The vast number of panels, icons, and tools on the screen may make a beginner to Adobe Photoshop feel a little overwhelmed. You have a lot of options because Adobe produces some of the most reliable and complex products available. Yet, it also produces a high learning curve with a ton to study and practice. To help you get the most out of your experience, here are six Photoshop tips and techniques.

1. Learn keyboard shortcuts

Skilled Photoshop users employ a variety of helpful keyboard shortcuts to swiftly and efficiently alter images. Learn shortcuts for the actions you’re more likely to execute regularly rather than navigating dropdown menus and submenus, which can feel more confusing when new Photoshop updates are released.

For many different Photoshop operations, Adobe provides a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts. As you study, think about printing it off or bookmarking the website.

2. Destructive editing should always be done on new layers.

You’ve already spent time doing non-destructive alterations if you’re used to working in Lightroom. Adjustment layers in Lightroom essentially don’t alter the images themselves. You can always go back to the original image without any consequences because the alterations are independent files that exist.

As long as your workspace and file are properly set up, Photoshop can also function in that manner. An image will show up as the Background layer when you open it. Make a copy of the image while maintaining its original format by selecting Layer > New > Layer from Background.

A duplicate of your background layer will show up above the Background layer. Now that you have the original version available to go back to when necessary, you can alter your background copy as much as you like.

3. Make sure to properly save your Photoshop files for later editing.

Even the most skilled retouchers occasionally flatten an image’s layers and save it in the incorrect format. When you want to make a small adjustment to your project but can only work with a flattened jpeg, it can be really aggravating.

Save a PSD file of your most challenging editing tasks to prevent future difficulties. You can always refer back to your layers separately in PSD files for additional photo editing and adjusting.

Make sure you have enough space on your hard disk because PSD files do take up more space than flattened JPG files. If you need extra storage, it’s simple to replace your internal hard drive and much simpler to add an external portable disk.

4. How and when to use layer masks.

One of the most effective Photoshop tools is the layer mask. With the use of masks, you can conceal any area of a layer and apply them to as many levels as necessary.

For instance, if you’re altering a portrait and want to make the eyes brighter, you may use a layer mask to pick out just those parts. You can use a second layer mask to lighten the shadows on the face if you want to. To darken the background or change the hair color, add more layer masks. There are no boundaries.

One of the most crucial Photoshop skills to practice is editing with masks because of its adaptability and ability to be undone. Your editing sessions will go more smoothly the sooner you get the hang of them.

5. Watch the instructional videos for Photoshop.

The simplest approach to learn new Photoshop skills is to watch lesson videos and follow along while you practice. Although Adobe keeps a sizable library of Photoshop tutorials online, you can also use Google to look for a specific topic to learn by searching for relevant video content.

6. Discover what works for you and establish a regular workflow.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that there are numerous techniques in Photoshop to accomplish the same goals. When altering a photo, there is no one right way to proceed. While you may learn various methods in video lessons to achieve the same result, the ideal method is the one you can repeat with ease.

Marina Atanasovikj