Refine your creative vision in Photoshop while mastering tools for compositing, retouching, and visual design. Learn how image editing can transform storytelling across digital and print projects.
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.
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 it 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. 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 is used to adjust layer visibility and edit objects and paths for a finalized file from Photoshop. Additionally, Photoshop files can include assets made in Illustrator such as integrating an image created as a vector file into a raster file. The reverse is also true: 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 fields like graphic design and 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. With Photoshop, you can create graphics that are visually appealing, informative, and effective in attracting attention.
Photoshop can also be used to create wireframes and prototypes of digital interfaces or 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 and 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 is applicable 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’ (programming teaches you logic, Photoshop teaches you 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 panels (also called palettes) that contain various functions and commands. The largest part of the screen displays the image you're editing. Photoshop allows you to modify the workspace and save your customized configuration for future use.
Adjustment layers are a cornerstone of non-destructive editing in Photoshop. They allow adjustments to brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and color balance without permanently altering the original image. This means you can experiment with different effects and revert changes at any time, making them a powerful tool for both beginners and professionals.
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 that can range from step-by-step motion sequences to imaginative scenes. There are principles of photo composition that you can follow to help balance visual elements within your composite. Learning composition is a soft skill that enhances the overall aesthetic and impact of your designs.
Working with color involves two primary components: hue and saturation, which include:
As part of working with 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 color theory, in addition to knowing how to adjust and manipulate color technically within Photoshop.
Curves and Levels are essential tools for detailed color correction and exposure adjustments. Curves allow you to target specific tonal areas and refine them with precision, helping to create contrast or lighten shadows. Levels enable you to set black, white, and mid-points in an image, essentially modifying the intensity of shadows, midtones, and highlights. Mastery of these tools ensures your images have optimal depth, contrast, and clarity.
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 easier to tackle. The good news is that, regardless of your experience, it is possible to become proficient in a relatively short 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, mastering Photoshop’s Pen Tool can be tricky for beginners and takes a lot of practice, but becoming familiar with the different Pen Tool 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 layer-based editing approach makes it easier to make changes in the long run, it can be difficult to master at first.
On average, a typical beginner takes about 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 such as 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. Do you want to immerse yourself in an intensive program? Do you work full-time and need your classes to take place during evenings or weekends?
In-person classes offer face-to-face interaction with both your fellow students and your expert instructor. This collaborative format is available for both full-time and part-time learning 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 receive a quality education with expert instructors and a top-notch curriculum.
Technically, it is possible to learn Photoshop for free online. YouTube tutorials, blogs, and short free workshops can all be a great way to learn the basics without investing financially. But, when it comes to more advanced skills, an in-depth training course is going to be your best option. These courses will contain a curriculum developed and taught by experts and offer you the chance to receive feedback or troubleshoot any issues with your instructor or a support team. Formal training also provides the structure and accountability that some students need to stay focused, creating an environment where you’re more likely to succeed. So, if you’re looking to master more than just the basics, a formal course or class is a more effective option than free online resources.
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. Learning complementary programs to Photoshop, like Adobe XD, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects is highly recommended. Your skills across all the Adobe software can build upon each other, enabling you to create a wide variety of digital and print products.
Additionally, Adobe offers a suite of products that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI): Sensei, Firefly, and Sensei GenAI, which could be a useful next step. Integrating AI into workflows is a rapidly growing trend, so staying on top of these innovations can help improve your Photoshop skills and professional relevance.
San Diego may be well known for its pristine beaches and temperate year-round weather, but it’s also a major hub for a variety of industries. Here are some of the top industries in the region, each of which utilizes Photoshop experts in different ways. You could work in marketing departments, video production teams, or in managing social media accounts for any of the industries listed below. Check out these options to get one step closer to your dream career.
The San Diego healthcare market has long been dominated by four health systems: Kaiser Permanente, Sharp HealthCare, Scripps Health, and University of California San Diego (UCSD) Health. As health systems expand population health strategies, they have increased affiliations with medical groups and independent practice associations. Medical groups have also grown as new and retiring physicians opt for employment over private practice ownership.
San Diego is known for its vibrant and diverse retail market. Situated along the beautiful Southern California coastline, this region offers an array of shopping options catering to a multitude of tastes and preferences. San Diego's retail market is in one of its strongest positions in years, with approximately 540,000 square feet of space under construction, representing 0.4% of existing inventory.
San Diego is a hub for advanced manufacturing companies, with more than 3,679 manufacturing establishments currently supporting more than 116,397 jobs. Manufacturing sectors including defense, aerospace, shipbuilding and repair, medical devices, craft brewing, and sports and active lifestyle industries play a significant role in the local economy.
A world leader in wireless technologies, San Diego companies are driving local and global innovation that keeps us all connected. Founded in San Diego in 1985, Qualcomm developed core technologies for 3G, 4G, and the first smartphone, and now contributes $4 billion to the local economy. Employing over 63,000 professionals across more than 4,000 companies, the average annual salary is around $160,000, well above the national average.
Photoshop is used in a variety of industries and fields and is a useful tool for countless professions. Adobe Photoshop has an estimated 23 million users per month, and more than 90% of creative professionals worldwide use Adobe Photoshop. And, with creative professionals working in almost every industry, there are plenty of job opportunities available for experts in the software. A few of the positions that most commonly use Photoshop are listed below to help you begin exploring 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 programs. The average salary for a Graphic Designer is around $78,000 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 also offer videography services, which Adobe’s suite of products can support as well. Estimating a Photographer’s salary can be tricky as many are self-employed, but you can make around $62,000 per year.
Another job title is Social Media Strategist, where you would spend your days developing social media strategies, 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 anywhere from $70,000 to $80,000 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, averaging around $62,400.
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 workspace 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 techniques such as 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, making selections to work with specific parts of an image, and extracting part of one photo and integrating 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 offers real-time interaction through its live online format. This part-time three-month (or full-time one-month) training provides 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 skills 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 qualify.
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 Photoshop. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, select which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training conducted at a location of your choice, 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.