Learn Photoshop: All of the Basics for Beginners
While there are plenty of great learning resources available online, it’s often difficult for beginners to know where to get started because everything seems to be scattered. With this post you’ll find links to plenty of resources to teach you all the basics and fundamentals of Photoshop.
Most of the resources and tutorials listed in this post will focus on teaching one particular aspect of Photoshop, such as how to use a specific tool. Everything is broken down into sections so you can find exactly what you are looking for.
Intro to Photoshop’s Tools and UI:
The resources in this section will serve as an introduction for those who are new to Photoshop. They will help you to learn your way around the interface and with some of the basics of Photoshop.Getting Started with Photoshop
Getting Started in Photoshop
Photoshop’s Toolbox
Using Palettes in Photoshop
More resources for learning the tools and UI:
- 13 Key Elements to Mastering Photoshop – Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
- 5 Common Photoshop Myths Solved for Absolute Beginners
- Photoshop Interface Tutorial
- Tip: Use the Grid in Photoshop
- Zooming and Panning in Photoshop
- 5 Highly Applicable Yet Easily Overlooked Features in Photoshop
- Photoshop Toolbox Reference
Layers, Layer Styles, Layer Masks and Adjustment Layers:
In order to be able to efficiently and effectively work with Photoshop you will need a solid understanding of layers. The resources in this section provide guides for working with layers in Photoshop, as well as layer styles, layer masks and adjustment layers.Working with Layers in Photoshop
Photoshop Layers Essential Power Shortcuts
Layer Styles in Photoshop
Saving, Loading and Reusing Layer Styles in Photoshop
Understanding Layer Masks in Photoshop
Getting to Know Clipping Masks and Layer Masks in Photoshop
A Basic Guide to Photoshop CS4 Adjustment Layers
Photoshop 101: Adjustment Layers
More resources for working with layers:
- Photoshop Layers Tutorial: Life without Layers
- Layer Style and Layer Mask Interaction
- Install Layer Styles in Photoshop
- Using Layer Comps for Design in Photoshop
- Photoshop Adjustment Layer and Retouching Tutorial
The Pen Tool:
Photoshop’s pen tool can be used for impressive results, but it can be very difficult to use if you don’t understand how it works. The following resources will provide helpful guides to explain the pen tool and how you can use it in your own work.Photoshop’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide
Photoshop Pen Tool Guide
Making Selections with the Pen Tool
Become a Master of the Pen Tool in Under 30 Minutes
More resources for the pen tool:
Brushes and Other Presets:
Brushes, patterns, shapes, and the other presets are an essential part of Photoshop. Whether you are using the presets that come with the software, downloading those created by other designers, or creating your own, learning the potential of these presets and how to work with them should be a priority.Beginner’s Guide to Photoshop Brushes
Photoshop’s Brush Tool – Basic Guide
Installing and Managing Brushes and Other Presets
How to Create Your Own Photoshop Brushes
Guide to Patterns in Photoshop
More resources for brushes and presets:
- Mastering the Preset Manager
- Quick Tip: How to Load Photoshop Brushes
- How to Use Patterns
- Installing Photoshop Patterns Tutorial
- Creating Custom Patterns
- The Hidden Power of Photoshop Brush Tool
- Installing Custom Shapes and Brushes in Photoshop
- Mastering Custom Brushes
- Create Your Own Custom Brushes
- Photoshop Tip: Rotate Brush Between Use
- How to Distress Text in Seconds with Photoshop Brushes
- How to Sync Photoshop Presets on Multiple Computers
Type Tool:
The type tool is a little more straightforward than some of the others for beginners, but it still helps to have a firm grasp of how the tool works and what you can do with text in Photoshop.A Comprehensive Introduction to the Type Tool
Tip: How to Change Text Orientation
Photoshop 101: The Type Tool
Transform:
With Photoshop’s transform capabilities you can edit and manipulate objects in a variety of different ways. The links provided below with get you started.Using Transform in Photoshop
Photoshop 101: How to Use the Free Transform Tool
Photoshop Free Transform Tutorial
Selections:
The are several different ways to make selections in Photoshop, and each technique has certain situations where it works better than others. Here you’ll learn about the basic selection tools and when to use them.The Selection Tools
A Comprehensive Introduction to Photoshop Selection Techniques
Master Photoshop’s Selection Tools in Under 30 Minutes
The Magnetic Lasso Tool
The Polygonal Lasso Tool
The Lasso Tool
How to Cut an Object in Photoshop Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool
The Elliptical Marquee Tool
The Rectangular Marquee Tool
Five Secrets of the Marquee Tools in Photoshop
More resources for selections:
Clone Stamp Tool:
The clone stamp tool allows you to duplicate, or clone, an area. The resources below will explain how to tool works and how you can use it.How to Manipulate Images with the Photoshop Clone Stamp Tool
Useful Applications for the Clone Stamp Tool
Blend Modes:
Photoshop’s various blend modes give users a lot of potential to create different results quickly and easily. The links in this section will explain how you can play with the blend modes of your layers and what types of changes it will have.An Explanation of Photoshop Blend Modes
Photoshop’s Five Essential Blend Modes for Photo Editing
More resources for blend modes:
- Using Blends to Create Depth
- Layer Blending Modes in Photoshop and Elements
- Working with Photoshop Blending Modes & Opacity
Filters
Photoshop has a number of different filters that you can use, and each has its own purpose and use. These links will explain some of the different filters, how they work, and when you should use them.Photoshop’s Filters
Getting to Grips with the Vanishing Point Filter
10 Photoshop Filters You Should Definitely Know
Channels:
Earlier we provided some links to tutorials on selection methods. Channels can also be used to select and extract, as well as to edit photos in other ways.Digging into Channels as an Extraction Tool
Photoshop 101: Working with Alpha Channels
Smart Objects:
Photoshop smart objects can help you to save time on repetitive tasks, and these links will show you how to use them.Genius Ways to Use Photoshop Smart Objects
Photoshop Smart Objects, Smart but not Always that Smart
Actions:
Photoshop actions are a great way to automate certain processes and save time. You can create your own actions or use those created by others.Lights! Camera! Photoshop Actions!
How to Use Adobe Photoshop Actions
More resources for Photoshop actions:
- Creating a Photoshop Action
- Automating Actions to Save Time
- Automatically Define Photoshop Brushes by Using Actions
Efficiency and Performance:
If you use Photoshop a lot you will want to make the most of your time with it. The resources here will help you to work smarter with as little wasted time as possible.Professional Tips for Improving Photoshop’s Performance
20 Photoshop Tips for a Faster Workflow
Create Your Own Custom Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
Batch Editing and Automated Processing in Photoshop
More resources for efficiency and performance:
- How to Effectively Use Contrast, Auto Levels, and Batch Processing
- Free Yourself with Automated Batch
- Photographers, Let Photoshop Do the Work
- Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
- 18 Exceptional Photoshop Shortcuts
- 28 More Exceptionally Useful Photoshop Shortcuts
- Photoshop Secret Shortcuts
Saving Images:
These links will show you how you can save and optimize images that are going to be used on websites, for maximum performance.Saving Images for the Web
Save for Web, Simply
Optimizing Images for the Web with Photoshop
Working with Colors in Photoshop:
Colors are, of course, an essential part of any design. These resources will explain the basics of working with color in Photoshop.Photoshop Color: Custom Photoshop Color Swatches and Sets
Photoshop Color Replacement Tool
More resources for working with color:
Design for Print:
Designing for print is different than designing for the web. These links will explain some of the intricacies of designing for print and how it should be handled.Spot UVs, Proofs, Roll Folds and Other Printing Terminology Explained
Designing for Print – Setting Up Crops and Bleeds
More resources for designing for print:
- Quick Tips to Help You Design for Print in Photoshop
- RGB to CMYK Conversion
- How to Convert RGB to CMYK in Photoshop
Working with Graphics Tablets:
Although it is not necessary, you may choose to work with a graphics tablet. These links will explain how to do so and how to decide on the tablet that is right for you.Using Pen Tablets in Photoshop
How to Choose a Graphics Tablet that Fits Your Needs
Now that you’ve learned the basics of Photoshop, here are some tutorial collections that you may want to check out:
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