Learn Photoshop: All of the Basics for Beginners

19 Mar 2010

We frequently publish posts on this blog that feature tutorials for learning how to do various things with Photoshop, but we have rarely focused on just the basics. This post is intended for designers or aspiring designers who either want to get started with Photoshop or have limited experience and are looking to improve.

While there are plenty of great learning resources available online, it’s often difficult for beginners to know where to get started because everything seems to be scattered. With this post you’ll find links to plenty of resources to teach you all the basics and fundamentals of Photoshop.

Most of the resources and tutorials listed in this post will focus on teaching one particular aspect of Photoshop, such as how to use a specific tool. Everything is broken down into sections so you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Intro to Photoshop’s Tools and UI:

The resources in this section will serve as an introduction for those who are new to Photoshop. They will help you to learn your way around the interface and with some of the basics of Photoshop.

Getting Started with Photoshop

Getting Started in Photoshop

Photoshop’s Toolbox

Using Palettes in Photoshop

More resources for learning the tools and UI:

Layers, Layer Styles, Layer Masks and Adjustment Layers:

In order to be able to efficiently and effectively work with Photoshop you will need a solid understanding of layers. The resources in this section provide guides for working with layers in Photoshop, as well as layer styles, layer masks and adjustment layers.

Working with Layers in Photoshop

Photoshop Layers Essential Power Shortcuts

Layer Styles in Photoshop

Saving, Loading and Reusing Layer Styles in Photoshop

Understanding Layer Masks in Photoshop

Getting to Know Clipping Masks and Layer Masks in Photoshop

A Basic Guide to Photoshop CS4 Adjustment Layers

Photoshop 101: Adjustment Layers

More resources for working with layers:

The Pen Tool:

Photoshop’s pen tool can be used for impressive results, but it can be very difficult to use if you don’t understand how it works. The following resources will provide helpful guides to explain the pen tool and how you can use it in your own work.

Photoshop’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide

Photoshop Pen Tool Guide

Making Selections with the Pen Tool

Become a Master of the Pen Tool in Under 30 Minutes

More resources for the pen tool:

Pen Tool Cheatsheet

Brushes and Other Presets:

Brushes, patterns, shapes, and the other presets are an essential part of Photoshop. Whether you are using the presets that come with the software, downloading those created by other designers, or creating your own, learning the potential of these presets and how to work with them should be a priority.

Beginner’s Guide to Photoshop Brushes

Photoshop’s Brush Tool – Basic Guide

Installing and Managing Brushes and Other Presets

How to Create Your Own Photoshop Brushes

Guide to Patterns in Photoshop

More resources for brushes and presets:

Type Tool:

The type tool is a little more straightforward than some of the others for beginners, but it still helps to have a firm grasp of how the tool works and what you can do with text in Photoshop.

A Comprehensive Introduction to the Type Tool

Tip: How to Change Text Orientation

Photoshop 101: The Type Tool

Transform:

With Photoshop’s transform capabilities you can edit and manipulate objects in a variety of different ways. The links provided below with get you started.

Using Transform in Photoshop

Photoshop 101: How to Use the Free Transform Tool

Photoshop Free Transform Tutorial

Selections:

The are several different ways to make selections in Photoshop, and each technique has certain situations where it works better than others. Here you’ll learn about the basic selection tools and when to use them.

The Selection Tools

A Comprehensive Introduction to Photoshop Selection Techniques

Master Photoshop’s Selection Tools in Under 30 Minutes

The Magnetic Lasso Tool

The Polygonal Lasso Tool

The Lasso Tool

How to Cut an Object in Photoshop Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool

The Elliptical Marquee Tool

The Rectangular Marquee Tool

Five Secrets of the Marquee Tools in Photoshop

More resources for selections:

Clone Stamp Tool:

The clone stamp tool allows you to duplicate, or clone, an area. The resources below will explain how to tool works and how you can use it.

How to Manipulate Images with the Photoshop Clone Stamp Tool

Useful Applications for the Clone Stamp Tool

Blend Modes:

Photoshop’s various blend modes give users a lot of potential to create different results quickly and easily. The links in this section will explain how you can play with the blend modes of your layers and what types of changes it will have.

An Explanation of Photoshop Blend Modes

Photoshop’s Five Essential Blend Modes for Photo Editing

More resources for blend modes:

Filters

Photoshop has a number of different filters that you can use, and each has its own purpose and use. These links will explain some of the different filters, how they work, and when you should use them.

Photoshop’s Filters

Getting to Grips with the Vanishing Point Filter

10 Photoshop Filters You Should Definitely Know

Channels:

Earlier we provided some links to tutorials on selection methods. Channels can also be used to select and extract, as well as to edit photos in other ways.

Digging into Channels as an Extraction Tool

Photoshop 101: Working with Alpha Channels

Smart Objects:

Photoshop smart objects can help you to save time on repetitive tasks, and these links will show you how to use them.

Genius Ways to Use Photoshop Smart Objects

Photoshop Smart Objects, Smart but not Always that Smart

Actions:

Photoshop actions are a great way to automate certain processes and save time. You can create your own actions or use those created by others.

Lights! Camera! Photoshop Actions!

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Actions

More resources for Photoshop actions:

Efficiency and Performance:

If you use Photoshop a lot you will want to make the most of your time with it. The resources here will help you to work smarter with as little wasted time as possible.

Professional Tips for Improving Photoshop’s Performance

20 Photoshop Tips for a Faster Workflow

Create Your Own Custom Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts

Batch Editing and Automated Processing in Photoshop

More resources for efficiency and performance:

Saving Images:

These links will show you how you can save and optimize images that are going to be used on websites, for maximum performance.

Saving Images for the Web

Save for Web, Simply

Optimizing Images for the Web with Photoshop

Working with Colors in Photoshop:

Colors are, of course, an essential part of any design. These resources will explain the basics of working with color in Photoshop.

Photoshop Color: Custom Photoshop Color Swatches and Sets

Photoshop Color Replacement Tool

More resources for working with color:

Design for Print:

Designing for print is different than designing for the web. These links will explain some of the intricacies of designing for print and how it should be handled.

Spot UVs, Proofs, Roll Folds and Other Printing Terminology Explained

Designing for Print – Setting Up Crops and Bleeds

More resources for designing for print:

Working with Graphics Tablets:

Although it is not necessary, you may choose to work with a graphics tablet. These links will explain how to do so and how to decide on the tablet that is right for you.

Using Pen Tablets in Photoshop

How to Choose a Graphics Tablet that Fits Your Needs

Now that you’ve learned the basics of Photoshop, here are some tutorial collections that you may want to check out:

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Tags: absolute beginners, adjustment layers, aspiring designers, feature tutorials, interface tutorial, layer masks, palettes, photoshop 5, photoshop layers

6 Responses to Learn Photoshop: All of the Basics for Beginners

photoshop.artbosco

March 20th, 2010 at 7:01 am

Perhaps the answer to your question can be found on various blogs. I recommend reading this blog who are fans photoshop

matt z

March 21st, 2010 at 5:52 am

See links below. No matter how hard or long they look, even a beginner should be able to follow the directions.

Be sure to look around their sites to see the other tutorials that may interest you.

Or Google "photoshop tutorial".

lilmisslauz

March 24th, 2010 at 4:50 am

you can do that and just depot the shadows that come with it.i know NYX cosmetics is the same size as mac shadows too, so u can depot those aswell. you can also just buy an already empty pallette like from coastelscents.com or ebay or internet [[they also sell them at mac for $15]] and just buy the shadows from mac. its way cheaper this way anyway. regular mac shadows are like $14-$15 and the mac shadow pan refill are only $9. theyre the same exact size it just doesn't come in that black container.
you can buy the shadows at macy's mac counter, nordstrom's mac counter, or the mac pro store.

We All Shine On!

March 24th, 2010 at 9:54 pm

Martha Stewart

Ari

March 25th, 2010 at 9:41 am

for working layer in photoshop here a good tutorial for layer
go no 4 to see full layer tutorial
http://www.photoshopwebsite.com/photoshop-tutorials/50-basic-photoshop-tutorials-for-beginners/

Will H

April 9th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Photoshop Elements is pretty basic, change to Adobe Photoshop for real power, I've used it for the last 20yrs as a Graphic Artist and you can't go past it. I have heard that the open source programme "GIMP" is very good and closely resembles Photoshop (yes curves and levels) and it's free. Of course it will take time and experience to learn either programme.

http://www.gimpshop.com

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