Photoshop for Complete Beginners | Lesson 1

PiXimperfect・2 minutes read

Photoshop is a program for editing and creating images using pixels and offers various essential tools and features like the move tool, brush tool, and text tool for image editing and creation. Understanding concepts like masks, smudging, and shortcuts is crucial in mastering Photoshop for efficient and effective image editing and manipulation.

Insights

  • Photoshop utilizes pixels to create and edit images, with tools, panels, and the canvas forming the workspace. Customizing the workspace for personal preference and understanding components like the menu bar, options bar, and status bar are essential for efficient navigation and editing.
  • Key tools like the move tool, brush tool, and text tool have specific shortcuts and functionalities within Photoshop, allowing for precise adjustments and modifications. Understanding concepts like layers, saving files, and utilizing filters like Gaussian Blur for effects, along with mastering techniques such as smudging for refining edges, are crucial for effective image editing in Photoshop.

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Recent questions

  • What are pixels in Photoshop?

    Pixels are small boxes with single colors that combine to form images in Photoshop. They are the building blocks of digital images, representing the smallest unit of color and detail in a picture.

  • How can I create a new file in Photoshop?

    To create a new file in Photoshop, go to the "New" option in the menu bar and select presets like landscape, portrait, or art, or customize dimensions by specifying width and height in pixels. Ensure the color profile is sRGB, background is white, and choose 8-bit before clicking on "Create" to generate the new document.

  • What is the move tool used for in Photoshop?

    The move tool in Photoshop is essential for moving elements within the canvas. It allows users to drag and reposition layers, images, or text on the canvas. Options like aligning to the canvas are available in the options bar when using the move tool.

  • How can I save a file in Photoshop?

    To save a file in Photoshop, go to the "File" menu and select "Save." Choose a file name and format like JPEG, PNG, or PSD. Consider that formats like JPEG do not support layers. If layers are added, saving as a PSD file is necessary to retain all layers.

  • What is the purpose of the history panel in Photoshop?

    The history panel in Photoshop tracks all steps taken during the editing process, allowing for easy undo and redo using shortcuts like Ctrl/Command + Z and Ctrl/Command + Shift + Z. It provides a visual timeline of changes made to the document, enabling users to navigate back and forth through their editing history.

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Summary

00:00

"Photoshop: Editing Images with Pixels and Tools"

  • Photoshop is a program for editing and creating images using pixels.
  • Pixels are small boxes with single colors that combine to form images.
  • The home screen in Photoshop displays recent projects and assets.
  • Opening Photoshop workspace reveals various buttons and settings.
  • Three major components in Photoshop workspace are tools, panels, and canvas.
  • Customizing workspace involves arranging tools and panels for personal preference.
  • Saving a customized workspace allows easy access to preferred settings.
  • The status bar at the bottom shows zoom level and document parameters.
  • The menu bar at the top controls functions and settings in Photoshop.
  • The options bar below the menu bar displays tool-specific settings in Photoshop.

14:28

Photoshop Basics: Creating, Saving, and Editing Files

  • To create a new file in Photoshop, go to "New" and select presets like landscape, portrait, or art, or customize dimensions by specifying width and height in pixels.
  • Ensure the color profile is sRGB, background is white, and choose 8-bit for now before clicking on "Create" to generate the new document.
  • To save the file, go to "File" and select "Save," choosing a file name and format like JPEG, PNG, or PSD, considering that formats like JPEG do not support layers.
  • If layers are added, saving as a PSD file is necessary to retain all layers, ensuring compatibility by checking "Maximize Compatibility" before saving.
  • To update a saved file, simply make changes and go to "File" then "Save" to update the existing document without creating a new file.
  • For creating a copy in a different format like JPEG or PNG, use "File" then "Save a Copy" to preserve the original document while saving a copy in the desired format.
  • In Photoshop, the workspace consists of tools, panels, and the canvas, with the menu bar, options bar, and status bar providing additional controls and information.
  • The move tool is essential for moving elements within the canvas, with options like aligning to the canvas available in the options bar.
  • Auto Select can be used to automatically select layers when moving elements, but caution is advised due to potential selection errors, with the move tool shortcut being the letter "V."
  • The brush tool, activated by pressing "B," is used for painting on the canvas, with options like brush type, size, and hardness adjustable in the options bar, and shortcuts like bracket keys for size adjustment.

28:13

Mastering Photoshop: Essential Tools and Shortcuts

  • The move tool shortcut is V, brush tool shortcut is B, and text tool shortcut is T.
  • The text tool is similar to other programs like Word, allowing for text selection, font changes, and size adjustments.
  • Text size can be manually input, and additional properties like line and letter spacing can be controlled.
  • Text can be added by clicking or dragging to create a text box, with options to align left, right, or center.
  • Modifying text is as simple as double-clicking on the text layer's T icon.
  • The zoom tool can be used by clicking and dragging to zoom in or out, with the option to use scrubby zoom for section zooming.
  • Zooming can also be done using the move tool shortcut (Ctrl/Command + Spacebar).
  • To fit the image to the canvas, use Ctrl/Command + 0 shortcut.
  • The history panel tracks all steps, allowing for easy undo and redo using Ctrl/Command + Z and Ctrl/Command + Shift + Z.
  • The canvas displays images as tabs, which can be arranged, compared, and have background colors changed for better visualization.

41:27

Photoshop Techniques: Blur, Masks, and Mastery

  • To apply a blur effect in Photoshop, navigate to the Filter menu and select Gaussian Blur, adjusting the amount to around 16 pixels for a pleasing result. However, edges may still appear problematic due to color bleeding from the previous background, which can be rectified by smudging the cutout inward using the Smudge Tool.
  • Understanding the concept of masks in Photoshop, where white reveals and black conceals, is crucial for editing. Smudging the cutout to refine edges involves selecting the cutout layer, using the Smudge Tool with a strength of 50, and pushing the edges inward for a polished finish.
  • Mastering Photoshop involves grasping key concepts rather than memorizing steps, with curiosity being a vital ingredient for absolute proficiency. A practical exercise involves using the Object Selection Tool to remove elements from a photo, utilizing shortcuts like Shift+Backspace or Shift+Delete, and exploring further tools for refining selections.
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