Are Photoshop Bootcamps Worth It?

Photoshop bootcamps are worth it for a number of reasons, but no two Photoshop bootcamps are alike. Some may be more suitable for you than others, so it is important to consider all your options. Before enrolling in a Photoshop bootcamp, you should remind yourself of your goals. If you want to master Photoshop for a professional endeavor, a bootcamp is a great option. In addition, consider your budget and the time you’re willing to spend learning Photoshop. Depending on your current skill level, you’ll want to choose a class that isn’t too advanced or simplistic. Plus, some bootcamps offer more resources and additional benefits than others, which may entice you depending on your needs and preferences. All of these considerations make it important to research and compare courses so you end up enrolled in the best one possible for your goals and wants. In this article, you’ll gain more insight into the various options hopeful Photoshop experts have to choose from.

Consider the Cost

It’s no secret that educational endeavors cost money. However, each course will differ in cost, so it’s worth contemplating your purpose, budget, and options to ensure you don’t end up wasting your time or money. If you want to learn Photoshop for a professional endeavor, such as a job or a career change, it’s worth spending the extra money to learn new skills as they’ll pay off in the long run. Alternatively, if you just want to learn Photoshop as a fun hobby or a way to enhance personal photos, you could sign up for shorter, lower-cost classes as needed. Free and low-cost options exist, but they aren’t going to provide as thorough an education as a training course or bootcamp would. While having options and resources is necessary, students should remember certain resources are purely supplemental and not conducive to obtaining a professional-level skill set. Bootcamps are often an expensive endeavor, but they frequently allow students to choose from different payment plans as well as different benefits like additional mentoring, interview preparation, and plenty of hands-on instruction.

Advantages of a Photoshop Bootcamp

Bootcamps are one of the best learning opportunities for students. They are live, instructor-led programs designed with students' success in mind that focus heavily on professional skill development and hands-on instruction. Photoshop bootcamps are taught by someone with ample experience using this intricate photo editing software, so students are in good hands. Most bootcamps are immersive and allow students to complete projects rooted in real-life scenarios and can help pad a well-developed portfolio. Students can find bootcamps at professional training centers, such as Noble Desktop, or through university and community college’s continuing education programs. This article will discuss a few major benefits of enrolling in a Photoshop bootcamp.

General Benefits

Most choose to take a Photoshop bootcamp for the thorough education, ample benefits and resources, and career readiness that come with enrollment. Each bootcamp differs depending on the subject matter and the training center, but there are many reasons to enroll. To start, most bootcamps offer mentoring sessions and discussions that prepare students for the future and make the job search much less daunting. For instance, some bootcamps provide students with mock interviews and portfolio development. There are many additional benefits and resources, such as video collections, workbooks, setup assistance, and payment plans. Plus, many bootcamps allow students to retake the course for free within a set period. For example, Noble Desktop allows students to retake the course within a year of their original enrollment. Overall, bootcamps offer students realistic expectations, ample support, and collaborative, interactive, hands-on lessons that lead to less confusion.

Access to Programs and Applications

Adobe Photoshop is an application under Adobe’s Creative Cloud, a collection of creative design software ranging from video and photo editing to motion graphics and social media marketing content. Creative Cloud requires a subscription to access the applications, which is relatively expensive without support from a school or employer. As a result, many novices shy away from purchasing this software as many don’t want to (or are unable to) spend money on a service they have zero experience using. This makes it difficult to learn Photoshop unless you have ample funds to spare. However, enrolling in a bootcamp can make this a non-issue. Bootcamp providers often offer students limited licenses so they can use Photoshop throughout the course. This removes the stress of shelling out money for the bootcamp and the software, making the learning experience much less taxing, and allows students to gain necessary skills to use in the future should they choose to subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud.

Learning Design Principles and Theory

Some people need differing levels of Photoshop knowledge, which can mean they need some skills more than others. For instance, some would benefit from learning more about design theory than others. This may depend on personal preference and future professional goals. People who use Photoshop professionally should understand the theory behind Photoshop and design principles just as much as the interface, and the necessary tools. However, hobbyists may not need to understand why lighting is important or how design principles affect a photo; instead, they just need to learn the skills necessary to make an image look refined and clear or how to manipulate objects within an image. In this case, you may choose a short course instead of a bootcamp.

Hands-On Experience

Bootcamps offer hands-on experience, which is an incredible benefit to the student. Opposite to an on-demand course, bootcamps allow students to use the software first-hand and gain realistic experience through various activities and projects. It’s hard to gain hands-on experience outside of class for several reasons, mainly due to the lack of direction. The instructor will show students how to navigate Photoshop’s interface, use certain tools, and complete editing tasks like resizing, cropping, masking, and layering. The projects are designed to be practical and provide students with relevant experience using the software. In addition, bootcamps are career-building and equip students with skills used in multiple fields and industries. 

Direct Feedback from Instructors

Students who enroll in a bootcamp typically do so to have the most thorough and effective learning experience, and the instructor is a key factor in ensuring that the learning process is successful. As mentioned previously, the instructors in a bootcamp are professionals and can provide more insight into Photoshop techniques, features, and tools than the average person. Students in a bootcamp are often novices or have minimal experience using Photoshop, so the instructor puts forth a great deal of effort to give students individualized feedback on projects and answer as many questions as they can. Much like writing an essay, editing a creative project requires multiple eyes and opinions to get the most visually stunning and compelling photograph or digital image. Additionally, the instructor will help students fix any editing errors or handle troubleshooting techniques together which makes the editing process far less challenging than completing projects solo.

Building a Professional Portfolio

Portfolio development is essential to finding a fulfilling career in photo editing or a related creative field. Many students have a hard time building their portfolio without the help of a class or specific project, particularly if they have never taken a class, bootcamp, or completed a project on Photoshop before. Some can edit photos on their own time, but they may lack some of the professionalism that many employers look for in an applicant's previous work. Bootcamps allow students to explore their creativity and build their Photoshop skills in a space that fosters professional development and gives students realistic expectations. A well-developed and versatile portfolio shows employers all your different abilities, which can provide a leg up in the job search.

Considerations When Searching for a Photoshop Bootcamp

Photoshop bootcamps are often the first step in beginning a meaningful career. When searching for the right bootcamp, you’ll want to see which course best suits your needs. Some may need more instruction than others depending on their current skill level while others need to find a bootcamp with a flexible schedule or payment plans. Students should also remind themselves why they want to learn Photoshop in the first place. This can help them choose the best bootcamp possible. Below are a few main things to consider before enrolling in a Photoshop bootcamp.

General Considerations

In general, students should make sure they have ample time to fit a bootcamp into their weekly schedule. Live bootcamps require students to attend, either in-person or virtually, every chance they get. Missing class or coming late can lead to confusion or falling behind, so time is a large factor. In addition, most bootcamps are incredibly hands-on, require students to practice heavily, and perhaps complete quizzes, exams, and projects. This is mainly helpful for students who need an immersive experience. In addition, those in a live online course will need a quiet place to attend class and a strong internet connection. Those in an in-person course will need reliable transportation. 

Balancing Theory and Practical Application

Some need certain skills more than others, which can affect the type of bootcamp you choose or whether you choose a bootcamp at all. Suppose you are learning Photoshop for a professional endeavor, particularly one like photography which will require extensive knowledge and use of Photoshop. In that case, you will want to consider what level of depth you want to explore. Professionals should understand Photoshop inside and out, whereas a hobbyist or someone learning a project or two at work wouldn’t need to learn anything other than the practical application of the tools and features. Bootcamps typically provide a balance of the two, but predominantly focus on the realistic uses of Photoshop.

What Skills You Need

In addition, ask yourself what type of Photoshop skills you want to gain. This will be a key consideration in choosing a bootcamp. Hobbyists won’t need as in-depth skills as professionals; however, hobbyists can also achieve expert-level skills if they so choose. However, their learning timeline will differ from someone who wants to learn Photoshop for professional use since there’s no rush in gaining those skills. Alternatively, someone with ample skills could benefit more from an on-demand class or a shorter course since they already know how to work Photoshop on a deeper level.

Is It Worth Enrolling in a Photoshop Bootcamp?

Who Will Find Photoshop Bootcamps Worthwhile?

First and foremost, a total beginner will benefit the most from a bootcamp. If your end goal is to make Photoshop into a career, such as a Photographer or a marketing expert, then a professional training course like a bootcamp will be an ideal way to get started. In bootcamps, students learn necessary skills that can take them further in their professional endeavors. They can practice interviews, attend additional mentoring sessions, and build their portfolios in a bootcamp as opposed to an on-demand class or other learning option. While costly, bootcamps are one of the best options for someone with zero experience and who wants to build a well-developed arsenal of skills.

Intermediates would also benefit greatly from enrolling in a bootcamp as they are a great way to evolve one's skills. Someone who already has a little experience with Photoshop could benefit from the refresher at the beginning, but will also learn new skills in the more advanced aspects of the bootcamp. Truly, these are the folks for whom a Photoshop bootcamp could make all the difference.

Who May Benefit from Photoshop Bootcamps?

Additionally, a Photoshop bootcamp could be worthwhile for those who work in other creative or communicative fields. Someone who works in video editing, animation, motion graphics, and other design-related careers can learn new tricks and tools to expand their skillset and feel more comfortable navigating different tasks or fields. Even though they may not use Photoshop every day or even every week, photo editing can be useful on certain projects. In a team of creative design professionals, having a wide range of skills will set them apart from others and perhaps lead to more responsibility and trust at work.

Even those who work in non-creative fields that still require strong communication and visual skills, such as marketing experts, could benefit from a Photoshop bootcamp. Many Marketers work in digital spaces where they share photos and videos regularly. As a result, learning Photoshop to edit photos for social media pages, websites, and email could be useful. Others will work on print campaigns that are shared nationwide and therefore need extremely enhanced and edited photos. Additionally, having a side hustle may require some marketing, which is where Photoshop skills can come in handy once more.

Who May Not Need a Photoshop Bootcamp?

Some people may not need to enroll in a Photoshop bootcamp. For example, if you work in a non-creative field, such as finance, medicine, or data analytics, there’s no real reason to learn Photoshop unless you simply want to learn a fun skill. Some non-creative fields could still have tasks where Photoshop can prove useful, but these are likely far and few between. In this case, a short course or on-demand class in Photoshop could be worthwhile rather than a bootcamp.

Additionally, hobbyists may not need a bootcamp. While they could still benefit from a bootcamp, it’s not exactly necessary if they are learning Photoshop for fun only. A hobbyist or someone learning Photoshop for personal reasons could learn just as easily from a short course or even take an on-demand course. While these options are less thorough, and perhaps even less hands-on, they are still able to provide students with basic skills.