Though Craig Knippel’s Graphic Arts 1 class students have done plenty of work so far this semester, Knippel wanted to show them artistic possibilities in their work. The Austin High School teacher knew his students’ work in dye simulation and imprinting could yield some fantastic results.

“They were starting out with some basic tools,” Knippel said.

Knippel found an outside perspective in Herald photographer Eric Johnson’s photo illustrations. Knippel read last year’s Profiles edition (renamed Progress this year) and was impressed by Johnson’s work.

“He’s in town, he’s local,” Knippel said.

That’s how Johnson ended up lecturing high schoolers on the finer points of Adobe Photoshop illustrations. Johnson spoke to two classes Thursday on Photoshop basics, tricks and ethics, from showing how to make planets to explaining textures, image altering, and creating fire rings and laser lights, among other things. For Johnson, the opportunity to share his skills with students was an honor.

“They maybe didn’t know what was possible in Photoshop,” Johnson said. “Now, just seeing what is possible, they may be able to take what they have already been working on and turn it into something no one has ever seen before.”

Students responded enthusiastically to the lecture.

“It was very interesting,” said AHS senior Samantha Allen-Hinckley, who said she found some of the techniques to be helpful.

Other students loved the photo possibilities Johnson showed off, from futuristic landscapes to Gothic panoramas and fantastic, epic creations.

“I loved the photos and possibilities,” AHS junior Samantha Maloney said.

Though students will continue working on graphic arts projects, Johnson hopes they see their computer as another form of artistic expression.

“It was a chance to show these students that there is a potential outlet for art in a computer,” he said.