Photoshop is an increasingly complex software, which makes it overwhelming to anyone new to the program. Here are three simple tips to get started.
I can think of two primary reasons that Photoshop feels so complicated. One reason is because of the incorporation of layers, something that Lightroom doesn’t have, but is essential for any task you’ll do in Photoshop. The second reason is because of the vast number of options. The menus alone are filled with things that I still don’t understand. Multiple buttons, icons, and windows add to the confusion. Thankfully, learning just a few basic skills will apply to most of the adjustments you will need to make in Photoshop.
In the video above, Aaron Nace of PHLEARN gives us three basic techniques every beginner needs to know. His tips include applying adjustment layers, masking layers, and saving your images. These three skills will give you everything you need to get started. One thing I will add for a beginner is that you should learn how to make a selection properly so you can apply your edits to a specific part of your photo rather than the whole thing. This is the primary advantage that Photoshop offers that are difficult to do in other programs like Lightroom. You can check out this article if you need help on making accurate selections.
If you are new to Photoshop, dive in and don’t be overwhelmed by how complicated it seems. There is a lot to learn, but the video above is a great place to start.
The link to the article helping accurate selection is missing ;-)