Photoshop tutorials for beginners - step by step course. How to quickly learn how to work with Photoshop and which version is better to use Not saving PSD

Is Photoshop new to you? We'll help you figure out what's what!

Learning Photoshop can take a lot of time, and there are a lot of things that I, unfortunately, did not know about when I started. Therefore, today I present to your attention ten useful notes, thanks to which working with Photoshop will become much easier! You will learn about the most important tools and tricks that even a beginner can master.

1. Get to know the Tools

This is the Photoshop toolbar.

Click on the double arrow to arrange the tools on the panel in one or two rows.

Did you know that you can customize it for yourself?

Although many useful tools will always be in your sight, you may miss the additional tools hidden behind the triangles in the lower right corner, using only what is located "on the surface".

So customize the toolbar for yourself - let it be a useful reminder to try new tools!

Click Edit > Toolbar(Edit > Toolbar...) to manually select the tools. Group them according to priority levels - for example, one group could be tools that you have yet to master, and the other - those that you use constantly.

Don't overload the panel with tools you don't use; put your favorite instruments in it instead!

Decide on the Core Toolkit

All tools will not be needed in every job and so it is important to build a strong base, with a few flexible tools that are good at different types works.

Here you see two different projects: tablet drawing and photo manipulation. Did you notice that the tools for both projects are identical?

While the first project is entirely drawing, the second one is very dependent on my illustrative skills. So don't worry if you're not familiar with these tools yet! Your core set should reflect your interests, be it design, photography, or illustration.

Also, don't forget that many of Photoshop's tools can be used for different purposes. For example, a tool Pen(Pen) can be used both to separate the model from the background, and to create a vector illustration.

There are other tools you will need, but consider them secondary. For example, tools Pen(Feather) and move(Move), at first glance, do not seem very creative, but they are needed (and sometimes needed very often) to improve the workflow.

What are your main tools?

In the beginning, you will always have favorites. But as your skills improve, challenge yourself to try new tools and creative effects.

2. Introduction to the Layers Panel

Rollover Control-Shift-N creates a new layer.

Layers panel very efficient and helpful. It will change the way you design, opening up the myriad possibilities in Photoshop.

But how?

Well, in general, the panel allows you to control several parameters. Opacity(Opacity), Fill(Fill) and color(Color) are just a few. With these options, you can modify your layers to create many cool effects.

Text effects, for example, are often created using incredible Layer Styles(Layer styles).

In the beginning, you'll probably use the Layers panel for its primary purpose of keeping your work on separate layers, but I highly recommend getting to grips with it. Explore the panel as much as you can and you'll discover new ways to create detailed work.

Experiencing color issues? Try to work with Layer Blend Modes(Layer blend modes). Want to get a brighter result? Maybe your solution is adjustment layer(adjustment layer).

3. Save Time With Layer Masks

It's time to have an important conversation - a conversation about layer masks.

For beginners, layer masks can be confusing, but they are vital to effective editing.

To use a layer mask:

Here I've drawn a circle in the middle of the mask to show the white background underneath the blue filled layer.

Use layer masks in any work! Incorporate them into your day-to-day work so that any adjustments can always be painlessly undone.

Most of the time, the difficulty with this feature comes from not knowing when to use it. Beginners often just use the tool Eraser(Eraser) as this is the fastest solution.

You can also use masks to create isolated objects and then insert them into your work.

4. Control-S Right?

Quality matters, so before you save your work and close the program, consider the following:

• Why do I need this file?
• Where can I store it?
• In what format do I need it?
• How to save it in the best quality?

Above you see a comparison of different quality levels, 1 - 83%, 2 - 1%. Image courtesy of Envato Elements.

What and Where

The answer to the first question is whether your work will be used online. In graphic materials for online posts, quality is not as important, while printed materials must be saved at high resolution. Explore the print guidelines to understand why these are needed. important settings, as Color Modes(Color Profile) and how to manage them.

Store your files somewhere on your computer that you have quick access to. Photoshop can throw an error if some elements (such as fonts) are missing from the file, so try to keep everything in order.

Format and quality

Now that you know what your work is for, you can move on to saving it in a suitable format. Many designers save their work in multiple formats, which provides additional flexibility.

Click File > Export > Save for Web(File > Export > Save for Web).

Check out how your work looks with different compression settings. Avoid quality loss!

How good will your design look when printed?

Saving work in different formats is also necessary in order to understand the quality of printing. If, for example, your drawing, design or other work contains bright neon colors, then you may be disappointed with the physical result.

Minimalist design is a huge trend in part because it gives you more typing options. This design is often easier to print and therefore used more often.

What looks good on screen won't always look good on paper. There are many reasons for this, and the essence of one of them is how exactly the ink falls on paper. It is also essential for this step to understand the difference between color profiles. RGB and CMYK.

Work according to your situation. To open/change Color Mode(Color Profile) of your file, click Edit > Color Settings(Edit > Adjust Colors…).

Test your work by printing it out! To achieve the best result, find out the intricacies of the printer for a particular printing industry.

6. Sets! Sets! Sets!

In the real world, there are things like tight deadlines and intimidating tasks. So save valuable time by using Photoshop's built-in presets!

There are sets of brushes, shapes, patterns, and more. You can quickly add a filter to your photo or create a brochure with abstract elements.

To view them all, click Edit > Presets > Preset Manager(Edit > Presets > Manage Presets).

One of my favorite sets is brush sets. Brush sets from your favorite artists are great too, but use the ones you already have!

These sets include various textures, beautiful gradients and more.

In the screenshot you see an example of a set of brushes Wet Media (Wet brushes).

Use kits to create amazing effects! They're already organized for your convenience, so all you have to do is download them and get started.

7. Easily Change Colors With Adjustment Layers

Create incredible lighting schemes with just a couple of clicks!

Adjustment Layers(Adjustment Layers) are just perfect for beginners in Photoshop. They allow you to seamlessly change many of the visual aspects of your work.

Need to save original photo? No problems. Tools that let you roll back any changes, like adjustment layers, can help you create amazing effects without losing quality.

To use an adjustment layer color lookup(color search):

Click Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Lookup(Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Search). Select file set 3DLUT File from the dropdown menu. Click OK and enjoy the result.

Stock Photo Envato Elements.

Adjustment layers are one of my favorite tools, and I'm very happy with the fact that they are also suitable for illustrations on a tablet!

Photoshop artists use these adjustments to try out different color palettes before making a final decision. Explore different lighting schemes and more with incredible tools like Curves(Curves).

8. Learn to organize your Workspace

Chefs love to keep their kitchens tidy as it keeps them tidy and productive. So why not create yourself a clean workplace in Photoshop?

The organization contributes to the creation of a good working atmosphere. And even if sloppiness seems very creative, an organized workspace can enhance your work.

First, close all unnecessary tabs!

After that, there are still many ways to do everything even more accurately. For example, you can pin and unpin your favorite panels and toolboxes.

Then click Window > Arrange(Window > Arrange).

Choose one of the layout options listed so that all your documents display neatly. Keep sources of inspiration close at hand so you can easily access them.

The standard solution is Consolidate All to Tabs(Combine all in tabs) but you can also choose to e.g. 2-up Vertical(2 up, horizontal) to place the sample next to your work.

Need to get your workspace back to its original state? Click Window > Workspace > Reset Essentials(Window > Workspace > Reset Main Workspace).

Each artist's workplace will be different. Some people like to see more dashboards than others. For example, I am not one of those, as I prefer to minimize the mess. But whatever you personally like, you can always customize the working environment the way you want.

9. Master the Pen Tool

Tool Pen(Feather) (P) can be intimidating at times, however, with time you will be able to fully master it.

First, get to know the tool itself. Option Path(Contour) is needed to select an area, and shape(Shape) allows you to create your own shapes.

Then get to know Path Operations(Operations with contour), Alignment(Contour alignment) and Arrangement(Contour ordering). Designers who are familiar with Adobe Illustrator may find it easier to get comfortable with this tool.

Most The best way to master something is to experiment! Create a bunch of lines and swirls and then play around with the settings like Blending Options(Overlay options). The possibilities are truly endless! Don't forget to use the Pen tool when creating text effects, illustrations, and more!

10. Memorize Hot Keys

Hotkeys are not new.

However, designers sometimes have trouble remembering them. Want to learn a little trick to help you remember these keys?

Try this old trick to help you think about tools. When you think about hot key, present an image that explains what it is, or how to use it.

By pressing the letter B, which calls up the tool Brush(Brush), I automatically render like this:

Remember these keys in order of priority. As in the first part of the lesson, it is important to figure out which hotkeys you need the most. You will also need to memorize additional keys related to your favorite instruments.

To increase the size of the brush, for example, press the right or left square bracket: [ or ] .

Your favorite hotkeys are easy to remember as you use them often, but it's worth exploring new possibilities.

You won't master Photoshop in one day, and that's absolutely fine! Just think of it as a creative adventure that gets better with time.

Before you close this lesson, remember:

1. Decide on your core toolkit
2. Get to know the Layers panel
3. Save time with layer masks
4. Save files correctly
5. Know the difference between print and web recommendations
6. Use sets...
7. ...and adjustment layers.
8. Organize your workplace.
9. Learn the pen tool.
10. Memorize hotkeys.

Try these tips and tell us in the comments about the most useful for you!

It is impossible to imagine modern high-quality advertising without computer processing of photos or videos. People just won't understand.

A little over a month ago there was a post with well-known photographs of modern studios and individual creative masters. Today - the second part, many of their photographs were made by the same authors. Many prints have been seen in advertising campaigns, some - you can guess where.

Learning from the best!

Platinum FMD, Brazil

Remix Studio Bangkok, Thailand

Carioca Studio, Romania

Cream Studios, Australia

Beefactory, Belgium

Saddington & Baynes, UK

Saddington & Baynes is one of the pioneers of digital retouching. The studio began its work in 1991, when this instrument was not so widespread, and therefore the studio took over the mission of studying and distributing it.

Advertising images for Saddington & Baynes photographers and designers are complex, layered and almost technically perfect. Their striving for the absolute is appreciated by the world's leading advertising agencies A: They partner with Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy, BBDO, Lowe and many more around the world.

Jekill "n" Hyde Studio, Belgium

The services of the Jekill "n" Hyde retouching studio are used by most European photographers. Which, in general, is not surprising. The studio not only does its job on the highest level, but also directly admits - "We love photography."

Garrigosa Studio, Spain

Studio Garrigosa makes the wildest fantasies of creatives come true.

The name of the studio comes from Joan Garrigosa, one of the legendary advertising photographers whose passion grew into a strong studio with offices in several European countries.

Staudinger & Franke, Austria

Studio Staudinger+Franke is an Austrian photography/advertising agency that specializes in the development of creative images.

Founded by Robert Staudinger and Andreas Franke, the studio works with both European and American clients. Their portfolio includes creative for Lipton, Juicy Fruit, Coca Cola, Absolut.

Electric Art, Australia

Electric Art is an internationally recognized retouching studio located in the heart of Sydney's creative Surry Hills.

Over the past 15 years, the studio has built a solid reputation in the print post-production industry by delivering outstanding solutions to all of its clients and exceeding all technical and creative requirements.

Lightfarm Studios, New Zealand

Cream Studios, Australia

Cream photo retouching and 3D modeling studio is one of the largest and most reputable studios in Australia.

The works of this studio are always distinguished by a special brilliance, moreover, most often in the truest sense of the word. Their works shine, play with highlights and attract the eye.

Christophe Huet, France

No matter how much we would like, but the surname of the retoucher Christophe Huet is read only as "We", Monsieur is French. But even without the Russian frontal transcription of the surname, he is a master of attracting attention and provocation.

The retouching surrealist and symbolist perfectly masters professional retouching tools, collaborates with most major European agencies and photographers, does not hesitate to share his work with people and has a strong social position. In addition, he is a composer and plays the piano beautifully.

Taylor James, United Kingdom

Taylor James aims to produce creative images, but more importantly, they must be compelling and compelling. They formulate the principles of their work as follows: perspective, light, angles, color and a three-dimensional way of thinking.

LSD, Italy

There are no big names in the portfolio of the Milanese studio LSD. However, taken together, the work of this team literally takes out the brain.

Two Italian guys Marco Casale and Paolo Dall "ara, known under the common "brand" LSD, shoot people, children, animals, and cars. By combining their talents, photographers have created a huge portfolio that amazes with both the quality of images and ideas.

Vienna Paint, Austria

The studio was founded in 1988, when few people had heard of computer photo retouching, and were engaged in it, according to the founders Andreas Fitzner and Albert Winkler, "a few insiders-dreamers."

From a small studio just starting to master retouching with tools that were not the most diverse at that time, Vienna Paint has become one of the largest and most famous as a result.

(examples of work are taken from the training portal http://www.photoshop-master.ru/)

Exercise 1

How to Create an Abstract Gold Ring in Photoshop The final image.

Step 1. Create a new document of any size with a black background. Create a new layer and take EllipticalMarqueeTool(Oval Selection) (M) with these options:

Hold down the SHIFT key and draw a circle as shown below:

Right click on selection and select Stroke(stroke):

-

Outline the selection with the following parameters: ( White color, width 2px)

We reduce Opacity(Opacity) of the layer to about 40% and we get this effect:

Step 2 Now let's use the Smoke brushes to add texture to the circle. Create a new layer and select one of the brushes from the set, then paint as shown below: (before working, reduce the size of the brush)

We use Edit-Transform-Warp(Edit - Transform - Warp) to transform the smoke around the circle:

soft eraser(E) Carefully remove the end of the smoke so that it blends smoothly into a circle:

Duplicate (CTRL+J) the smoke layer several times and place each copy around the circle.

Tip: Use FreeTransform(Free Transform) (CTRL+T) to rotate each layer and adjust its shape.

Merge all smoke layers together (CTRL+E) and duplicate (CTRL+J) the resulting layer several times. Then using FreeTransform(Free Transform) (CTRL+T) Transform the duplicated layer to add more effect:

Create a new layer and paint the smoke inside the circle, then scale it down. Opacity(Opacity) layer to about 20%:

Add an adjustment layer Levels (Levels) above all previous layers:

Edit the mask adjustment layer Levels (Levels):

We get the following result: (as you can see, by adding an adjustment layer, we increased the depth and contrast of the smoke)

Step 3 Now let's add a simple light effect to the circle. Create a new layer above all the previous ones and with a soft white brush make one click, as shown below:

Deform this layer with Warp(Deformation) by the shape of a circle:

As you can see, now we have a light spot:

Duplicate (CTRL+J) this layer several times to enhance the effect:

Repeat this process on the opposite side of the circle:

And we get this effect:

Step 4 Now we will add a cloud effect around the circle. To do this, create a new layer and draw a selection with EllipticalMarqueeTool(Oval selection) (M) (feather (feathering) 40 px), inside the selection, generate clouds using a filter filter-render-clouds(Filter - Rendering - Clouds):

Press CTRL+L and apply the following settings for the cloud layer:

Then we use Warp(Warp) to transform the clouds as shown below: (this will create a slight movement effect of the sphere)

And we get the following result:

Step 5 We're almost done! Let's add the finishing touches in the form of additional effects. I added more smoke to the top and bottom of the sphere:

To add a golden hue, I created an adjustment layer colorBalance(Color balance) above all previous layers:

And finally, we merge all layers layer-flattensImage(Layer - Flatten), then apply the filter filter-noise-Reducenoise(Filter - Noise - Reduce Noise): (this will sharpen the effect and reduce the color noise of the circle)

Here is a series of lessons that teach you how to use the Photoshop graphics editor - an incredibly popular and indispensable tool in web design, with the help of which not only buttons, banners and logos are created for the site, but even entire layouts. The design of almost any site that you visit was originally drawn in Photoshop, so knowledge of this program will definitely be useful for a webmaster, although image processing skills and creating your own drawings will not harm a simple PC user either. Digitizing photos, retouching old pictures, creating postcards and collages - this is just the beginning of a long list. useful action, which the editor allows you to make, and a cycle of lessons will help you get used to it.

Bookmark this page so you don't lose the table of contents and consistently study article after article, comprehending more and more new techniques for working in Photoshop.

But what will you learn in these lessons?

• 1 Getting Started in Photoshop - Quick Selection and Fill

  Here you will get acquainted with the interface of the program, find out what the main elements of the interface are for, learn how to create documents and save them, master the selection of areas on the canvas. Also from the lesson you will understand how to fill areas with color, understand the principles of working with the program. After mastering the information, you will learn how to perform simple actions and be able to independently explore other editor tools.

• 2 Layers and text
  

  All Photoshop images are built on layers. That is why editing in the program is so convenient. The lesson will tell you what layers are, why they are needed and how to work with them. In addition, it describes the techniques for creating and processing inscriptions, as well as moving objects located on the canvas. After completing the lesson, processing multilayer documents will not be a problem for you.

• 3 Filters
  

  You will get acquainted with a huge library of scripts that change the image. Editor filters can not only give the finished image one effect or another, but even create new objects and frame the photo.

• 4 Working with images
  

  The article gives the basics of processing already existing graphic files. Editing several images at once, moving objects from one drawing to another, resizing and removing unnecessary parts - these are just a partial list of lesson topics.

• 5 Transformation
  

  The lesson will teach you how to scale image elements, change proportions, tilt, distort and deform them.

• 6 Drawing - brush and pencil
  

  The first in a series of articles about tools for creating your own masterpieces. A long time ago Computer techologies have evolved to the point of being able to imitate drawing on paper. You will learn how to create with a virtual pencil and brush - sketches and watercolor paintings can now be easily drawn and distributed on electronic media, making an unlimited number of copies and without worrying about the safety of labor.

• 7 Drawing - Shapes
  

  Creating objects by hand is one thing, and accuracy and speed are sometimes paramount. The lesson tells about the tools with which you can create perfectly even geometric shapes of a given size in just a few clicks. From a simple square to an ellipse, a star, and even a musical note, the article covers it all.

• 8 Drawing - paths and bitmaps
  

  Once and for all, you will remember the difference between a vector and a raster, what are the pros and cons of both approaches, and also learn why Photoshop needs shape outlines and what the pixel mode does.

• 9 Drawing - pen tool
  

  In continuation of working with contours, we study the tools of the Pen group. Purpose, method of application, description of the parameters, and as a result, you will learn how to draw atypical contours and create the most complex geometric objects.

• 10 Drawing - Magnetic pen tool
  

  The magnetic mode of the Freehand Pen tool has become so popular that it's called the "Magnetic Pen" tool, even though there's no such tool in Photoshop. What this function allows you to do, why users love it so much and how it will help you personally - read the article.

• 11 Image retouching tools
  

  To use these functions of the editor for the Internet, you do not need to be either a layout designer, or a designer, or a webmaster - no one at all. It is enough to be an active user social networks. How to make your face more beautiful, remove moles and freckles? How to process an old scanned photo so that the colors become brighter, and scratches, spots and dust particles are not so noticeable? How to carefully cut an object, move it or clone it? Where is the tool that literally in a couple of minutes will help rid the photo of the red-eye effect? Find answers to these and other questions in the article.

• 12 Image Correction Tools
  

  You already know so much that learning new tools is not a problem. All I had to do was make a review with a description of the possibilities that allow improving the quality of pictures - lighten where it is too dark, darken where it is overexposed, blur and sharpen, mix and smudge colors. Generally, Additional Information How else to make the image better is waiting for you in the lesson.

  The pinnacle of creativity for the web is the rendering of site templates. When most of the tools have been mastered, and the skills are enough to draw separators with shapes, and buttons for the menu, and logos, and beautiful inscriptions, nothing prevents you from creating a good, complex layout. The article tells what a standard template consists of, describes the principle of creation, and also teaches how to cut a layout using tools that were previously unfamiliar to you.

By paying attention to each of the lessons, reviewing practical examples and experimenting on your own, as you master the course, you will go from a beginner to an advanced user of Photoshop and will be able to delve into it yourself by moving to new level development, and a strong and reliable foundation laid by a series of our articles will help you in this.