Essential Photoshop Tools You Should Learn

Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular photo editing software programs available today. It is used by professional photographers and Graphic Designers to edit photos and create digital artwork. Photoshop has a wide range of capabilities, from basic photo editing to more advanced features like creating animated GIFs and designing for social media. 

However, many users are unaware of the full extent of Photoshop’s capabilities. This article will discuss some essential Photoshop tools that you should learn to get the most out of the software.

Top Photoshop Functions

Photo Editing

One of the most basic things you can do with Photoshop is editing your photos. This can include simple tasks like cropping and resizing or more advanced edits like removing blemishes or changing the color balance. If you’re a photographer or any other type of creative Designer, learning how to edit your photos in Photoshop is essential.

Photoshop for Animation

While animation is a complex topic, Photoshop can be used to create basic animations. This can be anything from creating an animated GIF to adding subtle movement to a still image. If you’re interested in learning more about animation, Photoshop is a great place to start.

Photoshop for Basic Video Editing 

In addition to photos and animation, Photoshop can also be used for basic video editing. This includes tasks like splicing together video clips or adding text overlays. There are other software options better suited for more complex video editing, but Photoshop can be a good place to start if you’re new to the world of video editing.

Essential Photoshop Tools You Should Learn

Retouching 

Retouching is the process of making small changes to an image to improve its overall appearance. This can include anything from removing blemishes to whitening teeth. Learning to retouch your photos in Photoshop is essential if you want to perfect your photos.

Color Adjustments 

Another common task you can do in Photoshop is adjusting the colors in an image. This includes changing the overall color balance or selectively adjusting the colors of specific elements in an image. If you’re not happy with how the colors look in your photos, the software allows you to make changes until you’re satisfied with the results.

Zoom and Navigation

An essential tool when learning Photoshop is understanding how to zoom and navigate around your image. Zooming in allows you to see the details of your image, while navigating allows you to move around the document. These skills are essential for making precise edits to your photos.

Keyboard command for zoom in and zoom out:

Mac: command, plus (+) or minus (-)

Windows: control, plus (+) or minus (-)

Keyboard command for fit on screen:

Mac: command, zero

Windows: control, zero

Retouching and Layers

Layers are one of the most essential concepts in Photoshop. They allow you to make separate changes to different parts of an image without affecting the rest of the document. For example, you can put a new background on a separate layer from the foreground elements. This gives you more control over your design and allows for more complex edits.

Special Effects 

Photoshop also has a wide range of special effects that you can add to your photos. This includes everything from simple filters to more complex effects like light leaks and lens flares. If you want to get creative with your photos, learning to use special effects can help you take your work to the next level.