How to begin learning Adobe Photoshop

Have you ever wanted to begin learning Adobe Photoshop? This basic tutorial will take you through the key tools you should know when learning Adobe Photoshop

Instructions

1. 

   Before you can begin learning Adobe Photoshop, you need to obtain the software somewhere. Many websites sell Adobe products including Photoshop/Illustrator/In-Design etc. but they will be quite expensive. If you are a student at a college or university, free software may be available through your IT department. If none of there are options, ask around, there are many people that already have the proper software that can give you a copy. Once you have properly installed any Adobe suite package, you are ready to begin learning Adobe Photoshop.

2. When you first open a new drawing in Adobe Photoshop, you will see a series of tabs running across the top of the screen as well as some boxes in the lower left hand corner. Knowing what tools are in each tab should be the first thing you begin to explore. Like most programs, Adobe Photoshop has the tabs at the top begin with the basic functions on the left and you get deeper into the program as you move down the line. You should take some time to familiarize yourself with each tab, especially the "edit" and "image" tabs. This will be a key to learning Adobe Photoshop quickly.

3. 

   The next important aspect to learning Adobe Photoshop is understanding "layers". The previous step mentioned boxes in the lower right corner of your screen. One of these boxes is called "layers". If you do not see the layers box, you can also access it through the top menus. If anyone wants to be successful using Adobe Photoshop, you must understand and use layers frequently. Using the layers is basically a way to help you keep your file organized. Each image or effect that you create on the page can be put on its on "layer" that you can modify and control individually.

4. Now that you know what a layer is, it is important to play around with the layers menu to see what exactly you can accomplish. You will be surprised in what you can learn. The last menu that you need to familiarize yourself with before diving into the program is the left toolbar.

5. Next on the list is the left toolbar in Adobe Photoshop. The left toolbar will be your most popular toolbar by far. On this icon you will find any kind of selection tool you need, painting tools, cropping tools, zoom tools, and many more. This should be the first place you look when you don't know how to do something in Adobe Photoshop. The left toolbar is the foundation for the entire program so it is essential that you are familiar with every tool there because it is a certainty that you will use it.

6. With that in mind, learning everything in Adobe Photoshop is quite an intimidating task but if you can understand the basic toolbars and actions in the program, you will catch on quickly. The best way to attack the program is to dive in head first. You will discover tools you don't even know exist as you make your way through the program. Just remember, be patient when learning Adobe Photoshop, the more time you put in, the more you will get back.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient

• Explore as much as you can

• USE LAYERS

• Know the left toolbar

• Don't be intimidated by all the menus

• Don't try to do too much the first time you open the program