Posted on 05/13/2018 by Jonathan O'Brien
Photoshop can be an incredibly useful tool but can also be intimidating for those who have never used it. To get started with Photoshop, you should learn the basics before moving onto more complicated tools. Continue reading for information on the basics of Photoshop.
Move Tool - The move tool allows you to move objects in a specific layer.
Marquee - The marquee allows you to select a piece of the canvas in a specific shape. The default shape is rectangular but squares, circles, and ellipses are also available.
Lasso - The lasso is a tool that is free form and allows you to drag around the canvas and select anything within that area. The lasso tool will also give you access to the magnetic lasso and the polygonal lasso.
Crop Tool - The crop tool is used for cropping images. It allows you to specify an exact size, or crop to any size you would like.
Magic Wand - When used, the magic wand can tell Photoshop to select not only the spot you clicked on but anything similar around it. The magic wand can be used as a method for removing photo backgrounds.
Eyedropper - The eyedropper allows you to click on any part of the canvas and sample the color at that particular spot. The eyedropper changes the foreground color to that which was sampled on the canvas.
Pencil and Paintbrush - The pencil is a tool that simulates a pencil and the paintbrush is a tool which simulates a paintbrush. The paintbrush can be set to many different styles including standard and airbrush among others.
Healing Brush - The healing brush is used to sample part of an image and use it to paint over a different part. Upon finishing, the program is able to check the surrounding areas and try to blend your paint with the rest of the image.
History Brush - The history brush allows you to paint past versions of your image back into your current photo. Photoshop is able to keep track of moves you make, allowing you to bring back previous picture qualities that have been edited out.
Clone Stamp - The clone stamp, like the healing brush, allows you to take one part of an image and use it to paint over another part. Unlike the healing brush, when you use the clone stamp, the surrounding areas are not blended.
Eraser Tool - The eraser tool, as the name suggests, is used to erase.
Sharpen, Blue, and Smudge Tools - The sharpen, blue, and smudge tools all act as paintbrushes with each having a different effect on your picture. The blur tool will blur your image, the sharpen tool will sharpen the image, and the smudge tool can be used for blending or to create smoke or wisps.
Gradient and Paint Can - The gradient tool creates a gradient which blends the background and foreground tool while the paint can allows you to fill specific areas with a certain color.
Pen - The pen is mainly used for creating vector graphics but can also be used for various other tasks.
Sponge, Burn, and Dodge Tools - The dodge, burn, and sponge tools are similar to paintbrush tools but can manipulate color and light intensity. These tools are all good for touching up photos.
Path Tool - The path tool allows you to move paths around that have been created.
Type Tool - The type tool allows for horizontal typing. There are other tools that allow for vertical typing.
Shape Tool - The shape tool is used for creating lines, rounded rectangles, vector rectangles, circlets, and custom shapes. Shape tools are helpful in creating shape masks for photos.
Color Selection Tools - Color selection tools are used for managing any colors being used. The top color is the foreground color and the background color is the back color. Brushes will use the foreground color and the background color is used when something is deleted from the background or it is extended. The shortcut function can be used to set default foreground and background colors.
Palettes - Palettes are found on the right side of the screen and make navigating through your document simpler. Palettes are also used for switching modes and adding adjustments.
Adjustments - The adjustments panel is where layers can be created and edited.
Layers - The layers palette shows you all the different layers in a document.
Color Channels - The color channels palette lets you see all the colors that make up your picture.
In addition to the tools listed above, there are additional Photoshop tools that can be used for editing photographs and images. For more information on Photoshop, check out the pages below.
Public instructor-led Adobe Photoshop course prices start at $1330 per student. Group training discounts are available.
Self-Paced Adobe Photoshop eLearning courses cost $250 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.
A: If you are wondering what Adobe Photoshop skills are important to learn, we've written an Adobe Photoshop Skills and Learning Guide that maps out Photoshop skills that are key to master and which of our courses teaches each skill.
A: Generally, the best way to learn Adobe Photoshop is through structured courses taught by live instructors that cover the concepts you need to know and offer opportunities for hands-on learning. Your potential to master Photoshop can depend on choosing an appropriate learning environment, whether you opt for online or in-person classes. Individuals who are new to Photoshop may experience a learning curve that can demand weeks or months of training and practice, while those who are familiar with image editing programs can learn new and relevant skills in just days.
More Information on the Best Way to Learn Photoshop and How Long it Takes
A: Yes. While it’s possible to learn Photoshop online by referencing videos and tutorials offered by Adobe, many people new to the software find that taking Photoshop courses is a much more effective way to master this complex program. These types of courses can be taken in person at sites all over the country as well as online. Classes can last anywhere from a few days to months, and the cost can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
A: For beginners or advanced users of Photoshop, learning new skills is as simple as choosing the right course. While there are many Photoshop books, videos, tutorials, and guides available, good courses are often those that are taught by a live instructor and are highly structured. To choose the perfect class, users should consider their industry and professional duties and pick a class that covers relevant skills. Beginners should enroll in classes that teach the software's fundamentals, such as its interface, before attempting to learn about the software's advanced features.
A: Photoshop is used by creative professionals to create and alter digital images. People who commonly use this program include photographers, graphic designers, Web designers, and advertisers. While projects and the way that they're created or modified can vary between professions, users typically employ the software to retouch photos, combine images, add effects, and create mock-ups. Photoshop can be used to facilitate the refinement of shapes, textures, and lines or add text to an image. Beginners can use pre-existing templates to easily start and complete projects. To master Photoshop skills, novices are encouraged to sign up for instructor-led classes.
A: Graphic design with Photoshop can be tricky to learn on your own, so it's best to find a skilled instructor to guide you. They can help you with acquiring basic abilities like manipulating images, adding text, and applying effects with hands-on instruction and real-time feedback. Whether you're looking to learn basic or advanced graphic design skills to use in print, in video production, or on the Web, the right training can make all the difference.
A: Photographers use Photoshop alongside other Adobe products to retouch, enhance, and transform their photos. While the specific tools available to photographers can depend on their particular version of Photoshop, all of Adobe's programs can streamline a photographer's workflow, from basic duties like organizing to more advanced tasks like compositing. Considered the most feature-rich of Adobe's products, Photoshop can offer all that a photographer needs to complete work in both a desktop and mobile environment. Amateur photographers who want to master this program should enroll in instructor-led courses, as it can be rather difficult to learn independently.
More Information on How to Learn Photoshop for Photographers
A: Since Adobe Photoshop is a complex program, beginners who want to learn to use this software to edit images should first think about which types of modifications they want to make to their photos. Then, they should choose and get comfortable with the Photoshop features that make these modifications easiest. Some of these tools can be fairly simple, but others may be more complex. Reviewing Adobe's basic tutorials can get you started, but often, it's easier to learn what you need to know with the help of a professional instructor.
More Information on How to Learn to Edit Photos Using Adobe Photoshop
A: There are many different photoshop training courses available, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you. The best way to choose a Photoshop course is to consider your specific needs and objectives. For example, if you want to learn how to retouch photos, then you will need a different course than someone who wants to learn how to create graphic design layouts. Once you have determined your objectives, you can begin to research different photoshop courses that will help you achieve your goals.
Certstaffix Training's Photoshop courses teach topics like Photo Corrections, Selections, Layers, Masks and Channels, Typography, Vector Drawings, Brushes, and more.
A: The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your prior experience with similar software, your willingness to practice and learn new techniques, and the specific goals you hope to achieve with Photoshop.
That said, most people who take our Adobe Photoshop classes online report feeling confident and proficient after completing the course. Many students can begin using the software for their projects immediately after finishing the class. Practice after class is important for first-time or less experienced users.
A: The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your prior experience with similar software, your willingness to practice and learn new techniques, and the specific goals you hope to achieve with Photoshop.
That said, most people who take our Adobe Photoshop classes online report feeling confident and proficient after completing the course. Many students can begin using the software for their projects immediately after finishing the class. Practice after class is important for first-time or less experienced users.
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the difficulty of learning Photoshop will vary depending on your prior experience and knowledge. However, we can say that our Adobe Photoshop classes are designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all skill levels.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, our training can help you get the most out of this powerful software. The key for new Photoshop users is to keep practicing after class until each concept you wish to use regularly is firmly learned and comes naturally when you need to perform each. This can take several days to several months of practice, depending on your prior experience level and number of Photoshop features you are looking to utilize on a regular basis.
A: As one of the most popular image editing programs available, Photoshop is used by people all over the world to edit and enhance photos and images. While the program has many features and tools, there are some skills that are considered essential for anyone who wants to use Photoshop effectively.
1. Layers - One of the most powerful features in Photoshop is the ability to work with layers. Layers allow you to make changes to an image without affecting the underlying image data. This makes it possible to easily experiment with different effects and make changes without having to start from scratch.
2. Masking - Masking is another powerful feature in Photoshop that allows you to selectively edit parts of an image. Masking makes it possible to isolate areas of an image so that you can make changes without affecting the rest of the image.
3. Selection Tools - Photoshop has a number of selection tools that allow you to select specific parts of an image for editing. These selection tools include the marquee tools, lasso tools, and magic wand tool.
4. Brushes - Photoshop comes with a variety of brushes that can be used for various purposes such as painting, retouching, and airbrushing. The different types of brushes available include standard brushes, airbrushes, calligraphic brushes, and custom brushes.
5. Adjustment Layers - Adjustment layers are special layers that allow you to apply adjustments to an image without affecting the underlying image data. This is a great way to experiment with different effects and make changes without having to start from scratch.
6. Filters - Photoshop comes with a number of built-in filters that can be used to change the look of an image. These filters include blur filters, sharpening filters, noise reduction filters, and color correction filters.
7. Layer Styles - Layer styles are special effects that can be applied to layers. These effects can be used to create drop shadows, glows, bevels, and other effects.
8. Type Tools - Photoshop includes a number of type tools that allow you to add text to an image. These type tools include the horizontal type tool, vertical type tool, and Warp Text tool.
9. Shape Layers - Shape layers are special layers that allow you to create shapes in an image. These shapes can be used to create selections, masks, and even type.
10. Vector Layers - Vector layers are special layers that allow you to create vector graphics in an image. Vector graphics are resolution independent which means they can be scaled up or down without losing quality.
These are just some of the top Photoshop skills that you should learn in order to use the program effectively. By learning these skills, you'll be able to create stunning images and photos that will wow your friends and family.