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Lens Correction Filter In Photoshop CS2
The Lens correction filter is truly amazing, being able to repair all kinds of distortions. Not only can it remedy the bulging created by a wide-angle lens, and the weird distortion created by taking a photo too close to subject – such as the bulging nose of a friend – but it can also straighten images taken at angles and make them appear as if they were shot straight on. To demonstrate, let's take an image that suffers from many problems, and correct it.
STEP 1 - Open The Filter
Open an affected image and choose Filter: Distort: Lens Correction. Figure 1 shows the filter's dialogue box. Notice the grid that assists us in lining things up.
STEP 2 - Straighten The Image
The first job is to straighten the image. It's impossible to fix all the other angles if the image is not straight first.
Choose the straighten tool from the left side of the dialogue box.
Click-&-drag across the image to define the new horizon. Try to follow a horizontal line in the image if there is one.
STEP 3 - Adjust The Vertical Perspective
The image suffers from keystoning – it's narrower at the bottom than the top – so we'll adjusting the Vertical Perspective to make the top and bottom the same width.
Adjusting the Horizontal perspective appears to rotate the image through 3D space. What's really happening is that we're making one side narrower than the other to combat perspective problems. You can also change the Angle to counter a diagonal distortion. The Figure shows the perspective repaired.
STEP 4 - Remove The Distortion
Notice how the image appears to bulge. Move the Remove Distortion slider to the left to 'bulge out' and move to the right to 'pinch in'. This also works by choosing the Remove Distortion tool, which is the topmost tool icon on the left of the Lens Correction window. Once the tool is selected you can drag in the image, although I find that the sliders give you more control.
After adjusting the distortion, you may need to go back and again tweak the perspective. The Vertical Perspective has been readjusted to compensate.
STEP 5 - Choose An Edge Option
Finally, choose an edge option:
Transparency: Produces transparent pixels outside of the distorted rectangle
Background Color: Fill the empty pixels with the current background color
Edge Extension: Stretches edge pixels to fill the background (see Figure 5).
Click OK to apply.
STEP 6 - Crop The Image
To finish off the effect, crop the image to suit your needs. As you can see this really is a great tool for fixing distorted images.
This Tutorial is an excerpt from the book How To Do Everything With Photoshop CS2 by Colin Smith. For more cool techniques like this on an easy to follow video format check out Photoshop Secrets For Digital Photographers.
PhotoshopSecrets - Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3
Our friend Colin Smith has updated one of his very popular training DVDs — PhotoshopSecrets - Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3 — a video training package that teaches you everything you need to know about working with a Wacom tablet in Photoshop. This updated edition now includes lessons with material that addresses some of the new features found in Photoshop CS3.
According to Colin's site, this is "the most complete training on the Wacom Tablet and Adobe Photoshop ever. This fully updated video will show you how to unleash the power and creativity that only comes from a pressure-sensitive tablet. Set up your tablet correctly and stop working like a mouse user in Photoshop. Two of the Top instructors in the industry combine their talents to bring you a video that will totally change the way you approach graphics on your computer. This fast loading CD ROM contains over 2 hours of sharp video with crisp digital sound."
Colin says, "Wes Maggio and myself went back to the studio and completely re-recorded all the lessons for this new version. The content is better, Wes included techniques for all the latest tablets and Cintiq. All the Photoshop techniques are brand new to this edition of the disk. Many of the new CS3 features are explained and covered, including Quick select, Smart Filters, Clone Source, new Curves, Black and White adjustment and more."
The simple-to-use interface frees you up, and you can instantly jump to any lesson with complete control over the playback. All the lesson files are included, so you can follow along at your own pace. If you currently own, or are considering a Wacom pen tablet or Cintiq, this video is one of the best investments you can make. For more on these tablets, see our Wacom Pen Tablets Resource Center. Lessons include:
• Tablet overview
• The Brushes palette in Photoshop
• Maximizing pressure sensitivity
• Customizing the pen
• Setting up the ExpressKeys
• Programming Touch Strips
• Grayscale and color in same image
• Collaging Techniques
• Adding 3D shadows and highlights
• Customizing the depth of field
• Dodging and Burning (the new way)
• Making custom grunge brushes
About Colin Smith
An award winning designer, best-selling author and trainer, Colin is founder of one of the world's most popular Photoshop resource sites, PhotoshopCAFE.com. Colin is also a regular columnist for Advanced Photoshop, Computer Arts, and Photoshop User Magazine.
About Weston Maggio
As an Adobe certified Expert in Photoshop and Wacom sales manager, Wes is an authority on Photoshop instruction, and has taught and held workshops at PhotoshopWorld, Seybold, Macworld, and PMA.
Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3 - Special Discount Price
PhotoshopSecrets - Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3 - $39.99 - (DVD version)
PhotoshopSecrets - Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3 - $39.99 - (instant download)
Don't have Photoshop CS3 yet? Get Photoshop CS3 now at the Adobe Store. This DVD training is also available for earlier versions. Here are the links:
PhotoshopSecrets Wacom Tablets and Photoshop - $39.99 - (DVD version)
PhotoshopSecrets Wacom Tablets and Photoshop - $39.99 - (instant download)
PhotoshopSecrets - Wacom Tablets and Photoshop CS3 - $39.99 - (DVD version)
