Photoshop Tutorial for Beginners 2024 | Everything You NEED to KNOW!

Vince Opra
20 Feb 202321:38

TLDRIn this comprehensive tutorial, Vince introduces beginners to Adobe Photoshop, starting with creating a new document and importing images. He covers essential tools such as the Move, Selection, Lasso, Quick Selection, Crop, and Healing tools, demonstrating their use in editing and enhancing images. The video also explains the interface, including the Layers panel, and introduces advanced features like the Pen tool, Text tool, and blending modes. Vince discusses layer adjustments, layer masks, and exporting options, providing a solid foundation for new Photoshop users. He also teases an upcoming part two and an in-depth editing course for further learning.

Takeaways

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ First, create a new document by clicking 'New File' and setting the resolution to your desired dimensions, such as 1080x1350 pixels for a tool format Instagram picture.
  • πŸ“‚ Import images into Photoshop by dragging and dropping them into your document, then resize or reposition as needed.
  • πŸ”„ Use the 'Create' button to finalize the placement and sizing of your image, and the 'Edit' menu with 'Undo' or 'Redo' options to make adjustments.
  • πŸ› οΈ Familiarize yourself with the Photoshop interface, including the tools panel on the left, color selectors, adjustment options, and layers panel.
  • πŸ”„ Learn to use essential tools like the Move Tool (V), Selection Tool (M), Lasso Tool (L), and Quick Selection Tool for precise image editing.
  • πŸ—œοΈ Utilize the Crop Tool to trim your image and the Eyedropper Tool to sample and apply specific colors from your image.
  • πŸ–ŒοΈ Experiment with the Brush Tool for painting, the Clone Stamp Tool for duplicating or removing parts of an image, and the Eraser Tool for clean-ups.
  • 🎨 Understand how to create gradients with the Gradient Tool and make precise selections with the Pen Tool.
  • πŸ“ Add text to your image using the Text Tool and adjust its properties such as size, spacing, and color.
  • πŸ“ Use the Rectangle, Ellipse, and other shape tools to create geometric shapes, each of which automatically generates a new layer.
  • πŸ” Navigate your image with the Hand Tool and Zoom Tool, or use keyboard shortcuts for more precise control.
  • βš™οΈ Explore blending modes to create composite effects and use adjustment layers to apply effects non-destructively to specific layers.
  • πŸ’‘ Blending options such as Outer Glow and Drop Shadow can add depth and style to text and layers in your composition.
  • πŸ“ Save your work in the desired format (PNG for transparency or JPEG for smaller file sizes) using 'Save a Copy' and choose the quality settings before exporting.

Q & A

  • What is the first step in creating a new image in Adobe Photoshop?

    -The first step in creating a new image in Adobe Photoshop is to click on 'New File' located in the top left corner, where you can set the resolution and other settings for your new document.

  • How do you import an image into Photoshop?

    -To import an image into Photoshop, you simply drag and drop the image file into your document. Once it's there, you can resize it or adjust it as needed.

  • What is the purpose of the Move Tool in Photoshop?

    -The Move Tool, accessible by pressing 'V' on the keyboard, is used to move elements around on your picture and acts as your regular cursor, which is the tool you'll be using most of the time.

  • How do you create a selection around an object in an image?

    -You can create a selection around an object using the Selection Tool, also known as the Rectangular Marquee Tool, or the Lasso Tool, which allows for more freeform selections.

  • What is the function of the Clone Stamp Tool in Photoshop?

    -The Clone Stamp Tool is used for duplicating parts of an image by sampling a portion of the image and painting it onto another part. It's also great for fixing small imperfections.

  • How can you adjust the size and opacity of the brush in the Brush Tool?

    -You can adjust the size, hardness, opacity, and flow of the brush from the settings at the top of the screen when the Brush Tool is selected.

  • What is the use of the Text Tool in Photoshop?

    -The Text Tool allows you to add text to your image. You can adjust various settings such as size, spacing, color, and more from the properties panel.

  • How do layers affect the visibility of elements in an image?

    -Layers determine what is visible in the image based on their order. The layers on top obscure those below them. You can enable or disable layers using the eye icon next to each layer.

  • What is the benefit of using blending modes in Photoshop?

    -Blending modes allow you to create composites on your image by determining how different layers interact with each other, which can be used to create various effects such as lens flare or scratched photo effects.

  • How can you export your finished image from Photoshop?

    -To export your image, go to 'File' then 'Save a Copy', choose the location on your computer, select the desired format (like PNG for transparency or JPEG for smaller file sizes), adjust the quality, and click 'Save'.

  • What is the role of adjustment layers in Photoshop?

    -Adjustment layers allow you to apply non-destructive edits to your image. You can add effects like contrast, color balance, or gradients, and these adjustments only affect the layers they are clipped to.

  • How do you undo or redo changes made in Photoshop?

    -You can undo changes by pressing 'Command' or 'Control' + 'Z' on your keyboard. To redo, press 'Shift' + 'Command' or 'Control' + 'Z'.

Outlines

00:00

πŸš€ Introduction to Adobe Photoshop 2023

Vince introduces the viewers to Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing its value in the modern world. He guides beginners through the process of opening the software, creating a new document with specific dimensions, and importing an image. The summary includes instructions on resizing and positioning the image, as well as an overview of the Photoshop interface, highlighting tools, color selectors, adjustments, and the layers panel.

05:00

🎨 Essential Photoshop Tools for Editing

This section covers the essential tools in Photoshop for editing images. Vince explains the use of the Move Tool, Selection Tool, Lasso Tool, Quick Selection Tool, Crop Tool, Frame Tool, Eyedropper Tool, Spot Healing Brush Tool, and Brush Tool. He also touches on the Clone Stamp Tool and its utility in fixing imperfections or duplicating elements in an image.

10:02

πŸ› οΈ Additional Photoshop Tools and Features

The paragraph delves into more tools within Photoshop, including the Eraser Tool, Gradient Tool, Dodge and Burn Tools, Pen Tool, Text Tool, and the concept of layers and their ordering. Vince also discusses the Hand Tool and Zoom Tool for navigation and the customization of tools through the window menu for users who may require additional tools not visible in the interface.

15:04

🌌 Blending Modes and Layer Effects in Photoshop

Vince explores blending modes, which allow for different composite effects on images. He demonstrates how to use a lens flare and a scratch picture to add effects to an image and mentions the possibility of erasing unwanted parts of a layer converted into a smart object. The summary also includes information on blending options that can be accessed for individual layers to add effects like outer glow, drop shadow, and pattern overlays.

20:04

πŸ“š Adjustment Layers and Exporting Your Work

The final paragraph explains the use of adjustment layers to modify specific aspects of an image non-destructively. Vince shows how to add contrast to an image using Curves and create a clipping mask to ensure adjustments only affect the intended layer. The process of exporting a finished image is also detailed, covering saving a copy, choosing the file format (PNG for transparency or JPEG for smaller sizes), and setting the quality before exporting the final piece.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used digital image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It is primarily used for editing and manipulating raster images, and is a key tool for graphic designers, photographers, and digital artists. In the video, it is the main subject, with the tutorial providing an introduction to its use for beginners.

πŸ’‘New File

Creating a 'New File' in Photoshop is the first step to start a new project. It involves setting the resolution, dimensions, and other properties for the document. In the script, the instructor guides viewers on how to create a new file suitable for an Instagram post.

πŸ’‘Resolution

Resolution in digital images refers to the number of pixels in a given area, usually measured in pixels per inch (PPI). It determines the sharpness and detail of the image. The script mentions setting the resolution for a new document when creating digital content.

πŸ’‘Layers

Layers in Photoshop are a fundamental feature that allow users to work on different parts of an image separately. Each layer can be edited, hidden, or adjusted without affecting other layers. The video demonstrates how to use layers to manage and edit images.

πŸ’‘Selection Tools

Selection tools in Photoshop, such as the Marquee and Lasso tools, are used to select specific areas of an image for editing. The script explains how to use these tools to make precise selections and how to copy and paste selected areas.

πŸ’‘Move Tool

The Move Tool, accessible by pressing 'V' on the keyboard, is used to reposition elements within an image or across layers. It is highlighted in the video as one of the most frequently used tools for navigating and arranging items in a Photoshop document.

πŸ’‘Brush Tool

The Brush Tool in Photoshop is versatile and allows for painting and drawing on the image with customizable brush sizes, shapes, and opacity levels. The video shows how to use the brush for various effects and how to adjust its settings for different outcomes.

πŸ’‘Clone Stamp Tool

The Clone Stamp Tool is used for duplicating or removing parts of an image by sampling a source area and painting it onto a target area. In the script, the instructor demonstrates using this tool to remove unwanted elements like snowflakes from an image.

πŸ’‘Blending Modes

Blending modes in Photoshop determine how layers interact with each other and the layers below them. They can be used to create various effects, such as adding lens flares or scratches, by blending the layer in a specific way. The video provides an example of using blending modes to composite images.

πŸ’‘Adjustment Layers

Adjustment layers in Photoshop allow users to apply color and tonal adjustments to an image non-destructively. They can be targeted to specific layers using clipping masks. The script mentions using Curves to add contrast to an image in a controlled manner.

πŸ’‘Exporting

Exporting an image in Photoshop refers to saving the final edited image in a specific file format. The video script discusses saving the image in different formats like PNG for transparent backgrounds or JPEG for social media sharing, depending on the intended use.

Highlights

Photoshop is a valuable skill set in the digital age.

Beginner's guide to using Adobe Photoshop in 2023.

Creating your first image starts with setting up a new file.

Importing an image into Photoshop and resizing it to fit.

Understanding the Photoshop interface and its key tools.

Using the Move Tool (V) to navigate and adjust image elements.

Selection tools like the Marquee and Lasso for precise cutting.

Quick Selection Tool for easy masking and layering.

Cropping images to desired dimensions with the Crop Tool.

Using the Eyedropper Tool to sample and apply colors.

Spot Healing Brush Tool for fixing imperfections.

Brush Tool customization for painting effects.

Clone Stamp Tool for duplicating or removing parts of an image.

Eraser Tool for removing or modifying image sections.

Gradient Tool for creating color transitions.

Dodge and Burn Tools for adjusting light and dark areas.

Pen Tool for making precise selections and paths.

Text Tool for adding and stylizing text in images.

Layer management for controlling visibility and order.

Shape Tools for creating and styling geometric shapes.

Hand Tool for panning across the image.

Zoom Tool for adjusting the view of the image.

Blending Modes for creating composite effects.

Blending Options for adding effects to layers.

Adjustment Layers for non-destructive editing.

Exporting images with Save As and choosing the right format.