Yes it was. Sort of working things out now. Seems course is run both as evening class and day class but in the day most students are 16 year old and no real interest in learning. As a result the lecturer is not getting into things as he should. So it's left to us who do want to learn to look it up on internet.

He has people in class who openly say why do I need to learn about aperture and speed what's wrong with auto. But I only paid £5 for class so can't really complain too much. And slowly it's sinking in. I was taught more about Photoshop when I did IT course and Photoshop was just taught for 4 weeks than on this course which should go on all year. But last time it was version 7 and there are so many extras now.

I think only way is to practice. I have now given up taking Jpeg photos they just fill up my memory card and unless I need to take loads very close together Jpeg will stay off.

But I look at the RAW panel on CS4 and there are so many options and it seems many tools do basic the same thing. If I look at histogram at top and make sure it spans whole length then once opened seems no need for me to set levels.

We were told to set Un-sharp mask at 175% and radius 1 but not a clue why we should set it to that? In RAW there are also settings for sharpening I see it move histogram but not a clue what I am doing. Maybe we learn that next year suppose they have to have something left to teach next year!

Considering course does not finish until June seems odd to have exam in Easter. I am also doing maths and what a difference. The maths lecturer does not miss a minute of time. And it's go go go. But this art course seems to be so laid back progress is nearly zero. You have taught me more in last week than course has taught me in last 3 months.

It does not help that college uses MAC's great as they are all of us have been taught with PC compatibles to date and the lecturer spends loads of time showing silly things like how to take a screen shot.

Anyway you have all been a really great help. And I am sure I will pass. Mind you can't say same for maths. We are taught in maths about the magic proportions and how since the ancient Greek's we have used this number to proportion structures and paintings. We are shown the last supper all divided and shown how it all fitted. Talk to Art lecturer and he had never heard of it! Seems odd to learn about Art in maths class but so many famous artists of past were also mathematicians.

Sorry off subject I know once I start no stopping me. Did try your method no where near as good as yours seems I need a lot more practice.