Learn Photoshop: All of the Basics for Beginners
Published in Design, Photoshop TutorialsWe frequently publish posts on this blog that feature tutorials for learning how to do various things with Photoshop, but we have rarely focused on just the basics. This post is intended for designers or aspiring designers who either want to get started with Photoshop or have limited experience and are looking to improve.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
A Comprehensive Introduction to Photoshop Selection Techniques
Master Photoshop’s Selection Tools in Under 30 Minutes
How to Cut an Object in Photoshop Using the Polygonal Lasso 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.
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.
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:
81 Responses
This is an amazing collection of resources, I’m definitely bookmarking this, thank you so much! I need to learn from Layer Masks down.
Great Resources! Will defiantly send some of the designers we work with here to answer some of their questions.
These are great resources for beginners to be sure. I remember my first copy of Photoshop 4. I learned by way of the school of hard knox; I just opened up PS and screwed with everything until it made sense.
That’s an incredible list of resources! Don’t have time to look through ALL of them right now, but I am definitely staring this one in my reader. Great resource!
Also, thanks so much for including a few of the articles from the Echo Enduring Blog, and the stuff I’ve written over at MyInkBlog. Honoured to have those pieces included here!
perfect collection for the beginners, and refreshing for the masters
thanks a lot for your contribution. it’s very helpfully for beginners. U rock my Design world!
Great list
Nice collection, I’m trying to learn about layering. thanks
I`ve watched around 30 hours of Photoshop tutorials from Lynda. They are awesome, explain in detail
Thanks for all the great resources! Can’t believe it’s for free!
Thanks for this useful information. There are a lot of links in your article that I have studied. Yes, we have discovered the excellent strength.
great list… lot of good resources
Great tutorial! covers all photoshop tools.
Thank you so much for this elaborate post! This will definitely help improving my Photoshop work – merely efforts at the moment. Also the links to the other resources are very very useful.
great collection!
A most excellent list of resources. I have already XMarked this page. Thanks.
Wow! Great set of resources – now nicely stashed in my bookmarks. Thanks very much.
Beautiful!
Now for the Illustrator and InDesign version of this post! =) Pleeeeeze!? =)
Hoerr,
Thanks for the feedback. The Illustrator version is on the to-do list, InDesign is always a possibility for the future too.
Really handy reference for when people ask for help in using Photoshop! Now I can point my junior designers to this article and save some time. Very helpful as a refresher too!
Best tutorial ever.
Thank you so much
The best list ever about Photoshop. Bookmark!
Can’t wait to read some ultimate tutorial about Illustrator and Indesign too.
Nice post, this would be good in a PDF as a cheat sheet type thing!
Will look forward to seeing the illustrator version, have never quite got the hang of illustrator.
One word: AWESOME! I know my way around photoshop pretty well, but I know I’ve only scratched the surface. This is a great compilation of tutorials and tips.
A better title for this article would be “What it took me 3 years to learn, bundled into 1 article.”
Bookmarked this right away! What an amazing repository of info. Next time anyone asks me to train them on basics of photoshop all I’ve to do is to forward this link!
I’ve used photoshop and I would classify myself as an advanced user but after years and years of hard work. If I had my hands on this, I probably would have saved 2 years!
Keep posting great stuff like this
I was looking for this for a long time, never thought i will stumble across it here. Thanks for your effort
Very helpful – thanks. I have to use photoshop from time to time, and I find it extremely frustrating. I think if you’re used to a MAC then it may be easier!! I really need an itdiot’s guide, not because I’m an idiot, but becasue the product’s interface is so unintuative.
its amazing collection, they are great works
Wish I had this list when I first started. It could have kept me busy for weeks learning what took me years to learn!
I’m curious as to who uses which technique the most…
Great Resource and this is going to be very helpful for beginners. Please keep adding more for advanced users. I’d like to see some new tricks that I’m not aware of yet.
i have just collected these resources.
can u send some other difficult examples?
Very comprehensive for beginners and everything one needs to know when taking first steps with photoshop. Thanks for sharing.
one word: awesome!
Fantastic, Really very great post and impressive information regarding Photoshop. Good Job, I am sure this would be very useful for those students and people who are interested in Photoshopa and Graphics. Everything is well mentioned and explained by the images. I would like to know some more information regarding Photoshop and animation. Thanks for sharing.
Very useful selection for beginning designers and those who only has started to master Adobe Photoshop – now it is not necessary to search for lessons on different sites – all is in one place! Huge to you thanks!!!
Very good tutorials. I usually recommend this site to my new staff to start learning here
Very helpful.It is very difficult to get something for beginners in one site.Please keep me posted.
Thanks a lot for your contribution. it’s very helpfully for fresher in photoshop
This is a very helpful post for those who are beginning to use photoshop or need a quick refresher on some of the tools and features. Thanks for taking the time to put all these together!
Excellent tutorials, very handy having all these resources in one place… thanks!
I call this mastering Photoshop basics in just one single blog post. For the last several years I have been outsourcing all my graphic design and photo editing needs. After going through several of the tips mentioned on this page I decided that it might be a good idea to try learning something on my own. My wife will definitely like the idea, since she literally has thousands of pics that always need some kind of improvement. You know… go out, take pics, edit them, post them on Facebook and then waste another month rambling about them with friends… Anyways, this might be helpful for us, but I guess the learning curve is still huge after all..
Excellent lessons for beginners: everything is simple and clear. Thank you!
This is a pretty comprehensive overview of Photoshop tutorials, ive been going through the list one by one for ages, i need a new design for my site, this is helping a ton !
A big thanks to you because this is always an easy starter for a beginner in photoshop. Thanks!
Photoshop never seizes to amaze me. It’s incredible what you can do with that program.
Thanks. It’s been of great help.
That’s great sharing for beginners .. Basic but complete tutorials……. thank alot….
Very useful basics for me in learning PSD.
Thank alot for sharing
Jimmy
this so great i am a starter but from what i have seen here i dont think i will have much to worry about anymore. thanks
I need a new design for my site, this is helping a ton…
Thanks a lot ! This is an amazing collection of resource for starters to understand the concepts.. thanks a ton for putting this up!
Nice collection and resources for Photoshop beginners
Amazing collection of tutorials – thanks so much! I’ll be using this often.
Awesome! This is what I’ve been looking for. Thank you.
I think its interesting to see how others do the same things in completely different ways. I taught myself how to do most things in photoshop before college, and thus i was doing a lot of things the wrong, or long way
. I say, once you improve to the point where you cannot learn anything new, you’ve begun your journey to being obsolete.
Been using Photoshop for years and you can always go back and re-learn the basics. Fantastic.
yeahh, i can manipulate my photos
Very useful post. It is more than basics.
I’m planning to write an introductory photoshop module for my students, and your post’s really helpful. thanks!
No doubt a great tutorial for all photoshop beginners. Thank you for sharing!
I am just a beginner and this tutorial has really helped me a lot. Thanks a lot.
I had to get a new flyer designed for my public speaking and personality development course and I used Photoshop to make it. I took help from this tutorial and it has turned out really nice.