DM DFP30313 DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA
Lab Activity 2C

Image Processing Techniques

Complete nine applied tasks covering compositing, brushes, colourisation, filters, 3D integration, colour-managed printing and Generative AI.

Simple Image Processing Practices in Adobe Photoshop

Complete the practicals one tab at a time. Every required source image and expected-output visual is supplied on this page.

Complete Practices 4-10 in sequence. Open one tab at a time. Each practical introduces a small group of Photoshop tools before the edited images are combined into a publishing poster.

MasterA4 portrait, 2480 x 3508 px, 300 ppi, RGB
PrintCMYK duplicate, print-ready PDF
Screen1080 x 1350 px, sRGB, JPG or PNG
SourceEditable PSD with named layers, masks and Smart Objects

Source images

Download All Source Images

Simple Photoshop practices

Practice 4: Basic Image Editing

Crop and resize the campus photograph without distortion.

Crop ToolStraightenImage SizeSmart Object

Steps

  1. Open campus-background.jpg and duplicate the Background layer.
  2. Select Crop Tool and set Ratio to 4:5. Keep the main pathway and buildings inside the frame.
  3. Press Enter to apply the crop. Choose Image > Image Size.
  4. Set width to 1080 px and height to 1350 px. Keep Resample enabled.
  5. Right-click the edited layer and choose Convert to Smart Object.
  6. Save as Practice4_StudentName.psd and export JPG.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 4 source image

Expected output: a straight, balanced 4:5 campus image.

Practice 4 expected output

Practice 5: Remove Background

Separate the student group from its studio background using a non-destructive mask.

Object SelectionQuick SelectionSelect and MaskLayer Mask

Steps

  1. Open student-group.jpg and choose Object Selection Tool.
  2. Click Select Subject. Use Quick Selection Tool to add or subtract missed areas.
  3. Open Select and Mask. Use Refine Edge Brush around hair and clothing edges.
  4. View the result on black and white backgrounds to check the edge.
  5. Set Output To: Layer Mask and click OK.
  6. Save as Practice5_StudentName.psd and export transparent PNG.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 5 source image

Expected output: the whole group selected with clean edges.

Practice 5 expected output

Practice 6: Simple Retouching

Remove small unwanted marks while keeping the original layer safe.

Spot Healing BrushRemove ToolClone StampHistory

Steps

  1. Open practice-6-before.jpg and duplicate the image layer.
  2. Create a new empty layer named Retouch. Enable Sample All Layers.
  3. Use Spot Healing Brush on the first small mark.
  4. Use Remove Tool on the second mark.
  5. Use Clone Stamp with Alt-click to sample a clean area, then cover the final mark.
  6. Toggle the Retouch layer to compare before and after. Save as Practice6_StudentName.psd.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 6 source image

Expected output: all three marks removed without obvious patches.

Practice 6 expected output

Practice 7: Colour Adjustment

Correct a dull image using editable Adjustment Layers.

Brightness/ContrastHue/SaturationCurvesHistogram

Steps

  1. Open practice-7-before.jpg.
  2. Add a Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer and improve overall brightness gently.
  3. Add Hue/Saturation and increase saturation only until the plants look natural.
  4. Add Curves. Create a slight S-curve to improve contrast.
  5. Check Histogram and avoid clipping the highlights or shadows.
  6. Save as Practice7_StudentName.psd and export JPG.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 7 source image

Expected output: brighter colour and contrast without looking artificial.

Practice 7 expected output

Practice 8: Combine Images

Combine the edited campus, students and reusable product into one realistic scene.

Place EmbeddedMove ToolFree TransformLayer MaskBrush Tool

Steps

  1. Create a 1080 x 1350 px RGB document.
  2. Place the edited campus as the Background Smart Object.
  3. Place the masked student group above it and resize using Ctrl+T.
  4. Place the bottle and plant. Mask the grey background and resize proportionately.
  5. Add contact shadows on separate layers using a soft black brush and Multiply mode.
  6. Match the colour of all subjects using clipped Adjustment Layers. Save as Practice8_StudentName.psd.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 8 source image

Expected output: natural scale, clean masks and consistent lighting.

Practice 8 expected output

Practice 9: Simple Publishing Poster

Turn the composite into a clear digital publishing material.

Type ToolShape ToolCharacterParagraphAlignGuides

Steps

  1. Open Practice8_StudentName.psd and save a new copy.
  2. Add the headline GREEN CAMPUS DAY using Type Tool.
  3. Add the call-to-action Bring One. Reuse Every Day.
  4. Use Rectangle Tool to create a simple text panel. Add one vector leaf or recycling shape.
  5. Use Guides and Align controls. Maintain hierarchy, contrast and balance.
  6. Save as GreenCampus_StudentName.psd and export 1080 x 1350 px sRGB JPG.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 9 source image

Expected output: readable headline, clear call-to-action and balanced layout.

Practice 9 expected output

Practice 10: Filter and Generative AI

Apply one editable filter and demonstrate controlled Generative AI use.

Smart FilterGaussian BlurCrop ToolGenerative Fill

Steps

  1. Duplicate the final poster PSD. Convert the background to a Smart Object.
  2. Apply a light Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter only if it improves subject separation.
  3. Use Crop Tool to extend a small empty area of the campus background.
  4. Select only the empty extension and use Generative Fill. Do not modify a person.
  5. Keep the generated result on a separate layer and record the prompt used.
  6. Save as Practice10_StudentName.psd and export JPG.

Submission: complete the stated PSD and exported output.

Visual Guide

Source / Before

Practice 10 source image

Expected output: editable filter and a natural background extension.

Practice 10 expected output
Final submission: submit the editable PSD files, exported outputs and a short evidence PDF in one ZIP file. Photoshop legacy 3D is assessed separately because availability varies by version.

Assessment Rubric (40 marks)

Selections, masks and layers10
Retouching and colour matching8
Hierarchy, contrast and balance8
Advanced compositing, vector/brush and ethical AI6
Print/screen colour and output4
Evidence and source declaration4

Individual Submission

Upload one ZIP containing PSD, final output(s) and evidence PDF. Maximum 50 MB.