Things You'll Need:
- Photoshop software
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Step 1
Click on your Photoshop icon under programs to open the software. This is assuming you have Photoshop installed on your computer.
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Step 2
Open the digital image you wish to edit by clicking on "File" and then "Open," in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the screen. Locate the digital image saved on your computer and click on that file to open. You can also create a new file by clicking "New" instead of "Open". This will open a menu that will allow you to name your new file and set the parameters of the new digital file, such as height, width, resolution and color mode.
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Step 3
Adjust the contrast, brightness and color levels by clicking on "Image" and then "Adjustments", in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the screen. If you are unsure on what adjustments to make, click on "Auto Color," "Auto Contrast" or "Auto Level." Often clicking on those three, in that order, will provide desired results.
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Step 4
Undo a previous edit by clicking on "Edit" and then "Undo" in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the screen. If you made more than one edit you are unhappy with, go to the "History" palette located to the right of the screen. There you will see recent edits to your document, with the most recent being on the bottom. Click on an edit listed under "History" to undo any of the subsequent edits.
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Step 5
View the layer you are working on by going to the Layer palette, located to the lower right of the screen and clicking on the "Layer" tab. If there is an eye, the layer is visible. The layer that is being edited will be highlighted. To unlock the layer, double click the padlock in the layer. To add or delete a layer, click on the add or delete icons located at the lower right side of the Layer palette.
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Step 6
To return your workspace to default, click on "Windows," "Workspace" and then "Default Workspace" in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the screen. This is helpful if you have rearranged your workspace and find it difficult following instructions, as your window looks differently than what is being described.
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Step 7
Learn the editing tools by moving the cursor over the tool icons, located in the vertical toolbar to the left of the screen. Each tool name will be revealed when you move the cursor over each icon. Get instructions for using each tool by looking up the tool's name by clicking on "Help" and then "Photoshop Help." A window will open. Type in the tool's name in the search bar located at the upper right of the new window.
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Step 8
Save your file by clicking on "File" and then "Save". To save as a new file, thus preserving your original file, click on "Save As" instead of "Save" and give the file a new file name. When saving, you have the option of choosing various file types by clicking on the drop-down menu that appears during the "Save As" command.
