Enhance your Photoshop proficiency with courses covering editing, retouching, and composition. Programs focus on professional techniques used in digital media and design.
Learn how to retouch and color correct photos, combine images, and create graphics in Photoshop. This course covers the basic and intermediate features of Photoshop such as color/contrast, photo retouching, layers, masks, filters, and saving files for web/video/print.
Master Photoshop from the ground up and prepare for the Adobe Certified Professional exam with expert-led training, hands-on projects, and personalized tutoring. This comprehensive program is ideal for aspiring designers, photographers, and creative professionals looking to earn industry-recognized certification.
Begin your journey as a professional graphic designer by learning the essential skills and tools used by industry experts. Gain hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, and create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.
Learn the fundamentals of Photoshop in this accelerated class, where you will discover how to retouch photos, remove unwanted elements, and save files for print or web. This class is perfect for beginners who want to improve their photo editing skills in a short amount of time.
Take your Photoshop skills to the next in this advanced Photoshop course. Learn how to make better selections (including hair), retouch skin, adjust color, use channels, use the Pen tool and work with vectors, realistically combine photos, and much more.
Adobe Photoshop is a software application used to edit, create, and enhance images, artwork, and illustrations. It’s the industry standard for digital art and image manipulation, and is used by photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists. A part of the Adobe suite of products, Photoshop was first released in 1990. The demand for Photoshop rose as computers improved and digital photography technology advanced, and today it is considered the industry standard for photo editing software.
Photoshop is often used in tandem with other Adobe products, like Illustrator and InDesign. For instance, InDesign can be used to adjust layer visibility and edit objects and paths for a finalized file from Photoshop. Additionally, Photoshop files can incorporate assets made in Illustrator, integrating an image created as a vector file into a raster file. The opposite is true as well: a graphic design project in Illustrator can easily fit into a larger photo project in Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop is used widely by both professionals and hobbyists. Learning Photoshop can be beneficial for a variety of careers and fields, particularly creative ones like graphic design or photography. A user-friendly design and customizable interface mean that anyone is capable of learning it, too.
There are many things you can do with Photoshop, both professionally and personally. You can manipulate images and create layouts for print and digital media, create compelling visual ads, or enhance product images. Photoshop allows for complete customization down to the tiniest pixel, and designers can store templates for easy access. This means you can save a set of fonts, colors, and images unique to your brand so your creations are consistent and recognizable by your customers. Through Photoshop, you can create graphics that are visually appealing, informative, and effective in attracting attention.
Photoshop can also be leveraged to create wireframes and prototypes of digital interfaces, and to customize smaller interactive elements of a digital application, like buttons and icons. Photoshop allows even the more technically minded, like UI Designers or Web Developers, to flex their creative muscles and embrace their inner artist.
You can also use Photoshop to adjust color, contrast, and lighting, remove blemishes or other imperfections, or create composite images. Additionally, you can use the program to create and edit high-quality banners and backgrounds, website layout mockups, icons or logos, and optimize images for various web devices and screen sizes. Whether you choose to do so professionally or to curate your own sophisticated Instagram posts is entirely up to you.
For each section, include the name of the skill you’ll learn and then write a paragraph explaining what that skill is and why it applies to Photoshop. Most of the focus should be on technical skills you’ll learn (for subjects like animation, graphic design, or data science, these should be things like After Effects, Photoshop, SQL, etc.), but at least one skill mentioned should be a ‘soft skill’ (Photoshop teaches you visual composition).
Because Photoshop is designed primarily for professional use, navigating the interface may feel a bit intimidating for new users. Even if you have some experience with other image editing software, you’ll need to become familiar with the specific main elements of Photoshop. The main screen is known as the workspace and contains several menu bars, option bars, the toolbar, and secondary windows (palettes) with different functions and commands. The biggest part of the screen is where you will see the image you’re working on. Photoshop allows you to modify the workspace and save your customized configuration.
Adjustment layers are the cornerstone of non-destructive editing in Photoshop. With their help, you can apply color and tonal adjustments to images without permanently changing the original layer. You can adjust things like brightness and contrast, hue and saturation, and color balance.
In photography, “composition” refers to the way a photographer arranges elements within the frame of an image. Similarly, compositing in Photoshop is used to create layered image combinations. Composites can show anything from every step of a complex movement to a fantastical dreamscape. There are photo composition principles that you can follow to help balance visual elements within your composite.
Working with color involves two main things: hue and saturation, both of which are outlined below.
A part of adjustment layers, working with color is both a technical and creative skill. You’ll want to have a firm understanding of the color wheel and basic color theory, in addition to understanding how to technically work with color within Photoshop.
Curves and Levels are important tools for detailed color correction and exposure adjustments. Curves can help you pinpoint specific tonal areas and adjust them with precision, creating contrasts or lightening shadows. Levels can be used to set black, white, and mid-points, essentially altering the intensity of shadows, midtones, and highlights.
Photoshop can be difficult to learn at first because of its many features and tools, some of which are outlined in the next section. If you have experience with other photo editing software, you may find these challenges less difficult to tackle. The good news is that no matter your experience level, it is possible to become proficient in a relatively short amount of time with the right amount of dedication and passion.
Learning to navigate a new interface and understand what all the tools are and how best to use them can be challenging. Additionally, learning to use Photoshop’s Pen Tool can be tricky for beginners and requires extensive practice, but learning the different pen functions will make your editing process smoother.
Finally, working with layers in images can also be hard to get used to. In Photoshop, edits are completed in individual layers to keep the original image unchanged. While this type of editing makes it easier to make changes in the long run, it can be difficult to master at first.
On average, the typical beginner takes between two to three months to learn Photoshop. This level of knowledge will still be fairly introductory, so if you want to master more advanced techniques, you should expect to dedicate substantially more time to studying. But, if you’re simply looking to independently navigate the interface to complete edits and create graphics, a few weeks to months should be sufficient.
There are several factors to consider when answering this question. The first factor you’ll want to consider is what learning environment is best suited for you. Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where you can interact with your peers and receive in-the-moment feedback from your instructor? Or, do you prefer a more solitary learning environment, perhaps one where you can learn at your own speed?
You’ll also want to consider how much time you can commit to your education and what level of flexibility your schedule requires. Are you looking to immerse yourself in an intensive program? Do you work full-time and need your classes to be scheduled for evening and weekend hours?
In-person classes offer face-to-face interaction with both your fellow students and your expert instructor. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. Online courses may lack this in-person interaction, but they make up for it with increased flexibility. Live online classes still offer instant feedback from your instructor and interactions with other students, while on-demand virtual courses allow for the most flexibility since you can decide where and when you learn.
The good news is that, no matter which option you choose, you can obtain a quality education with a top-notch curriculum and expert instructors.
As previously mentioned, Photoshop is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud of products, so learning the other software programs within the suite would be extremely advantageous. Taking the time to learn programs that complement Photoshop, like Adobe XD, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects, is highly recommended. Your skills across all the Adobe software can build upon each other, helping you to create a vast array of digital and print products.
Additionally, Adobe offers products that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI): Sensei, Firefly, and Sensei GenAI, which could be a useful next step. Incorporating AI into workflows is the current new frontier, so being on top of integrating AI can help improve your Photoshop skills.
Thanks to its versatility, you’ll find Photoshop used in countless sectors in the vibrant DC area. A large number of residents are employed by the federal and state governments, but the region also attracts those looking for work in education, health care, tech, and a variety of other industries. The top ones are outlined below, and each has promising opportunities available for Photoshop professionals.
Washington, D.C. is the #3 tech city in America and ranks in the top 5 for startup success. It’s also the #1 city for women in tech and is home to one of the most diverse tech-related workforces in the nation. With tremendous assets and opportunities for startups looking to solve the world’s challenges in innovative ways, the tech industry is thriving and in need of top-quality AutoCAD experts.
The hospitality and tourism sector in D.C. includes roughly 130 hotels with 31,000+ rooms, 2,000+ restaurants, and 45 performing arts venues with more than 27,000 seats. It’s also home to the corporate headquarters for Marriott, Hilton, and Host Hotels, providing access to an influential customer base.
With approximately 180 resident embassies and respected global economic and policy organizations, Washington, D.C.’s international business industry is alive and well. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace consider Washington, DC, a center for critical international conversations about the world economy, global politics, the environment, and peace.
The university system in the D.C. region boasts more than 11 colleges and universities serving as major employers and innovation centers, generating over 30,000 jobs. Plus, the District has one of the most educated populations in the country, with nearly 50 percent of its residents obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. The economic impact of the universities in the area is close to $2 billion, and, as a sector, higher education is the largest employer and one of the largest sectors in terms of businesses and governments around the world.
Photoshop is used across many industries and is a useful tool for countless professions. Adobe Photoshop has an estimated 23 million users per month, and over 90% of creative professionals across the globe use Adobe Photoshop. And, with creative professionals existing in almost every industry, there are plenty of job opportunities available for experts in software. A few of the positions that most commonly use Photoshop are listed below so that you can start to get an idea of the types of roles you could pursue.
As a Graphic Designer, you would use graphics, text, colors, and animations to develop branding, advertising, and messaging. Graphic designers often use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator in their daily work, so it’s a good idea to become certified in these two tools. The average salary for a Graphic Designer in D.C. is around $66,000 for those relatively new to the field.
Perhaps the most obvious profession to require Photoshop skills, photographers rely on the software to help them produce final images that will wow their clientele. From family portraits to weddings to product shots for businesses, photographers can work in a variety of fields. (Some may even also do videography, which Adobe’s suite of products can help with, too.) Estimating the salary range for a photographer is a little tricky, as they tend to be self-employed, but hourly rates typically range from $45–$100, according to job postings on Indeed.com.
Another job title is Social Media Strategist, where you would spend your days designing social media blueprints, creating content, and managing client or company accounts. As a Social Media Strategist, you would be responsible for sourcing or generating the images needed for posts on applications like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and more. Photoshop would be your primary tool for editing, finalizing, and formatting those images for each specific platform. You can expect to make around $71,000 in this role and could eventually progress to a Social Media Manager position.
A production artist uses computer software to design and develop graphics and artwork for products, advertisements, and promotional materials. In this role, you would work with art directors, graphic designers, and other design teams to ensure that creative designs are executed for a variety of applications. The average salary for this role is on par with a Social Media Strategist, coming in around $79,000.
Ledet Training offers Adobe Photoshop 101, a two-day in-person course that’s ideal for beginners. With the help of an expert instructor, you’ll learn the Photoshop interface and how to properly set up a system for professional-quality image editing. You’ll then dive into real-world workflows that pros use for efficient photo retouching, repair, and publishing, and practice working with layers, masks, channels, and typography to gain all the skills you need to create amazing image effects. Ledet courses are also offered online to accommodate those who can’t take advantage of an on-site offering.
Also held live online through Noble Desktop, this bootcamp course focuses solely on developing your skills within Adobe Photoshop. You’ll master removing unwanted elements from photos, making selections, and saving files for print or web. You’ll also get familiar with the more minute details of the software, like adjusting color and contrast, removing unwanted elements from photos, making selections to work with specific parts of an image, and taking part of one photo and putting it into another. Through project-based training from experts, you’ll walk away from this course confident in your skills and with a portfolio of work in hand.
This course includes a free retake, a proprietary workbook, and a verified digital certificate upon completion. Payment plans and financial assistance are available upon request.
While not offered in-person in Connecticut, this in-depth Noble Desktop course still offers face-to-face interaction through its live online format. This three-month part-time (or one-month full-time) training offers hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, three essential programs for graphic designers. You’ll learn to edit and retouch photos in Photoshop, create vector graphics in Illustrator, and design page layouts in InDesign. Throughout the course, you’ll create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.
Tuition for this course includes one-on-one mentoring, setup assistance, and a free retake. Payment plans and other forms of financial assistance are available for those who need them.
If you’re looking to offer in-person or online training to your office or team, Noble Desktop can help. They offer a variety of corporate training programs, including in Photoshop. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, choose which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training hosted at a location of your choosing, live online, or at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan office.
With a top-notch customizable curriculum and instructors who are experts in their industries, Noble Desktop’s corporate training is designed to cater to your business or organization’s needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com.
As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., is a hub for government, public service, and major organizations, which means there’s ample opportunity for professional development. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge in the field of tech, data, business, or design, you can explore training options available to both individuals and federal professionals. Classes are right in the heart of the city, offering knowledgeable instructors with decades of combined training and a wide range of specializations. From their real-world experience in the field, these instructors provide valuable insights that help students get comfortable while learning the material. Not to mention, the skills they develop in the classroom are practical and transferable, meaning students can put their newfound knowledge right to work.
Training with Noble Desktop’s team is easy with the modern facilities located at 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20024. It’s mere steps away from L’Enfant Plaza and offers an array of benefits, like a professional yet welcoming environment and a modern workspace. Getting there from anywhere in D.C. is straightforward, whether by Metro, bus, or car. L’Enfant Plaza is served by multiple Metro lines, and there are several bus routes that stop nearby. Those driving can also access parking garages that are easily within walking distance.
Photoshop is a core tool for editing images, building campaign assets, and refining visual content for print and digital use. Noble Desktop's instructors teach the techniques they rely on in their own work so students can confidently enhance and create graphics. Learning at this school also offers a wide range of professional development opportunities, with classes led by expert instructors who can help you acquire skills that get you ready for the real world.
Brian is an educator and training leader passionate about helping professionals grow in fields like project management and AI. He designs adaptive learning programs that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, making training practical and within reach for anyone. Brian’s work also centers heavily around AI integration, particularly in training situations to show organizations how easy it can be applied to the workplace, showing ways to tackle real-world problems, enhance leadership, streamline projects, and support better decision-making. Beyond teaching, he has also developed curricula and led training on a massive scale. Brian’s blend of talents and interests makes him well-positioned to train others and help them navigate the complexities of the subject matter.
With more than 25 years of experience, Clarissa is a seasoned corporate trainer, Project Manager, and Business Consultant and has helped professionals and organizations alike achieve tangible results around the world. Her work has taken her to amazing places around the world, from China to Africa, training over 10,000 participants in leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies. Clarissa has worked with teams at NASA, Microsoft, Citibank, and FEMA, just to name a few, and is known for designing interactive yet practical sessions where her listeners can apply their skills immediately. At Graduate School USA, she played a pivotal role and contributed to numerous programs, including the Managing for Results course. She’s a quality instructor, focusing on subjects like project management, AI, and even Adobe, and has a heavy commitment to professionalism, innovation, and student success.
Michele’s professional record in Human Resources, organizational development, and leadership training has been acquired over 25 years in the field. She is a Business Strategist and HR innovator who has helped public, private, federal, and higher education organizations on their path to success. In particular, Michele excels in organizational assessment, project and performance management, workforce development, change management, conflict resolution, and AI initiatives. She prides herself on guiding individuals to leverage their strengths while fulfilling their professional lives. Her consulting work includes leading the DC Courts HR Division’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and Workforce Development Program, “Fulfilling Our Future.” She’s also held senior executive positions at Howard University, the Air Line Pilots Association, and Executive Transitions International. She’s currently working as an adjunct faculty at Graduate School USA and Anne Arundel Community College.
Alan Zucker brings real-world expertise from both the federal government and Fortune 100 companies to the classroom. With more than 25 years of professional work in project management, he makes for an ideal instructor. He has managed the project execution organization of 175 professionals, led high-visibility strategic initiatives, and delivered thousands of successful projects. His education began at George Washington University, where he earned his Bachelor’s, before progressing to earn a Master's in Economics from the University of Maryland. Moreover, he holds a wide variety of certifications, such as the Project Management Professional Certification (PMP), PMI-ACP, Disciplined Agile Coach, SAFe Program Consultant, Certified Scrum Professional, and Agile Leadership Academy Trainer. Alan is an active member of the project management community, having served as a keynote speaker, frequent industry commentator, and author of nearly 150 articles on project management.
Tashea is a Human Resources Executive and Federal Consultant, holding over 23 years of experience across multiple federal agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, State, and Health and Human Services. Known for her ability to strategize and take the lead, Tahsea has transformed HR policies to align with mission strategies and outcomes, influencing government-wide procedures such as onboarding and pay equity. Tashea is a staunch advocate for ethical leadership, inclusivity, and organizational success. In addition, she prides herself on her authenticity and purpose-driven spirit, which translates into her work as an educator as well. In addition to teaching subjects like AI. She’s an author and entrepreneur, and is always looking for ways to help organizations and individuals alike.
With a strong foundation in federal human resources management and legal counseling, Charles is a highly knowledgeable Employee and Labor Relations Consultant in Washington, D.C. He began his education at Loyola University, earning his B.A. in Business Administration and Political Science, before graduating from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Throughout his career, Charles has guided agencies through complex HR and labor-related challenges, managed HR programs, and represented organizations in legal proceedings. He has also designed and delivered specialized training in human resources, project management, and marketing. Charles’ professional background has led to numerous accolades and awards, showcasing his impact in the field.
Dr. David E. McCullin, better known as Dr. Mac, specializes in strategic communication, homeland security, data analytics, and accurate decision-making. Prior to his work at Graduate School USA, Dr. Mac obtained his Bachelor’s in Engineering, his Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Doctorate in Management of Complex Adaptive Systems. He served 24 years in the U.S. Army, including 13 in Special Operations. He later worked at the Department of Homeland Security as an Intelligence and Infrastructure Security Analyst for nearly a decade. Through his education and solid professional career, he has been able to teach students a variety of important skills and has also developed innovative learning tools and games that help improve decision-making and analytical thinking skills.
As a part-time instructor at Graduate School USA for over 15 years, Natalya’s expertise cannot go unnoticed. She’s an educator and has developed curricula for the school, including the Change Management Workshops and several project management courses. Not to mention, she’s also served as a learning coach, facilitator, and instructor for government leadership programs and has developed the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process. Natalya earned her Master’s in Project Management and her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, making her a well-qualified and effective educator, project manager, coach, and consultant.
Alan is a retired combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Navy with over 30 years of experience in federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, supply chain management, and IT acquisitions. He holds an MBA from George Washington University and a Teaching Certification from Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. Throughout his career across federal, state, and local government agencies, Alan has worked for numerous departments, such as the Department of State and Defense, as well as the Office of the Mayor of D.C. Alan is also an accomplished consultant and business strategist, having aided in the development of organizational projects at Lockheed Martin and PwC, to name a few. His background and lengthy career make him an ideal instructor for those looking to learn more about finance, accounting, and project management.
As a skilled instructor and business leader, Derk Mattocks possesses the skills and career experience to bolster his credibility. He gained his B.S. in Organization Management from Nyack College and his Master’s in Leadership and Military Installation Management, as well as an MBA in Financial Management and Analysis from the University of Maryland. He is a licensed Certified Advanced Professional Business Coach and trained mediator, with the certification to facilitate the “Five Practices of Leadership” workshops. Derk has also served as a Senior Advisor and Instructor for the U.S. Army. Overall, he has the credentials to serve as an accomplished and well-versed instructor, often covering topics related to project management and marketing.
Melanie is a federal acquisition and contracting expert with over 30 years of professional experience in Washington, D.C., spanning both government and education sectors. She has served as the Vice President of Acquisition Policy at SAIC and as the Managing Editor of the Federal Contracts Report at Bloomberg BNA. She’s currently an instructor at Graduate School USA, often teaching classes related to the marketing realm. She’s a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association, positioning her as a person with incredible leadership skills and knowledge of her field. She earned her MBA from Georgetown University and is known as a clear, trusted instructor who consistently challenges students to take their skills to the next level.