Photoshop Beginner Guides | What is Photoshop as a Beginner?
As a Photoshop Beginner Adobe Photoshop is a powerful software program designed for editing images and enhancing photos on both Windows and MacOS computers. It provides users with a wide range of tools to create, improve, and manipulate images, artwork, and illustrations. With Photoshop, you can easily change backgrounds, replicate real-life paintings, or craft imaginative views of the universe.
As the go-to choice for photo editing, image manipulation, and retouching, Adobe Photoshop supports various file formats for both images and videos. Its versatile tools allow users to edit individual images or work on large batches of photos efficiently.
There are multiple versions of Photoshop available, catering to different needs. These include Photoshop CC, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, and Photoshop Express—a streamlined version for iOS devices with limited features. Adobe Photoshop can be obtained through standalone subscriptions or as part of the comprehensive Creative Cloud subscription, which also includes Photoshop Lightroom among its offerings.
How is Photoshop Used?
Professionals use Photoshop to enhance digital images or edit scanned ones for both online and print purposes. The software allows for precise adjustments and manipulation to achieve the desired look. Additionally, Photoshop serves as a platform for creating website layouts, enabling designers to finalize designs before developers proceed to the coding phase.
What are Photoshop Elements?
Adobe Photoshop Elements is a user-friendly version of the renowned Photoshop software, tailored for consumers. While it retains many professional-grade features found in Adobe Photoshop CC, Photoshop Elements offers simpler options geared towards beginners and hobbyists, particularly those interested in digital photography.
Designed with entry-level users in mind, Photoshop Elements provides easy-to-use tools for tasks such as:
- Adjusting image colors to achieve desired tones and effects.
- Cropping images to focus on specific areas or improve composition.
- Fixing imperfections like dust on the lens or red eye in portraits.
- Drawing and annotating directly on images using a pen or pencil tool.
- Adding text overlays to images for captions or graphic elements.
- Removing unwanted elements from photos, such as people or objects.
- Organizing photo collections efficiently for quick access and management.
- Sharing images online or via email with built-in publishing features.
Built on the same powerful digital imaging technology as Photoshop CC, Photoshop Elements offers a simplified yet comprehensive suite of tools for amateur photographers and digital photography enthusiasts.
What is Photoshop Lightroom?
Photoshop Lightroom is a specialized tool within the Photoshop family, primarily aimed at photographers who deal with large volumes of images. It’s particularly useful for batch processing, allowing users to apply presets to multiple photos simultaneously, saving time and effort.
One of Lightroom’s key features is its non-destructive editing tools, which means that any adjustments made to images don’t alter the original files. This preserves the integrity of the original photos while still allowing for extensive editing.
Lightroom is also capable of handling RAW files, a preferred format for many photographers due to its uncompressed and unprocessed nature. Within Lightroom, users can adjust aspects like light balance and white exposure directly within RAW files, giving them precise control over image quality.
However, it’s important to note that Lightroom isn’t a replacement for Adobe Photoshop CC or Photoshop Elements. While it excels in certain areas like batch processing and RAW editing, it lacks many of the advanced features and functions found in Photoshop. Additionally, Lightroom sports a different interface tailored specifically to the needs of photographers, offering a streamlined workflow for organizing and editing images.
You Also Know:
How much does Photoshop cost for a Photoshop Beginner?
The cost of Adobe Photoshop varies depending on the specific product. Photoshop Elements, which comes with a perpetual license, is priced at ₹7,500.
For other Photoshop products, subscription options range from ₹750 per month to ₹4,500 per month, depending on factors such as the type and duration of the subscription. Lower-cost options typically include standalone Photoshop applications, while higher-cost options may bundle Photoshop with other Creative Cloud tools.
Discounted plans are also available for students, educators, and organizations purchasing licenses for groups of 10 or more employees, offering additional cost-saving opportunities.
How to learn Photoshop?
Learning Adobe Photoshop can be accomplished through various methods tailored to different learning preferences and schedules. Here are some popular options:
1. In-person Classes: Consider attending Photoshop classes held in physical locations. These classes often offer a blend of group learning activities and personalized instruction, providing a conducive environment for overcoming challenges and learning new features. For instance, the American Graphics Institute offers Photoshop classes in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.
2. Live Online Classes: If you have a busy schedule or cannot attend in-person classes, live online Photoshop classes with instructors can be a convenient alternative. These classes offer hands-on learning experiences and are particularly beneficial for beginners, helping them navigate through the vast array of features and tools in Adobe Photoshop.
3. Online Tutorials: Utilize online resources such as videos, digital texts, guided experiences, and FAQ pages to learn Photoshop at your own pace. Online tutorials are ideal for self-directed learners who enjoy overcoming challenges independently. They provide flexibility and cater to different learning styles, making them suitable for individuals who prefer hands-on learning.
4. Private Training: Organizations, groups, or individuals with specific learning needs can opt for private Photoshop training. This can be conducted on-site or off-site and can focus on mastering aspects of Photoshop based on individual requirements.
Choose the learning method that best suits your preferences, schedule, and learning style to become proficient in Adobe Photoshop. Whether through structured classes, online tutorials, or private training, mastering Photoshop opens a world of creative possibilities.
Photoshop Mac vs. Windows Differences
When it comes to Adobe Photoshop, the differences between using it on MacOS and Windows computers are minimal. The layout and functionality remain consistent across both platforms, with menus, options, panels, and tools located in the same positions.
In terms of functionality, Adobe Photoshop operates similarly on both Mac and Windows systems. Users can expect the same performance and capabilities regardless of the operating system they’re using.
Before using Adobe Photoshop on either MacOS or Windows, it’s essential to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. These requirements ensure optimal performance and compatibility with the software, regardless of the operating system.
Computer requirements for Photoshop Beginner (Windows):
To run Photoshop on a Windows computer, your system must meet the following minimum requirements:
– Processor: Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor, with a clock speed of 2 GHz or higher.
– Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10.
– RAM: At least 2 GB of RAM.
– Hard Disk Space: A minimum of 2.6 GB of available hard disk space for 32-bit installation, or 3.1 GB for 64-bit installation, plus additional space required for installation.
– Display: A monitor with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, capable of displaying 16-bit color, and with at least 512 MB of dedicated VRAM.
– Graphics: OpenGL 2.0-capable system.
– Internet Connection: An internet connection is required for software activation, subscription validation, and access to online services.
Ensure that your Windows computer meets these specifications to ensure the smooth operation of Adobe Photoshop.
Computer requirements for Photoshop Beginner (Mac):
To run Photoshop on a Mac OS computer, your system must meet these minimum requirements:
– Processor: A multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support.
– Operating System: MacOS version 10.13 (High Sierra), MacOS version 10.12 (Sierra), or Mac OS X version 10.11 (El Capitan).
– RAM: At least 2 GB of RAM.
– Hard Disk Space: A minimum of 4 GB of available hard disk space for installation, plus additional space required for installation.
– Display: A monitor with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, capable of displaying 16-bit color, and with at least 512 MB of dedicated VRAM.
– Graphics: OpenGL 2.0-capable system.
– Internet Connection: An internet connection is required for software activation, subscription validation, and access to online services.
Make sure your Mac meets these specifications to ensure optimal performance when running Adobe Photoshop.
Photoshop file formats
Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of file formats for saving or exporting images and graphics, each serving different purposes based on factors like image size, resolution, and intended use:
1. Photoshop Format (PSD): PSD files preserve all Photoshop elements, including effects, masks, and layers. They are ideal for retaining editing capabilities.
2. Large Document Format (PSB): PSB files support larger sizes, exceeding 2 GB, and can handle up to 300,000 pixels in any dimension, along with applied layers and filters.
3. Tagged-Image File Format (TIFF): TIFF files are flexible bitmap images compatible with various applications and platforms. They support CMYK, RGB, grayscale, and indexed color, with a maximum file size of 4 GB.
4. RAW: RAW files are flexible and suitable for transferring images between computers or applications. They support CMYK, RGB, and grayscale images but require flattening before saving.
5. Portable Document Format (PDF): PDF files accurately display fonts, page layouts, and vector/bitmap graphics, making them suitable for sharing and printing. They support up to 16 bits per channel images without quality loss.
6. Graphics Interchange Format (GIF): GIF files are commonly used for displaying indexed color graphics in HTML documents. They minimize file sizes but do not support alpha channels.
7. Portable Network Graphics (PNG): PNG files offer lossless compression and support transparency in both RGB and grayscale images. They are compatible with indexed color, grayscale, RGB, and bitmap mode images.
8. Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG): JPEG files are chosen for continuous-tone images in HTML documents. While they support various color modes, they compress file sizes by discarding selected data.
9. Cineon: Developed by Kodak, Cineon files are used for outputting back to film without losing image quality. They offer 10 bits per channel and are compatible with the Cineon Digital Film System.
Understanding these file formats allows users to choose the most suitable one for their specific needs, whether it’s retaining editing capabilities, ensuring compatibility, or minimizing file size for web use.
Conclusion
In summary, As a Photoshop beginner, Adobe Photoshop is a versatile and essential tool for creative professionals and enthusiasts alike. With its extensive features, seamless integration, and wide range of file formats, Photoshop empowers users to unleash their creativity and bring their ideas to life with precision and efficiency. Whether you’re editing photos, designing graphics, or creating digital art, Photoshop offers endless possibilities for expressing your creativity.
FAQ
1. Is Adobe Photoshop difficult to learn for Photoshop beginners?
While Adobe Photoshop offers a vast array of tools and features, it can be learned at various skill levels. For photoshop beginners, there are plenty of tutorials, online courses, and resources available to help get started. With practice and patience, users can gradually become proficient in using Photoshop for their desired tasks.
2. Can Photoshop be used on mobile devices?
Yes, Adobe offers Photoshop for mobile devices through apps like Photoshop Express and Adobe Photoshop for iPad. These mobile versions offer a subset of features compared to the desktop version but still provide powerful editing capabilities for users on the go.
3. What are some common uses of Photoshop in professional settings?
In professional settings, Photoshop is used for a wide range of tasks, including photo retouching and enhancement, graphic design for print and web, creating digital artwork, composing images, and even video editing. It’s a versatile tool used across industries such as advertising, publishing, photography, and digital media.
4. Are there alternatives to Adobe Photoshop?
Yes, there are several alternatives to Adobe Photoshop available in the market, including GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), Affinity Photo, Corel PaintShop Pro, and more. These alternatives offer similar functionalities to Photoshop and cater to different user preferences and budgets.
5. Can I use Photoshop without a subscription as a Photoshop beginner?
While Adobe offers subscription-based plans for accessing Photoshop through the Creative Cloud, they also offer a standalone version of Photoshop called Photoshop Elements, which can be purchased with a perpetual license. However, it has fewer features compared to the full version of Photoshop available through subscription.