The Craft of Photoshop : Solid Foundations

Crop and rotate photos in Photoshop, align with the rule of thirds, and straighten horizons for balanced composition. Manage color spaces, including Pro Photo RGB and sRGB, to preserve colors.

Master cropping by deciding when to crop, removing distractions, and rearranging the remaining image to improve composition; keep the focal point, usually the eyes, near rule-of-thirds intersections.

Crop and rotate photos in Photoshop to center the action, align vertical and horizontal lines with the straight tool, and use the rule of thirds while removing distracting edges.

Learn to crop and rotate in Photoshop by rotating before cropping, avoiding delete cropped pixels, and aligning with the horizon and rule of thirds to preserve detail and scenery.

Explore cropping with various ratios and overlays, learn to align subjects using rule of thirds, golden ratio, and golden spiral, and understand how cropping affects the histogram for tone.

Master non-destructive image editing in Photoshop by using exposure adjustment layers, a base layer, and groups to preserve original pixels while managing dark to light tones.

Use adjustment layers to control tone with levels, based on the histogram, adjusting black, white, and gamma to boost contrast while preserving detail.

Identify darkest and lightest points using threshold adjustment and the color sampler in Photoshop, refine with black/white point eyedroppers, and verify with the histogram for optimum contrast.

Practice adjusting photo tonality in Photoshop using levels and histogram. Duplicate and group layers to fine-tune highlights, midtones, and shadows for stronger contrast.

Learn to rescue detail by using shadows and highlights to separately control shadows, midtones, and highlights, leverage histogram guidance, and apply targeted radius and color adjustments.

Explore the updated Camera Raw interface in Photoshop, including new panel layouts, color mixer features, and responsive panel modes, and learn how raw development compares to Lightroom.

Explore using the Camera Raw filter for tonal control, cropping, and layer adjustments, then fine-tune exposure, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, texture, clarity, and dehaze.

Explore non-destructive image editing with smart objects in Photoshop, using Camera Raw filters and smart filters to adjust tone, texture, and blur while preserving original pixels.

Learn non-destructive workflow with smart objects: resize without losing resolution, apply smart filters, and keep effects editable, while avoiding direct pixel edits and baking effects by rasterizing.

Practice tone corrections in camera raw on a panda image by duplicating a layer, converting to a smart object, and adjusting exposure, texture, clarity, and dehaze with before/after comparisons.

Crop the image, duplicate the original, and convert to a smart object in a fix folder, then use the camera raw filter to refine tone, highlights, and texture.

Master tone control by using histograms and levels to establish a balanced range of shadows, midtones, and highlights; adjust gamma and avoid overdoing to preserve detail and avoid banding.

Learn to fix magenta skin with corrective color balance and explore creative color balance using shadows, midtones, and highlights via adjustment layers and the camera raw filter.

Explain how light from the real world enters a camera, is captured by a sensor, and stored as red, green, and blue values that form pixels.

See how direct and indirect light, from midday blue sky to tungsten indoor lighting, produce color casts; learn to adjust white balance with the Kelvin scale to render true colors.

Apply the photo filter adjustment layer to correct color balance and tone, using the color wheel, opposite colors, and levels to neutralize hues and improve skin tones.

Explore color balance using the adjustment layer to fine-tune highlights, midtones, and shadows with the color wheel, reducing color casts and shaping mood through red, cyan, yellow, and blue shifts.

Learn to achieve accurate white balance by using neutral gray cards or color checkers, and apply corrective or creative balance using filters, thresholds, and levels.

Explore how vibrance and saturation shape color balance; vibrance boosts muted tones without over-saturating, while saturation increases all colors evenly.

Adjust white balance and color balance with the camera raw filter, using blue-yellow and green-magenta sliders, plus temperature, vibrance, saturation, and split-toning to refine shadows and highlights.

Practice color balance by using a photo filter adjustment layer to warm a blue image, adjusting density and choosing among warming filters.

Crop and straighten the image, convert to a smart object, apply the Camera Raw filter, and adjust tone, color balance, highlights, shadows, and vignette.

Explore Photoshop's raw filter color grading, adjusting shadows, midtones, and highlights with color casts, saturation, luminosity, and balance for teal-orange, blue, and green looks.

Explore how curves in Photoshop enable non-destructive adjustment of tone and color balance via multi-point curves on an adjustment layer, with eyedropper sampling and anchor points.

Learn to fix brightness and color balance with a single curves adjustment layer, adjusting red, green, and blue channels using anchor points for precise tonal control.

Explore using curves with camera raw and smart objects to blend layers, then compare with texture, clarity, and dehaze sliders for precise tone and color control.

Use curves adjustments to balance tone, adjust red and green channels, and refine highlights, then merge layers into a smart object for non-destructive experimentation with the camera roll filter.

Explore digital noise and sharpening together, learn how noise reduction combats noise in shadow areas and color artifacts, and distinguish luminous vs color noise in low-light photos.

Master noise reduction and sharpening in Photoshop using the denoise filter, controlling luminous and color noise, preserving details, and managing JPEG artifacts with advanced channel options.

Explore sharpening in three stages—raw pre sharpening, creative sharpening, and output sharpening—and learn how increasing contrast along borders using the unsharp mask sharpens edges and details.

Sharpen a smart object with the sharpen mask filter, tuning amount, radius, and threshold, previewing results, and save as psd to preserve layers.

Master layer masks in Photoshop by using hue/saturation adjustments, painting with black, white, and 50 percent gray to conceal, reveal, or partially reveal, and refine edges with opacity.

Practice layer masks by keeping the pink foreground flower in color while the rest turns black and white using a black and white adjustment layer and spot coloring brush work.

Apply selective sharpening using a layer mask to keep foreground petals sharp while blurring the background; use a soft, black brush on the mask to refine the transition.

Sharpen your raw files using the camera raw filter, balancing noise reduction and sharpening with masking, texture, exposure, and color adjustments to produce editable results.

Master sharpening in Photoshop using the high pass filter, experiment with layer blend modes to enhance detail, and apply a group-level layer mask for selective sharpening across multiple layers.

Master non-destructive blemish removal in Photoshop using spot healing brush, healing brush, and content aware fill, sampling from the source area and all layers.

Learn to use the patch tool alongside the spot healing brush and healing brush to blend skin textures, colors, and wrinkles while preserving birthmarks and other permanent features.

Master the red eye tool to flood the area around the pupil, and use the content aware move tool to reposition the subject while refining selections and handling imperfect results.

Master the clone stamp and healing brush with layer masks to remove objects by sampling from multiple areas, adjusting brush hardness, and avoiding repetition for natural results.

Master the clone brush with layer masks to hide unwanted areas and reveal clean edges by painting with black or white, swapping colors with X.

Use the clone stamp tool to repair edges and the tennis net, adjust brush size and hardness, sample from multiple source areas, and duplicate layers to manage edits.

Explore how the liquify tool in Photoshop lets you adjust facial features using smart objects and face controls, creating both average and distinctive beauty while noting common pitfalls.

Learn Photoshop liquify basics with forward warp and brush adjustments to refine the jawline, hairline, nose, and mouth. Use masks and tools like reconstruct, smooth, and bloat/pucker for controlled edits.

Learn non-destructive portrait editing with the liquify tool: duplicate to a smart object, use forward warp to widen features, and fix background with layer masks and clone cover up.

Master blemish removal using liquify before frequency separation, learn healing tools, and explore dodge and burn techniques while maintaining proper workflow with layers and smart objects.

Learn frequency separation to retouch portraits by splitting image detail from color into texture and basic blur layers, then blend with masks and soft painting to smooth skin.

Learn to refine portraits with frequency separation and surface blur, balancing smooth skin with preserved pores, using a layer mask, dodge and burn, and selective adjustments for natural results.

Master the five foundational steps of photo editing through practical practice, including cropping, horizon alignment, aspect ratio, levels, and Camera Raw adjustments.

Apply a five-step workflow to enhance a raw lemurs photo without the camera raw filter, using crop, curves, color balance, and high-pass sharpening.

Learn blemish removal and distraction removal in Photoshop using the spot healing brush, layer masks, elliptical selections, feathering, curves, color balance, a high pass sharpen, and a subtle vignette.

Learn to salvage a difficult photo by correcting perspective, reducing noise, and balancing color with tools like perspective warp, liquify, levels, and camera raw filter.

Apply levels to balance dark and light, sample the opposite hue to balance color, and manage noise with smart objects and high-pass clarity, while using layer masks to preserve detail.

Develop a raw photo in Photoshop: rotate and crop, adjust highlights and shadows, refine color balance, clarity, and texture, and apply selective sharpening and noise reduction with masking.

Apply sharpening and noise reduction to Santorini, convert edits to a smart object for tweaks, and remove blemishes using clone stamp and healing tools with layer masks to prevent halos.

Master the five foundational steps for Photoshop editing, including cropping, exposure balance, and color corrections. Tame high ISO noise, pink color cast, and apply targeted sharpening with masking.

Master portrait retouching with spot removal, healing brush, and dodge and burn, then sharpen using a high pass layer and blend modes to enhance detail and texture.

Master the rectangular and elliptical marquee tools to create precise selections, combine them with add, subtract, and intersect modes, and link selections to adjustment layers.

Master precise selections in Photoshop using the rectangular marquee, polygonal and magnetic lasso tools, learn anchor-point drawing, add/subtract modes, and manage anti-aliasing and point density with frequency.

Master the magic wand and quick selection tools to create accurate selections, adjust tolerance and contiguous settings, refine with lasso and brush tweaks, and apply color changes via hue saturation.

Master selection fills and edge editing in Photoshop by using foreground/background color fills, delete and cut operations, anti-aliasing, feathering, borders, and contract and expand to create smooth, natural edges.

Learn to refine selections by editing layer masks with brush tools and hue/saturation adjustments to reduce halos when changing sky color, and convert selections to layer masks when needed.

Master quick mask mode to paint precise selections with hard or soft edges, toggle with q, adjust brush hardness, invert selections, and refine masks with layer masks.

Learn to turn the door green and the windows yellow in Photoshop, using hue/saturation layers, layer masks, and feathered selections with lasso and quick selection tools.

Master select and mask to separate a subject from the background, refine hair edges with the refined edge brush and smart radius, and explore overlay and black and white previews.

Refine edge with a brush on a small area to isolate the subject, then use decontaminate colors and output to a new layer with a mask.

Photoshop's June 2020 update delivers an improved select subject algorithm, offering a stronger auto selection via the quick selection tools and easier path to refine in Select and Mask.

Explore Photoshop 2021's select and mask improvements, featuring refind hair and color-aware refinements to extract hair against backgrounds; master edge adjustments and use of layer masks for quick background changes.

Learn to refine edges and replace backgrounds in photoshop using the select and mask workflow, including quick selection, refine edge brush, layer masks, color balance, and blur for realism.

Compare layer masks and selections in Photoshop: a layer mask preserves editability, while a selection hides the background; PNG supports transparency, JPEG does not.

Learn how clipping masks isolate a subject using transparent areas and clipping layers to apply selective brightness and color adjustments.

select the statue with polygon selection and convert it to a layer mask, duplicating the background first; feather the edge to one or two pixels.

Save selections as channels in Photoshop, load them later, and combine selections using add to, subtract from, and intersect. Apply layer masks for precise edits across sky, church, and walls.

Explore Photoshop selection tools such as select by subject, focus area, and color range, and learn to refine selections with masks, brushes, and hue saturation to isolate complex images.

Explore using the selective color adjustment layer to isolate pinks, greens, and blues, tune cyan, magenta, yellow, and black sliders, and compare relative and absolute adjustments for subtle color control.

Learn to control tonal adjustments with luminosity masks, using the channels panel to target shadows and highlights via grayscale layer masks and selections.

Practice luminosity masks to selectively blue the lightest snow areas, using red, green, and blue channels to reveal detail, then apply a hue-saturation adjustment with a colorized luminosity mask.

Explore how blending options between two layers work in the layers panel, using sliders and color overlay to reveal underlying layers gradually, with luminosity mask precision and layer masks flexibility.

Duplicate the background and use blending options to create shadows and highlights with a color overlay and gradual transitions via the underlying layer sliders.

Master the pen tool to trace hard-edged shapes like a dolphin using curves, anchor points, and direction points to create precise paths.

Learn to use the pen tool to trace a dolphin silhouette with anchor points and handles, add points, and refine curves with the direct selection tool for precision.

Learn to create and save multiple pen tool paths, convert them to selections or masks, and export transparent PNGs in the correct color space.

Master the pen tool variants in Photoshop, including curvature pencil and magnetic lasso, to place and edit anchor points and create curved or straight paths with the direct selection tool.

Photoshop's content aware tracing tool is a 2021 technology preview accessed via preferences, using an edge-detection slider to create vector outlines for edge-based selections.

Learn to create and customize Photoshop gradients with color stops, opacity, and sampling colors from the image. Apply them to sky and beach with masks, blend modes, noise for realism.

Use the Camera Raw filter to perform selective color adjustments, tweaking magenta, purple, red, greens, and blues with hue, saturation, and luminance, while noting edge softness and smart object masks.

Learn to use the Adobe Camera Raw filter to apply gradients and local adjustments with the gradient, radial, and brush tools to recover sky and foreground detail in raw images.

Practice editing a raw file in Camera Raw by cropping, adjusting exposure, dehaze, clarity, and texture, then apply graduated and radial filters and a vignette.

Practice a full workflow from Camera Raw to Photoshop, using ACR gradients for sunset warmth and applying global and local adjustments, color edits, noise reduction, and sharpening.

Learn to create ISO adaptive presets in Photoshop's ACR that automatically adjust noise reduction and masking based on the incoming ISO, enabling efficient cross-camera edits.

Master the basics of dodge and burn in Photoshop, from ancient tools to modern methods, and apply range, exposure, and protect tones for precise local contrast.

Explore non-destructive dodge and burn in Photoshop using a 50 percent gray layer with overlay, painting with black and white brushes, and refine with curves adjustment layers and layer masks.

Master dodge and burn in Photoshop using dual curves and layer masks to selectively reveal highlights and shadows on a soft focused portrait.

Explore layer blend modes in Photoshop, grouped into darken, lighten, contrast, inversion, and components, and learn how multiply, screen, and color dodge affect underlying layers without permanent changes.

Master layer blend modes, including contrast modes and the component group—hue, saturation, and luminosity—and overlay, soft light, and vivid light to lighten or darken beneath layers.

Explore uses of layer blend modes in Photoshop, including multiply, screen, overlay, soft light, hard light, luminosity, and color, with techniques like opacity control, grouping, and color painting for retouching.

Discover non-destructive filter techniques in Photoshop using smart objects and smart filters, layer masks, opacity and blend modes, plus the filter gallery and fade options.

Explore creating and editing shapes in Photoshop, from using the rectangle tool to build compound shapes with path operations, fills, strokes, and gradients, to converting live shapes into editable paths.

Learn the difference between shapes and bitmaps in Photoshop by comparing vector-based shapes with bitmap layers, and see how rasterizing affects quality, scaling, and flexibility for logos and gradients.

Explore the custom shapes workflow in Photoshop, converting live shapes to editable forms, drawing with the custom shape tool, and saving new shapes to a library for reuse.

Explore applying and blending layer effects on shape layers—color overlay, gradient overlay, stroke, bevel and emboss, and drop shadows, with color sampling from the image for a cohesive leash poster.

Explore how to use the Photoshop text tool, convert to lowercase, apply character and paragraph settings, and refine typography with tracking, kerning, and line spacing for professional design.

Explore the mid-2020 Photoshop update, including the enhanced match font feature and vertical text detection. Learn about missing Adobe fonts auto-adding, font families, and choosing free or paid fonts.

Explore how serif, sans serif, and decorative fonts affect legibility, and use open type glyphs, kerning, and layer effects to craft typography in Photoshop.

Design a fresh logo for a local music company and apply it to letterheads, music cards, and flyers, while setting up an A4, 300 dpi print workspace with art boards.

Place the Magic muse sketch as embedded or linked, convert text to shapes, and refine vector paths to create a characterful logo.

Learn to edit vector shapes and text in Photoshop, refining the logo 'M' with the direct selection tool, duplicating layers, and adjusting curves, anchor points, strokes, and fills.

Learn to refine shapes and text in Photoshop by duplicating groups, nudging lines with the move tool, adjusting line thickness, and making lines less opaque to balance with the logo.

Refine a logo by iterating shapes and text, distorting and aligning letters, adjusting line widths, and testing colors in rgb and cmyk to ensure print readiness and a transparent background.

Master artboards and placed linked in Photoshop by designing multiple A4 size boards, setting precise margins with guides, and updating logos across designs while tracking client iterations.

Learn to paint in Photoshop using the paintbrush tools, explore brushes that simulate pen, ink, watercolor and oils, and master pen pressure with a tablet for expressive strokes.

Master brush control in Photoshop by adjusting size and hardness on the fly, tuning opacity and flow, and using pressure, smoothing, and symmetry for smoother, more natural strokes.

Explore the Photoshop brush engine and brush settings panel, customize brushes—from basic round to third-party options—adjusting spacing, dynamics, color, texture, and dual brush for varied strokes.

Learn to define a custom brush head from any image, save brush presets, and shape brush tips using leaf imagery with transparent backgrounds, adjusting spacing, noise, and color dynamics.

Master a simple Photoshop workflow with the paintbrush tool for eye illustration, blocking color on separate layers, using the flood tool, and locking transparency to keep edges clean.

Learn how to turbocharge Photoshop workflows with custom actions, recording steps like curves, high pass, and color balance, then apply, pause for tweaks, and automate batch edits.

Create a Photoshop action to batch process multiple photos with the image processor, applying crop, camera raw adjustments, high-pass, and curves, then save as a PSP file for reuse.

Explore neural filters in Photoshop update 2021, including beta options, and see how cloud processing drives 3D-like portrait edits while you refine results with liquify, masks, and color adjustments.

Master seamless textures in Photoshop 2021 with pattern preview, offset workflows, and cloning techniques to create tileable surfaces and real-time preview across scales.

Master Photoshop 2021 sky replacement to swap skies using artificial intelligence, foreground adjustments, and curves and color balance layers. Use layer masks and edge adjustments to blend foreground.

Learn how to use cloud storage offline in Photoshop, create a merged layer, convert to a smart object, apply smart filters, and reset transforms with the 2021 update.

Resize image and resize canvas before exporting to preserve pixel integrity; adjust width and height in pixels with linked scaling and choose appropriate re sampling methods.

Export your Photoshop edits efficiently by choosing the right format and dimensions, preserve layers with a PSD, and tailor JPEG or PNG quality for web or print.

Master the new Photoshop 2024 remove background tool to quickly extract subjects, refine with layer masks, density, and feathering, and polish edges for clean composites.

Learn how Photoshop’s select subject and object selection tools use AI to identify real-world shapes, with edge detection and traditional tools guiding refinements when AI misses details.

Photoshop 2024 introduces the remove tool, using content-aware and sample all layers to remove objects. If results aren’t perfect, rely on traditional tools and layer masks to refine blends.

Use generative fill in Photoshop 2024 to create and refine imagery with a marquee and prompts like spear or flowers. Compare variations, apply layer masks, and navigate noise, transparency limits.

Master generative refill in photoshop to remove objects, extend scenes with generative expand, and balance resolution and noise using fixed 1024x1024 samples, layering, and cloning techniques.

Demonstrates Photoshop 2025's Firefly model 3 for removing wires and people with non-destructive editing, comparing auto artificial-intelligence removal to traditional clone and healing tools.

Use Photoshop’s move tool and a generative AI engine to remove elements, sampling all layers to keep originals intact, and refine flamingos and background foliage on a new layer.

Learn to match backgrounds in photoshop by sampling from all layers, removing distractions, and using generative fill and background extension to integrate the subject with a cohesive scene.

Match a generative background to a subject using hue/saturation, curves, and color balance, with layer masks and clipping to keep edits on the background and remove halos.

Explore third party photoshop plugins, including the nik collection, color effects pro 4, and silver effects pro 2, and learn to stack filters and use control points.

Demonstrates using the Nik Collection's Silver Efex Pro 2 to convert color photos to black and white, exploring presets, sliders, control points, film simulations, grain, and finishing touches.