Photoshop Classes Phoenix, AZ

Photoshop is an Adobe application that is used for editing raster images. With a wide variety of tools that are suitable for both beginners and experts, it is one of the world’s most popular photo editing programs and is often referred to as the industry-standard when it comes to photo editing. Photoshop was developed in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll. In 1988 it was sold to Adobe, and in 1990 it was first released to the public. Since then, it has continued to evolve as technology has changed, and has many more tools and features than it did in 1990.

What Can You Do with Photoshop Training?

Photoshop is a versatile application, and you can do a lot with it. If you work with photos, you can use it to make a wide range of different corrections including retouching, correcting color, and editing backgrounds. You can also use Photoshop to edit illustrations, logos, and many other types of images, and you can even use it to combine multiple types of images. Photoshop also allows you to create digital designs using its painting and drawing tools. When you use Photoshop, you’ll have a wide range of different tools that will give you many different creative possibilities and will make the design and editing process quicker and easier.

What Will I Learn in a Photoshop Class?

What you’ll learn in a Photoshop class varies depending on the class you enroll in. For instance, some classes only cover beginner and intermediate concepts, while others include advanced skills. Despite this though, there are several fundamental skills that you’re likely to learn in any Photoshop class including design principles, working in layers, using selections, adding and manipulating text, and working with the Brush tool.

Design

When you create and edit images in Photoshop, you’ll be able to make many different design choices. These choices are important because they will help determine how your finished product affects your audience. When you take a Photoshop class, you’ll learn about design so you can make intentional and effective choices.

Working in Layers

One unique feature of Photoshop is that you can work on designs in layers, which is like having your design on multiple pieces of glass, stacked on top of one another. Each layer can be edited individually, so you can edit elements in one layer without affecting another layer. This means you can edit parts of your image without affecting the entire design.

Using Selections

When you learn how to work with Photoshop, you’ll also learn how to use selections. To make a selection, you use the selection tool or command to define a part of an image. You can edit a selection without affecting the rest of the image.

Adding and Manipulating Text

Many Photoshop projects include text. In a Photoshop class, you’ll learn how to add text to your design, and how to edit it in a variety of different ways.

Using the Brush Tool

Photoshop includes the Brush tool, which you can use to create your own unique digital art. Most Photoshop classes will cover this tool. You’ll learn things like how to adjust the size and color of the tool, and other ways to customize your art.

How Hard is It to Learn Photoshop?

One appealing aspect of Photoshop is its numerous beginner-friendly tools, but it also offers advanced features that provide experts with more control over their work. It is relatively easy to learn some of the most basic tools and start using this application for simple editing. However, if you want to master all of Photoshop’s features, the learning process will be more difficult, since there are a lot of complex features to learn. If you're already familiar with another Adobe application, learning Photoshop may be easier. Enrolling in a paid class can also be helpful, since you’ll have access to an expert who can answer your questions and give you feedback.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Photoshop?

There are many different factors that will affect your Photoshop learning process including whether you’re already fluent in any other Adobe applications, how much design and digital editing knowledge you have, and how much time you spend practicing. Most people can learn basic Photoshop skills within a few days, and can be using the application fairly comfortably within a matter of months. However, mastering Photoshop at a professional level will likely take longer, since this app has many different advanced tools.

Should I Learn Photoshop in Person or Online?

If you want to learn Photoshop, you can do so either in-person or online. Each format offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage to in-person learning is that you get to interact face-to-face with your instructor and other students. This allows you to ask questions whenever you need to, and get immediate feedback on your progress. It also gives you access to potential networking opportunities with other students. A downside to in-person learning is that you have to commute to class, which can add time and expense to your learning. You’ll also be limited to classes in your geographic area. Live online learning eliminates the commute and offers more class options. You attend a live online class by logging into the classroom via computer, and just like with in-person learning, you interact with your instructor and other students in real-time. Disadvantages of live online learning include the need to supply your own equipment and software, and having to solve technical problems independently. A third learning option is an on-demand class, where material is pre-recorded, and you work through it at your own pace. This is the most flexible option, but many students find it requires more focus and motivation since learning is self-directed.

Can I Learn Photoshop Free Online?

There are many different free online Photoshop resources, and if you’re looking for some general Photoshop information or if you want to learn a specific skill, these resources can be valuable. Adobe has numerous free Photoshop tutorials on its website. Noble Desktop also has free Photoshop resources, including a free introductory seminar. If you want to learn more than a few skills, though, you’ll probably need to enroll in a paid Photoshop class. Paid classes are more comprehensive and are led by experienced instructors who can guide you and provide feedback and answers to your questions. Another benefit of a paid class is that you’ll know that you’re getting accurate and up-to-date information.

What Should I Learn Alongside Photoshop?

If you’re learning Photoshop, it can also be beneficial to learn Illustrator, which is another Adobe design application. Photoshop is used for working with raster images—which are images that are made of Pixels—while Illustrator is for vector graphics. Like Photoshop, it has become an industry-standard design application. It integrates easily with Photoshop, so you can use the two applications in combination.

Another skill that complements Photoshop is video editing. Video content has become more and more popular in digital media, so if you’re working in design, video editing can be beneficial. Adobe has a video editing program; Premiere Pro. This is a popular choice for people who work with Photoshop since it integrates easily, however, there are also many other video editing apps including Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer.

Industries That Use Photoshop

Photoshop is widely used in many design industries. As its name suggests, it is commonly used in photography, for editing photos. It is also popular for creating and manipulating images that are used in graphic design, digital design, and marketing. This includes web design, where it is used to create digital images for websites. Phoenix has a thriving tech economy with many businesses that require digital and web design. On its website, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council says, “As one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the country, Greater Phoenix is an emerging hub of innovative activity with a robust ecosystem of technology and software companies.” It reports that Phoenix has competitive operating costs and a lower cost of living than many other areas, and this has helped draw several major tech companies to the area.

Photoshop Job Titles and Salaries

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visuals that communicate different types of ideas. They often use Photoshop. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), a federal agency that gathers and analyzes job statistics, says, “Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some designers create the graphics used on product packaging, and others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets.” The agency predicts a 3 percent increase in graphic design jobs between 2022 and 2032, which is about average. The average salary for a Graphic Designer is $56,000 to $59,000 yearly.

Photographer

Photographers take photos, but they typically need to edit them too and they often use Photoshop for the editing process. The BLS also predicts average job growth for this profession over the next ten years; about 4 percent. It says that there are many different specializations within photography such as aerial photography, drone fine art photography, fine art photography, news photography, portrait photography, and scientific photography. The median pay for a Photographer is about $40,000 yearly, according to the BLS.

Digital Designer

Digital Designers frequently use Photoshop to design digital content for apps, websites, and other digital media. The BLS groups Digital Designers and Web Developers together, and it reports that between 2023 and 2032, there is likely to be 16 percent job growth in this category, which is much faster than average. A Digital Designer earns $81,000 to $94,000 per year on average.

Web Designer

Web Designers design websites. They may use Photoshop to help them create the visual elements that are used on those sites. The BLS includes Web Designers in the category of Web Developers and Digital Designers, within which it predicts 16 percent job growth over the next decade. It anticipates about 19,000 job openings in this category each year. The average salary for a Web Designer is $53,000 to $63,000 annually.

Photoshop Classes Near Me

If you’re based in Phoenix, you’ll find several different Photoshop training options including both in-person and live online classes. Lumenbrite Digital Design Training is a digital design school that has a training center in Phoenix. It offers both beginner and advanced Photoshop classes. Photoshop Training: Bootcamp is a multi-day class that is a combination of the school’s two essential Photoshop skills classes, and is designed to take students to an intermediate level of mastery. Covered skills include retouching, repairing, color management, working with layers, masks, typography, and advanced image manipulation. In addition, students learn to work with Camera Raw and learn about Photoshop’s animation and video features.

Mesa Community College also runs a Photoshop class. Introduction to Adobe Photoshop is a beginner-level class. This is a three-credit course, with no prerequisites. It is focused on digital imaging knowledge and skills using Photoshop. Mesa Community College is the biggest of ten community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District.

Noble Desktop also runs Photoshop classes. Founded in 1990, this coding and design school is based in New York City, but also offers its classes in a live online format. The Photoshop Bootcamp is a multi-day class that covers basic and intermediate Photoshop skills. In this course, you’ll learn how to edit your photos and create graphics. You’ll learn to adjust color and contrast, remove unwanted elements, and make selections to work with specific parts of an image. You’ll also learn about masks, layers, filters, and type, and you’ll earn a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

If you want to learn more advanced Photoshop skills, Noble Desktop also offers a Photoshop Masterclass. In this class, you’ll learn Photoshop basics like working with filters, using selection tools, and layers. In addition, you’ll learn about color correction, masking, and creating composites. This class also covers advanced skills including blending modes, generative AI features, and the Pen tool.

Another popular Noble option is the Photoshop Certification Program. This course is designed for students who want to become a certified Adobe Photoshop expert. It includes two Photoshop classes, where instructors cover basic through advanced skills. You also receive six hours of private tutoring where you can get extra help with challenging concepts and make sure you’re prepared for the exam. Finally, you’ll take the Adobe Certified Professional exam for Photoshop. The exam fee and a free retake are included in your tuition.

Ledet Training is an Adobe Authorized Training Center, and it also runs Photoshop classes. Adobe Photoshop 101 covers Photoshop fundamentals. Students learn about the Photoshop interface and how to set up a professional image editing system. They also learn repair and publishing, photo retouching, layers, working with masks, channels, and typography. Ledet also offers an advanced Photoshop class, and a class designed specifically for photographers.

If you’re interested in a live online Photoshop class, you can also try the Manhattan Edit Workshop. It offers a class called Adobe Photoshop Level I, which is designed for Producers, Editors, Assistant Editors, and Motion Graphic Artists. This class covers layer basics, photo corrections, working with selections, and quick fixes. Instructors also cover typographic design and vector drawing techniques, and how to save files correctly. This school also offers a Photoshop Level II class, which covers more advanced techniques.

Another live online option is Los Angeles-based headTrix. This school offers a short class called Photoshop in a Day. Students learn many fundamental Photoshop skills including creating a new file, working with layers, cropping and resizing photos, adding text to images, and manipulating images. They also learn how to use filters, create effects with layer styles, and optimize images for the web. The class is taught by an Adobe Certified Instructor.

Computer Training Source, Inc. also offers live online Photoshop classes. Photoshop Part I is a short class that is designed for beginners. Students learn to customize and organize their workspace, how to work with basic images, and how to work with layers and selections. After that, they learn to adjust and refine images and how to manage their Photoshop files. In addition, they learn how to use Adobe Bridge.

Photoshop Corporate Training

If you’d like to train a group of employees in Photoshop, you’ll find several training options through Noble Desktop, which offers onsite and virtual Photoshop training classes. You can schedule onsite training at your office, or Noble instructors can conduct virtual training through a platform like Zoom. Content can be customized to meet your specific needs, and employees will receive handouts, access to videos, and other post-training support. Noble offers a variety of flexible scheduling options. Alternatively, you could purchase vouchers for Noble’s regular group classes and let your employees enroll in classes individually. There is a discount with bulk voucher purchases. Contact Noble Desktop to get more information about corporate Photoshop training.