Getting started with Photoshop can be a daunting process to go through. There are so many tools for processing images online, but none of them are as complex as Photoshop. In fact, you look online for how to get something done on Photoshop then the chances are you will get a little overwhelmed of what you might find.
In the majority of cases, the majority of Photoshop pros will show you many different techniques of getting even the simplest of tasks done which can get very confusing for those just starting out with the software. The very nature of Photoshop means that dedication and a steep learning curve is needed to learn it.
In fact, this is why so many businesses choose to outsource Photoshop work to a graphic design agency who know exactly what they are doing. So, please keep in mind that is article is not intended to be a complete tutorial to using Photoshop. Instead, it is for those who are looking to get started with it.
First of All, Get Comfortable
Adobe is brilliant when it comes to making life easier. They have an integrated feature called workspace that allows you to set up your panels just the way you want them. However, if you are just starting out with Photoshop, then a good way of getting to know the software would be to play around with some of the workspaces’ preset layouts and see which ones you like the most.
Play Around With Selections
The selection tool is great because it allows you to select areas of an image when you click and drag over them. You can make selections in several ways. One way is to use the magic wand tool and click on an area of your image to make a selection. You can add to the selection by holding the shift key when you click on an area, and by holding the alt/option when you click on an area.
Get Familiar With Layers
One of the first but most fundamental elements to learn in Photoshop is the layers feature. Layers are where you basically stack different images on top of each other, merge images together and much more. However, when it comes to layers, it’s important to be aware that you are not going to learn it all in one session.
Learn About Opacity
The opacity of a layer basically refers to how much you can see through it. For example. If a layer has 50% opacity, it means it’s 50% transparent. 100% means you cannot see through it at all. To lower or increase a layer’s opacity, you simply enter the number of the opacity you want. So, if you want the opacity of a layer to be 60%, then you would enter 6. You can also have double-digit opacity. For example, if you want a layer to have an opacity of 85%, then you would enter 85.
Know Your Smart Objects
Just like layers, smart objects are one of the most used features on Photoshop. They enable you to make unlimited changes without losing image quality. This is a non-destructive way of working on Photoshop. You can convert any layer into a smart object by first selecting the layer, then right-clicking on that layer and choosing the “Convert to Smart Object” option. Once have done that, the smart object icon appears on the layer in red.
Get Your Filter Game On
The concept of camera filters are digital incorporated into Photoshop and are convenient for editing images swiftly and effectively. Filters can be functional such as the sharpen filters which will help you to correct photos that are blurry or stylistic such as the texture filters that can give images unique effects.
Conclusion
Like we mentioned at the beginning of the article, getting started with Photoshop can be daunting. But, learning the basics slowly can help you learn how to use this piece software. Practice makes perfect, so with some dedication, you will learn the interface in no time at all. Knowing what Photoshop can do will help you edit your images and create digital content that is visually compelling.
