a title slide and an ending slide containing a minimum of three references. Be sure to make the background surrounding any images you use transparent. You may use the information from the Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt and the article review as two of the sources for your presentation. Presentations will be made after two days of working on gathering information.
Gene Mixup - You will once again open your face image breaking it into six quadrants. This time, however you will keep one quadrant as you and the other five will be made up of five of your classmates faces. Once the faces are merged and sized proportionally you will need to colorize the image. The finished project should be 5" x 7", 75 dpi, and saved in jpg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Gone Traveling: Photoshop a picture of yourself into a picture from somewhere else. I.e. a picture of you in front of the Eiffel tower, a picture of you next to a pyramid in Egypt, etc. Make it look as if you belong in the picture- be aware of proportions! When you have it done, combine it with an image of a post card and add a witty line like "Mexico- Wish you were here!" Etc. Extra points will be given to postage stamps, wear and tear marks, etc. The finished project should be 75 DPI and saved in jpeg format. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
  Field Trip- South Portland Post Card: Using what you learned in the previous assignment, and the skills you learned using the digital camera: go outside on the field trip and take a "South Portland" post card with a witty slogan for visitors to the city! Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Television Show or Movie Poster - select from a G or PG television show or movie ( have the show or movie approved by your instructor). No weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs will be allowed to be in your poster.. You will place yourself and two or more of your classmates into the poster. Apply a title for your movie (at least 36 pt. bold or larger), include a list of characters. Save image at 180 dpi (5’ x 7”) and then go through the steps of converting it to a poster in MS Publisher (Mr. Hunter will demonstrate). Final product will be printed on the color laser. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Fixing A Scanned Image - You will be given a scanned image that has been torn into pieces. You must put the image back together and repair any flaws to the picture. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
What's Inside: Select an object, such as a bottle of juice, and slice it in half. Show what's inside! You can be as creative and wacky as you'd like. The finished project should be 5" x 5" 75 dpi. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Infomercial (change your body .... add or remove weight .... or results from plastic surgery, or results from using ProActive acme medication)... show before and after pictures. Both images should appear on a 11" x 8 1/2" sheet with a heading for your infomercial product at the top of the sheet. At the bottom of the sheet list a toll free number for people to call along with a website where they may order your product.

Magazine Cover: Using examples of magazine covers given create a cover where you are the star: make sure to include fictional magazine blurbs, etc. Keep it appropriate! (AKA: Skip the Cosmo magazines!)

Do NOT copy a magazine cover and change the head. The purpose of this is to learn about layout and design- not to photoshop in a face.
Fake Product Website: Find a commercial website and print screen the image. Then using photoshop create a fake website with a fake product. In class we'll go through and pick the person with the most realistic product! (Maybe we'll experiement to see how many people you can fool!)

Click on the image to see it live.
Reading Promotion Poster - Create a Pro-Reading poster that showcases your skill in design. Use at least one quote on the poster and make sure to take a photo of yourself reading. The finished poster should be 8 x 10. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Retro Advertisement - Create a retro advertisement for a product assigned in class. Sample retro advertisements can be found on the U: drive in the shared folder. Consider also looking online. Use filters, make sure to include appropriate text and layout, and set the file size as 8 x 10. This project is ALL about mimicing a professional looking design and style! Spend time on the layout!! Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
  School Sign: Find a sport, club, or teacher in the building who needs a sign made for school. OK the concept with Mrs. York and the teacher or advisor involved, and make them a sign! If you're stuck- find a sign in the building and make a copy, then redesign it with a more professional layout. Do a PhotoShop Reflective Journal upon completion of this project.
Business Ad- Create a new company of your choice (Make sure it's a LEGAL one!!!) You will need to create a business advertisement that would fit into a magazine or newspaper. The advertisement should have a logo, basic business information, etc. Be aware of design and content! If you're stuck on a concept for the ad, make up a sale or promotion.

Business Cards - (Use MS Word or MS Publisher). The cards must contain your company name and you name (and job title), use 637 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME 04106 for the address and (207) 555-1234 for the phone. Use your computer username@spsd.org for the e-mail address. Insert your logo and text art. The business cards are 2" x 3 1/2".

Letterhead - (Use MS Word or MS Publisher). The letterhead must contain your company logo and textart. Use the address, e-mail address, and phone listed for the business card.

Grand Opening Sign - (Use MS Word or MS Publisher). January 1 is the date for your grand opening ... create a sign that provides details on the products and/or services that your company will provide. Your sign should also contain your logo and text art, and the address and phone number from your business card. Do not list your e-mail address on the sign.

Company shirt or baseball cap - (Use Photoshop) Take a photograph of a polo shirt or a long-sleeved oxford shirt or baseball cap ... or obtain one from a catalog (online or printed version). Add your logo and text art. The goal for this project is to make the logo and text art appear as if they were embroidered onto the shirt and for them to not appear as a “flat” image pasted on top of the garment. The project should be at least 4" x 6" on your page.
PhotoShop Portfolio - (COMMON ASSESSMENT) ... Details coming soon.
Final Exam: Coming soon.