How to Use Photoshop - Beginner's Tutorial - 2024 Update

Let me show you a simple way to get started with Photoshop and use it effectively. Whether you’re new to Photoshop or just need a refresher, this tutorial will guide you step by step.

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Opening an Image
When you first open Photoshop, you can start in two ways: by pressing “New File” to create a blank document or by pressing “Open” to open an existing image. I’m going to open an image I downloaded from Pexels.com, which offers free images. You can download any image from there to follow along.

Adjusting Brightness and Contrast
A common task in Photoshop is adjusting brightness and contrast. Go to “Image,” then “Adjustments,” and select “Brightness/Contrast.” Moving the brightness slider to the right makes the image brighter, while moving it to the left makes it darker. The contrast slider increases the difference between light and dark areas. You can also use the “Auto” option for automatic adjustments. Preview the changes to see the difference before and after, then click “OK” to apply them.

Working with Color Adjustments
For color adjustments, go to “Image,” then “Adjustments,” and choose options like “Hue/Saturation.” Increasing saturation makes colors more vibrant, while adjusting hue changes the overall color balance. “Vibrance” is another great option, especially for skin tones, as it enhances colors without making them look unnatural.

Zooming and Spot Healing Brush
To zoom in on your image, use the Zoom Tool or press “Z” on your keyboard. Click to zoom in or use the minus sign to zoom out. One useful tool is the Spot Healing Brush, which is great for retouching skin. Select it, adjust the brush size, and click on blemishes to remove them. This tool is powerful for simple photo retouching, but be careful not to overdo it, as it can make the image look unnatural.

Quick Selection Tool
To cut someone out of a background, use the Quick Selection Tool. Select the middle option and click “Select Subject” to automatically select the main subject. Right-click and choose “New Layer via Copy” to place the subject on a new layer with a transparent background. You can then move this subject onto a different project.

Creating a New Project
Let’s create a new project from scratch. Go to “File” and “New,” select a size, such as 1920 by 1080 for a YouTube thumbnail, and click “Create.” This opens a blank document. To change the background color, go to “Edit,” “Fill,” and choose your desired color from the color picker. Click “OK” to apply it.

Adding Text and Shapes
Create a new layer by clicking the plus sign at the bottom of the Layers panel. Select the Text Tool (shortcut “T”), choose a font and size, and type your text. Use the Move Tool to position it. To add shapes, select the Shape Tool and choose from options like rectangles or custom shapes. Each shape is added to a new layer, allowing you to adjust or delete them individually.

Exporting Your Project
When you’re ready to save and share your project, go to “File,” then “Export,” and choose “Export As.” Select a format like JPEG or PNG, adjust the quality settings, and click “Export.” Save it to your desired location.

That’s it for this introduction to Photoshop. For a deeper dive into mastering Photoshop, check out my course linked below.
https://www.udemy.com/course/photosho...