Photography is the art of taking significantly speed up your design work

photographs. Photographs are images or flow.

moments captured through cameras or
film. Top Menu - Here you'll find options to
undo or redo actions, download your
People who take photographs are called design, share it, or adjust its settings.
photographers.
Layers Panel - Some design software has
PHOTO EDITING - Editing a photograph a layers panel where you can manage the
can enhance it. This can be done by different elements of your design. You can
editing the brightness, contrast or focus in move elements forward or backward,
your photograph. These edits change how group them, or lock them in place.
your final photograph looks.
Panning: Click and drag to move around
1840s: Birth of photography - use of film the canvas.
negatives for images
1980s: Introduction of digital imaging and Zooming: Use the zoom slider in the
early editing software bottom right corner to zoom in/out of your
1990s: Development of sophisticated design.
editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop)
2000s to Present: Advances in mobile Layers - allow different elements of a
editing apps and AI-based editing tools design to be stacked and edited
independently.
CANVAS - The central workspace where
users design and edit graphics, allowing Types of Layers
for easy drag-and-drop functional. This is Background Layer: Foundation of the
the main area where you create and edit design (e.g., a solid color or image).
your design. You can add, move, and Image Layers: Photos and graphics (e.g.,
resize elements here. a product image placed over the
background).
TOOLBAR - Offers editing options for Text Layers: Fonts and typography. Effect
selected elements, such as font type, size, Layers:Shadows, highlights, and overlays.
color, alignment, effects, and spacing
Accessing help - To access the help
SIDE PANEL - Contains the primary tools, center in Canva, open Canva and see the
including Templates, Elements Uploads, (?) symbol at the bottom right of the
Text, Brand, Uploads screen (if you’re using a desktop).

PALETTE is a set of discrete colors. SEARCH BAR - It is a handy tool to

quickly find answers to your questions
Menus in Canva - provide access to about using Canva.
various features,tools, and settings
essential for creating and managing Account Settings - This section provides
designs. guidance on managing your Canva
account.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS - Using
keyboard shortcuts in Canva can Downloading, saving, and sharing - It is
designed to help you understand how to
download your Canva designs in various
formats, save them to your device, and Types of Layer
share them with others ●​ TEXT LAYERS - Editable layers for
adding and formatting text.
Editing and designing - It is your go-to ●​ IMAGE LAYERS - Used for photos
resource for learning how to create and or graphics; best kept at original
customize designs in Canva. size to maintain quality
●​ SHAPE LAYERS - Geometric
Payments, pricing, and billing - It is where shapes that can be resized without
you can find information about managing losing clarity.
your Canva subscriptions, understanding ●​ ADJUSTMENT LAYERS -
billing details, and exploring payment Modifying brightness,contrast, or
options. color of elements.

Canva plans - It provides information Workspace in Windows - Is a virtual

about the different subscription options desktop that groups windows together on
available, the desktop. Workspaces can help reduce
clutter and make the desktop easier to
Fix problems - This is designed to help navigate
you troubleshoot and resolve any issues
you might encounter while using Canva. IMAGE SORTING - This is where image
files organization takes place. It requires
Teams and Groups - It provides guidance the use of sorting and the viewing of files
on how to collaborate with others in Canva
FILE RATING - A SYSTEM THAT
Print and Delivery - It provides information ASSIGNS A VALUE OR IMPORTANCE
on how to order professional prints of your LEVEL TO DIGITAL FILES BASED ON
Canva designs and have them delivered SPECIFIC CRITΕRIA..
to your doorstep
SLIDE SHOW - A presentation of images
Layer of a material or substance is a purely for their own visual interest or
quantity or piece of it that covers a surface artistic value, sometimes unaccompanied
or that is between two other things. by description or text, or it may be used to
clarify or reinforce information, ideas,
CANVA LAYER - The various text boxes, comments, solutions or suggestions which
shapes, and design elements within the are presented verbally.
entire image. Layers in Canva allow users
to select from the different design RENAMING FILE - Refers to the process
components without ruining the current of changing the name of a file or directory
layout. to a new name, allowing users to reuse
existing filenames for new documents.
Antialiasing - only affects some
selection tools: it causes the boundary COLOR MODES
of the selection to be drawn more ●​ RGB COLOR MODE -
smoothly. Combinations of Red, Green, and
Blue values; Each pixel is defined
Feather Edges - allows the boundary of by three values, with 0 for no color
the selection to be blurred,
 and 255 for maximum intensity; COLOR SWATCHES - Samples or
used in digital screens. collections of colors used for reference or
●​ CMYK COLOR MODE - For print selection.
purposes; combinations of Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow, and Black (Key); COLOR WHEEL - Understanding Color
Each pixel is defined by four Techniques Visual representation of color
values, with 0 for no color and 100 relationships, showcasing hues, tints,
for maximum intensity. tones, and shades that arranged in a
●​ LAB COLOR MODE - Short for circular format
CIELAB; L*(lightness), a* (green to
red), and b* (blue to HUE - Refers to the pure, intrinsic color of
yellow);precise color adjustments an object without any variation or mixture.
and is not tied to the limitations of It's what we commonly identify as red,
RGB or CMYK. blue, green, etc.
●​ INDEX COLOR MODE - Uses a
limited,pre-defined palette of TONE - Achieved by adding both black
colors; Each pixel is assigned a and white to a hue, creating a muted and
color from this palette, typically softened version of the original color. It is
with a maximum of 256 colors; less vibrant than the pure hue.
used to reduce file size.
●​ GRAYSCALE MODE - Lack color TINT - Created by adding white to a hue,
information and are often used for resulting in a lighter and less saturated
simpler or monochromatic visuals; version of the original color.
shades of gray, ranging from black
(0) to white (255) SHADE - Produced by adding black to a
●​ BITMAP COLOR MODE - Each hue, resulting in a darker and more
pixel is either black or white, with subdued version of the original color.
no shades of gray; It's often used
for images that require a stark, EYEDROPPER TOOL - One of the most
high-contrast appearance, as each easy-to-use tools in Adobe Photoshop. It
pixel is a single bit. is generally used by all digital painters,
●​ DUOTONE MODE - Uses two ink editors, and other people who use
colors to create grayscale images Photoshop. Eyedropper tool is used to
with a tint or color cast; the sample a color from the given image
highlights and shadows of an
image are mapped to specific OPTIONS
colors. ●​ SAMPLE SIZE - It tells the
●​ MULTICHANNEL MODE - Use of eyedropper tool the size of the
more than three color channels, sample area from which it will pick
often used for specialized printing the color.
processes. ●​ SAMPLING RING - It helps them
to pick the accurate color easily by
COLOR PICKER - A panel with a wide seeing the color change, then
range of colors and modes of color such seeing the changes from the
as Hue, saturation, CMYK, and from this background and foreground color
panel, you can choose a color for your section.
selected object in this software. ●​ SAMPLE -Used to select colors
from an image
 automatically snap to the edges of
GRADIENT TOOL - Gradients are gradual contrasting elements.
changes of color or tint that sweep over or ●​ QUICK SELECTION TOOL - A fast
fill an image way of selecting a well defined
object
GRAYSCALE IMAGES - A kind of ●​ OBJECT SELECTION TOOL -
black-and-white or gray monochrome, are Designed to automatically select
composed exclusively of shades of gray objects in an image.
●​ MAGIC WAND TOOL - This tool
OPACITY - The transparency level of a selects areas of similar color with a
layer. It is represented as a percentage, single click.
with 0% being completely transparent ●​ SELECT COLOR RANGE - Make
(invisible) and 100% being fully opaque selections based on specific colors
(completely visible) or tones within an image;
●​ SELECT SUBJECT - Automatically
BLENDING MODE - Understanding Color identifies and select the main
Techniques Settings that determine how subject or subjects in an image
pixels from different layers interact and ●​ QUICK MASK MODE - Creates
blend together and edits selections using a
"mask" that you can paint on
BLENDING MODES directly
●​ NORMAL - This mode replaces the
underlying pixels entirely with the PLACING A SELECTION - A selection is
pixels of the layer on top. an area of a photo that you define.
●​ SCREEN - Lightens the underlying
layers, similar to a projection or CONVERTING HEXADECIMAL VALUES
blending of multiple slides. OF COLORS
●​ MULTIPLY - Darkens the
underlying layers by multiplying the A hex color is written as #RRGGBB,
color values. where:
●​ OVERLAY - Mixes both Multiply • RR represents the red component.
and Screen modes to enhance • GG represents the green component.
contrast and color saturation. • BB represents the blue component.
Each is a 2-digit hexadecimal value
Understanding Color Techniques ranging from 00 to FF.
●​ DIFFERENCE - Produces an in
version effect by subtracting pixel A = 10 D = 13
values of the top layer from the B = 11 E = 14
bottom layer. C = 12 F = 15
●​ SOFT LIGHT/HARD LIGHT - Adds
contrast by lightening or darkening To convert each 2-digit hex value to
colors based on the blend. decimal:
●​ MATCH COLOR - Color matching • Multiply the first digit by 16.
is the process of applying a • Add the result to the value of the second
specific color to an image digit.
●​ LASSO TOOLS - Enable freehand
drawing of selections, connecting CONVERT HEX TO DECIMAL
straight line segments, or For #FF5733:
1. Red (FF): • Psychological Effect: Lowers heart rate,
• F = 15 (in decimal) promotes relaxation.
• 15 x 16 + 15 = 255 ●​ Green
2. Green (57): • Emotions: Balance, harmony, growth,
• 5 = 5, 7 = 7 (in decimal) health.
• 5 x 16 + 7 = 87 • Usage: Often used in eco-friendly and
3. Blue (33): wellness brands to symbolize nature and
• 3 = 3 (in decimal) renewal.
• 3 x 16 + 3 = 51 • Psychological Effect: Soothing and
So, the RGB equivalent associated with feelings of abundance.
is (255, 87, 51). ●​ Purple
• Emotions: Royalty, luxury, spirituality,
PSYCHOLOGY OF COLORS - The study creativity.
of how different colors influence human • Usage: Used in high-end brands and
emotions, behavior, and perceptions. products targeting creativity or mystery.
• Psychological Effect: Inspires
WARM COLORS imagination and can feel luxurious
●​ Red
• Emotions: Passion, excitement, urgency, NEUTRAL COLORS
love, aggression. ●​ White
• Usage: Often used in sales promotions, • Emotions: Purity, simplicity, cleanliness.
fast-food chains (to stimulate appetite), • Usage: Widely used in healthcare and
and warnings (stop signs). minimalistic designs.
• Psychological Effect: Increases heart • Psychological Effect: Creates a sense of
rate and creates a sense of urgency. space and calmness.
●​ Orange ●​ Black
• Emotions: Enthusiasm, creativity, • Emotions: Power, elegance, mystery,
friendliness, fun. sophistication.
• Usage: Associated with affordability and • Usage: Common in luxury branding and
approachability (e.g., branding for formal occasions.
youth-focused products). • Psychological Effect: Can feel
• Psychological Effect: Encourages empowering or intimidating.
optimism and energy. ●​ Gray
●​ Yellow • Emotions: Neutrality, balance,
• Emotions: Happiness, warmth, caution. sophistication.
• Usage: Used to grab attention (e.g., in • Usage: Used in professional and sleek
traffic signs) and evoke cheerfulness. designs.
• Psychological Effect: Boosts positivity • Psychological Effect: Can feel modern
but can cause anxiety if overused. but sometimes evoke dullness.
●​ Brown
COOL COLORS • Emotions: Stability, reliability, comfort.
●​ Blue • Usage: Often used in natural or rustic
• Emotions: Trust, calmness, designs.
professionalism, reliability. • Psychological Effect: Creates warmth
• Usage: Frequently used in corporate and security.
logos, healthcare, and financial industries
to convey security. Painting Tool is a tool or a function in
a graphics editing or painting program
used to change the area of the canvas PATCH TOOL - remove large blemishes
or image by adding paint strokes or filing from photos. one of the most used and
the areas with color most helpful tools for photo editors.

The most common painting tools are the PATCH TOOL SETTINGS
brush tool and pencil tool. ●​ NORMAL MODE is great for
general editing when you want to
Other common painting tools include duplicate an object or are removing
eraser, air brush, paint bucket, smudge something from a simple
and blur tools background.
●​ CONTENT AWARE MODE is
Brush Tool - is a primary painting tool, better when working near edges
being Photoshop’s most versatile and because Photoshop uses AI to
important tool blend the pixels better. Only works
when removing pixels and not
Pencil Tool - located in the brush when duplicating pixels.
tool stack icon, the pencil tool works
similarly to the brush tool. A solid pixel by Dodge and Burn are two powerful tools in
pixel tool which creates hard edged lines. Adobe Photoshop that are used to
manipulate the brightness and darkness of
Color Replacement Tool - as the name specific areas in an image.
suggests, helps to replace the color of any
object Dodge Tool is used to lighten or brighten
specific areas of an image.
Mixer Brush Tool - The mixer brush tool
allows you to paint more realistically in Burn Tool is the counterpart to the Dodge
Photoshop. Tool and is used to darken specific areas
of an image
Eraser Tool - This tool, much like the
classic pencil eraser you used in Type Tool is a feature that allows users to
elementary school, serves to erase an add and manipulate text in their images.
element from your work.
Primary Type Tools
Paint Bucket Tool - is one of the most • Horizontal Type Tool (T): Creates
straightforward, yet helpful tools in left-to-right horizontal text.
Photoshop to fill selections, objects, or • Vertical Type Tool (T): Creates
layers with color, as the name suggests is top-to-bottom vertical text.
used to paint a selected area or white • Horizontal Type Mask Tool (T): Creates
area with a color or pattern with a similar horizontal text with a selection mask.
color or is used to paint an uncolored area • Vertical Type Mask Tool (T): Creates
with a color or pattern vertical text with a selection mask.

Eyedropper Tool - can sample colors TEXT LAYER - Refers to a distinct

anywhere in an image and add them to element within a digital design or
your swatches panel. image-editing software that contains text

COMMON TRANSFORMATIONS YOU

CAN APPLY TO A TEXT LAYER
 ●​ Free Transform - Allows you to phos (light) and graphein (to write or
scale, rotate, skew, and distort the draw).
text freely It literally means “drawing with light”.
●​ Scale - Adjusts the size of the text
proportionally. Principles of Photography
●​ Patterns is creating visual interest
Rotate - Changes the angle or orientation and rhythm by repeating shapes,
of the text colors, or forms within a
composition.
Skew - Tilts the text horizontally or ●​ Balance - refers to the visual
vertically equilibrium created by distributing
elements within the frame to
Distort - Allows you to manipulate the achieve harmony and stability.
corners of the text independently. ●​ Negative space is the empty or
unfilled area around the subject,
Perspective - Adjusts the perspective of which helps to emphasize the main
the text, making it look like it's receding focus and create visual breathing
into the distance room
●​ Groupings - is involve arranging
Rotate 180° - Flips the text vertically elements within a scene to create
visual connections and
ROTATE 90° CLOCKWISE/COUNTER relationships, often emphasizing
CLOCKWISE - Rotates the text by 90 proximity, similarity, or shared
degrees in the specified direction characteristics.
●​ Closure - is the perceptual
Move - Shifts the position of the text within tendency to complete incomplete
the canvas. shapes or forms, creating a sense
of wholeness and unity within a
Character Palette - Found in the top composition.
options bar when the Type Tool is ●​ Color - evokes emotion, sets the
selected. mood, and guides the viewer 's
eye through the use of hue,
Drop Shadow - Adds a shadow behind the saturation, and value.
text, giving it a lifted or floating ●​ Light and shadow - are
appearance. fundamental elements that shape
form, create depth, and
Anti-Aliasing - smooths the edges of text, dramatically influence mood and
reducing jaggedness. atmosphere.
●​ Exposure - controls the amount of
Bevel - gives a 3D look by adding light reaching the sensor,
highlights and shadows to the text edges. determining the brightness and
overall quality of the image.
Emboss - adds a raised or recessed ●​ Focus and depth of field work
effect. together to control - which parts of
an image are sharp and in focus,
PHOTOGRAPHY is the art and practice of and which areas are blurred,
capturing and recording images using light influencing the overall impact and
storytelling.
 ●​ Lines: Creating a sense of flow for
Composition is the art of arranging visual the viewer through leading lines
elements within the frame to create a both literal and implied. Lines are
visually appealing and meaningful image. either, straight, curved, or a
combination of the 2 and also can
Post-processing is the art of enhancing, be vertical or horizontal
adjusting, and refining digital images after ●​ Shape: Highlighting objects in a
they’ve been captured, using software to two- dimensional way, such as
achieve a desired aesthetic or correct through the use of silhouette.
technical flaws. There are two basic types of
shapes: geometric (or regular) and
Framing - the process of choosing what to organic.
include and exclude in a photo to create a ●​ Form: Form is three-dimensional.
pleasing composition and direct the Form has overall height, width, and
viewer's attention depth. Giving depth to an image by
implying dimensionality through
Rule of Thirds - Divide the frame into light and shadow.
thirds using two horizontal and two vertical ●​ Texture: Depicting the way a
lines, then place the subject on the lines surface may feel through shadow
or where they meet. and light.
●​ Tone: Suggesting an overall feeling
Fill the frame - To fill the frame, zoom in or through brightness or darkness in
move closer to your subject. This removes an image and understanding how
everything else and focuses on the finer to manipulate it can transform a
points of the topic good image into a great one.
●​ Space: The distance around and/or
Diagonal lines - A compositional element the area between design objects or
that runs diagonally across a picture is elements.
called a diagonal line.
Lighting is it describes how a light source,
Rule of odds - Images with an odd number whether artificial or natural,
of subjects are more aesthetically pleasing
Types of lighting
Golden ratio - Compositions that are ratio ●​ Transmitted light - is light that is
balanced and visually appealing visible coming directly from its
source.
Geometric - shapes focuses on the ●​ Reflected light - occurs when light
geometric lines, shapes, and patterns that bounces off your subject. Most
exist in the world photographs rely on reflected light,
though transmitted light may also
Symmetry - The balanced arrangement of be visible in some cases.
elements within a frame, where one side ●​ Hard light - comes from a small
mirrors the other light source relative to your
subject, like a light bulb or the
Elements of photography distant sun on a clear day. It
●​ Color: Using a collection of colors, creates strong, distinct shadows.
or an absence of color, to create ●​ Soft light is produced by a light
impact and mood. source that is large in comparison
 to the subject. It results in light with Lens - The lens focuses light from the
low contrast and minimal shadows scene onto the image sensor or film.
●​ Natural Light - This is the light that
comes naturally from the sun. It's Speedlight - AKA external flash a portable,
free and the easiest light to work battery-powered flash unit used to provide
with in photography. additional lighting for photography.
●​ Artificial Light - comes from
sources like lamps, flashes, or LED Reflector - The reflector is used to redirect
lights that are controlled and set up light to a specific subject or scene to
by the photographer. lessen the shadows as you take photos at
●​ Flat Light - occurs when the light is any part of the day one or multiple
shining directly onto the subject,
creating no visible shadows Tripod - It is a three legged photography
●​ Backlight - happens when the light tool for stabiliizing the camera unto the
is behind the subject, which helps desired level
separate the subject from the
background. This creates a glow Memory Card - It are used to digitally store
around the subject, adding depth your photos and videos and varies
and drama. depending on your camera card slot and
●​ Broad Lighting is when the side of the storage space you need
the face closest to the camera is
brightly lit, while the other side External hard drive - It is a stand-alone
stays in shadow. This technique is hard drive, solidstate drive (SSD), or
often used in portrait photography. optical disc drive that plugs into the
●​ Rim Light - places the light behind computer via USB or external SATA.
the subject to highlight its edges,
creating a glowing outline around Lens filters - aren’t necessary for all
the subject photographers, but they can only
●​ Loop Lighting is when the light improve your photos and make your life
creates a small shadow on the that much easier.
subject’s face, usually around the
nose and chin. This is a flattering Camera bag - are specifically designed to
lighting style for portraits. house and protect your camera, lenses,
●​ Butterfly Lighting is when the light laptop, and all your other accessories
is placed above and in front of the such as batteries,filters, and speedlights
subject’s face, creating a butterfly wherever you are
shaped shadow beneath the nose
and chin. Camera cleaning kit - consists of tools to
clean your camera. An indispensable tool
Color management is a fundamental for any photographer
aspect of photography that ensures
accurate and consistent colors throughout Camera strap - is a device that attaches to
the entire digital workflow - from capture to a camera and allows the user to carry the
final output. camera around their neck or over their
shoulder
Cameras - is a device used to capture
images or videos Types of photography
●​ Nature photography - is a genre ●​ Drone Photography - is the
that captures the beauty and practice of capturing images and
wonder of the natural world, videos using a drone, which is a
focusing on landscapes, wildlife, remotely-operated or autonomous
plants, and close-up details. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
●​ Landscape photography - is a ●​ Aerial Photography - technique of
subset of photography that focuses photographing the Earth's surface
on capturing the beauty of the or features of its atmosphere or
natural landscapes found in the hydrosphere with cameras
great outdoors. mounted on aircraft, rockets, or
●​ Astrophotography - is a unique art Earth-orbiting satellites
form that captures the celestial ●​ Portrait photography, or portraiture-
wonders of the night sky, focuses on capturing the
showcasing the beauty of stars, personality of an individual or
galaxies, and planets, requiring group by using effective lighting,
specialized equipment, meticulous backgrounds, and poses
planning, and a deep ●​ Black-and-white photography - is
understanding of the night sky. seen by some as more abstract
●​ Storm photography - captures the and interpretive, offering a less
intense nature of extreme weather realistic view than color
events, often involving challenging photography.
conditions like torrential rain, ●​ Headshot photography - is a
lightning strikes, and heavy seas. specific type of portrait commonly
●​ Pet photography - captures pets' used for websites, press releases,
unique personalities and charm, publications, and social media
requiring patience, creativity, and profiles.
an understanding of animal ●​ Fashion photography - is centered
behavior. around showcasing clothing and
●​ Macro photography - is a accessories, often seen in
technique that uses lenses with advertising and fashion
close-focusing capabilities to magazines.
capture images of tiny subjects ●​ Sports photography - captures the
●​ Flower Photography - it is a type of action of sporting events and the
nature photography that captures players, both during games and
the beauty of flowers through their behind the scenes.
colors, textures, and details. ●​ Food photography - Focuses on
●​ Architecture Photography - is the capturing and showcasing food in
subgenre of the photography an appealing and appetizing
discipline where the primary manner
emphasis is made to capturing ●​ Documentary photography - often
photographs of buildings and involves capturing candid moments
similar architectural structures in their raw, unfiltered state. It's
●​ Real estate Photography - is a about telling a story or conveying a
specialized field of photography message about the subject or
that focuses on the capture and event.
presentation of residential and ●​ Street photography - is all about
commercial property capturing everyday life in public
spaces
●​ Wedding photography - often
combines various styles, including
portraiture, documentary, and even
landscape photography
●​ Product photography - Product or
commercial photography is a
branch of photography that
focuses on creating visually
appealing images of products or
services for promotional and
marketing purposes.
●​ Still-life photography - is a genre
that captures inanimate objects
arranged visually appealingly,
emphasizing the beauty of static
subjects
●​ Abstract Photography - involves
creating images using photography
materials and equipment that don't
have an immediate association
with the physical world.
●​ Fine art photography - is about the
artist and their vision, how they
capture what they see and present
it as a digital or physical print.
●​ Double exposure photograph - is a
technique that layers two different
exposures on a single image
combining two photographs into
one.
●​ Surreal photography - represents
unconscious ideas, dreams, and
emotions.