Photoshop offers a vast array of tools, but not all of them are worth your time. Some are outdated, others have better alternatives. This fantastic video tutorial will show you 10 such cases.
Coming to you from Unmesh Dinda of PiXimperfect, this enlightening video examines 10 Photoshop features you should never use. The sharpen tool tops the list. Found in the blur tool group, it does sharpen images but offers no control over the process. It is destructive, meaning you can't adjust the effect later. A better alternative is the high pass technique or using Smart Sharpen, which allows you to modify settings as needed and apply sharpening selectively using masks.
Next up, the dodge and burn tools. These tools brighten or darken parts of an image but are also destructive. Once applied, you can't go back. A non-destructive method involves using a new layer set to soft light and painting with black or white. This approach offers more flexibility and control, letting you adjust or remove the effect at any time.
The sponge tool is another one to avoid. It saturates or desaturates parts of your image but, again, destructively (I'm sure you're noticing a theme). Instead, use adjustment layers like Hue/Saturation or Vibrance, which provide more control and can be adjusted or masked as needed.
Finally, the magnetic lasso tool, once a staple for selections, is now outdated. Newer tools like quick selection or object selection are more efficient and accurate. They automatically detect edges, making selections faster and easier without the hassle of manually tracing the edges. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dinda.
They are only destructive if one overwrites the original. Or doesn't know how to use undo.
Btw .. thanks for the far more complicated alternatives. I'll use them if I think the extra time is worth it.
This article would have been much better without the click bait and just offering alternative methods. Teach us what alternatives are available and any benefits instead of getting all superiority complex on us
What he's demonstrating are basic yet powerful tools in Photoshop that can be adjusted at any time. Keep in mind that once you close the file or if it freezes, your Undo function is lost. This guy is straightforward and not about clickbait. You might want to check out his YouTube channel; there's a lot to learn from him if one is not familiar with Photoshop! 😉