How do Beginners Learn Photoshop?

Aspiring Photoshop experts have to start somewhere, with many opting to enroll in a live course, bootcamp, or workshop. Beginner students start from the very beginning by exploring the Photoshop interface since there are many tools, panels, and selection techniques to learn. Many beginners learn to use the Brush Tool, Eraser Tool, and Pen Tool. In addition, many beginners learn to work with masks and layers and use basic editing techniques like cropping, resizing, and rotating. They will also work with the visual aspects related to lighting, color, balance, and brightness. Naturally, beginners will also learn how to share files ranging from JPEGs to PDFs and more. 

Getting Started with Photoshop

You won’t need a great deal of items before learning Photoshop. First, you will need access to a computer. If you have a laptop, this is ideal. Otherwise, you may want to find a course where computers are provided. With this, you will need a strong internet connection, particularly if you are enrolled in a live online course. Additionally, you may want to find free tools that can supplement your learning experience and help you create personal projects. This may include books, tutorials, videos, blogs, discussion boards, or social media accounts.

Most importantly, you will need Adobe Photoshop. You can download this application on your computer if you already have a subscription. If this is too costly, you can access a free trial, but this will eventually run out. By enrolling in a live course, you likely have access to Photoshop through the limited license provided by a training center, such as Noble Desktop. This is highly cost-effective since Adobe Creative Cloud is rather costly to the average person.

The First Steps When Learning Photoshop

While learning Photoshop, you will want to start from the very beginning. This is particularly true if you have zero experience and want to become an expert Photoshop user. However, it may be confusing to know where to start. Unsurprisingly, you will learn how to navigate the interface as one of the first steps and where to access tools, panels, menus, and other workspace options. Learning this may take time, but once you get the hang of it, your projects will go more smoothly and quickly.

Once you know where the tools are, you will learn how to use them. Specific tools like the Lasso Tool, Crop Tool, Brush Tool, Eraser Tool, and Clone Stamp Tool are essential to creating visually appealing, subtly retouched images. You will learn how to create, duplicate, merge, and adjust layers. This may include blending layers or adjusting the focal point to be more opaque or sharp. Likewise, beginners also learn to remove objects and practice editing a photo’s brightness, contrast, saturation, and highlights, which can improve an image's clarity. In addition, you will learn how to add text and adjust the color, size, alignment, and spacing.

Additionally, a beginner Photoshop student will learn the difference between file types, as each has their advantages and disadvantages. Many students will explore different shortcuts as well, such as keyboard shortcuts. This speeds the editing process along and makes your editing tasks much less time-consuming. As you advance, the editing techniques and tools become more challenging but more effective on the edited image. Learning these foundational tools and techniques will help make more advanced concepts far less daunting and more of an exciting challenge.

Free Photoshop Tools for Beginners

If you are curious about learning Photoshop, you may want to research the application a little more to decide whether you need further instruction. You can find in-person resources at a local library such as books, tutorials, and, occasionally, free lectures. However, you may live in a remote area or have trouble finding time to visit a library. If this is the case, you still have options. You can search for online resources such as websites, blogs, and chatrooms. Here, Photoshop users of all skill levels can offer insight into editing and troubleshooting techniques.

Likewise, you can access social media accounts on video-based applications such as YouTube or TikTok. Many creators share their projects and impart knowledge to others who may not have the same skill level. These video collections are a useful resource as they can be educational, informational, or inspirational. Similarly, Noble Desktop’s free seminar page has various pre-recorded lectures that discuss different tools and subjects, including Photoshop. Having access to these resources makes learning Photoshop feel possible despite your skill level and can give you just enough information before enrolling in a professional live course.

Live Photoshop Training for Beginners

Live Photoshop training is arguably the best way for a beginner to learn the skills necessary for professional advancement. Even if you choose to learn Photoshop for personal reasons, a live training course is the most effective method. With this in mind, you will want to consider the delivery method of the course. Some courses are in-person or live online, which both have their advantages and disadvantages. Likewise, you may consider whether you choose a part-time or full-time course. This will depend on personal circumstances that will determine which learning method is the right one for you.

Additionally, beginners need ample feedback, guidance, and support throughout. This is especially true for learning such a hands-on skill like Photoshop. Luckily, live training options provide all three to students. The interaction between students and their instruction is pivotal in the learning process and can make all the difference between gaining expertise. In addition, most training centers offer specific benefits ranging from payment plans and setup assistance to bonus mentoring sessions and a free retake of the course.

With these considerations in mind, it is easy to see why live training is best for a beginner. With the student-instructor interaction, immersive nature, personalized feedback, and continued assistance with projects, you will feel more capable of using Photoshop in a professional setting or as you otherwise intended. The instructor can provide demonstrations, in-depth explanations, a structured, timeline-driven curriculum, and direct experience with the software. All this, paired with increased motivation, makes live learning one of the best ways for beginners to grow into experts.

The Next Step

After completing a beginner course, you may question what to do next. If you have entry-level skills in Photoshop and want to become a professional user, you will want to start by diversifying your skills. You can do this by exploring different tools, techniques, and trends. In addition, you will want to expand your portfolio and include more advanced or polished images. You can also learn by collaborating with others. In addition, it may benefit you to find a specialty and learn as much about it as possible, such as 3D design or portrait photography. Lastly, staying up to date with Photoshop software updates is one of the best ways to take the next steps.

The natural next step is to enroll in more advanced classes, bootcamps, and certificate courses. You may even choose to pursue a certification and use the live training method to prepare for the certification exam. Advanced classes show students the more complex techniques and tools but also focus on refining your images to the most professional caliber. Depending on your intended specialization and purpose for learning Photoshop, you may choose to learn 3D design, digital illustrations, or even other design applications under Adobe Creative Cloud. 

Thanks to the portfolio development and career advancement provided by professional training, you have myriad options for employment or creative endeavors. With the help of a skilled instructor, you can find employment in photography, graphic design, digital design, marketing, and other fields that have a focus on photo and image editing. Additionally, you can become a freelance professional or start a photo editing business on the side. Even if you choose to edit family photos for your loved ones, you can apply the skills learned in a more advanced Photoshop class.

Live Classes and Bootcamps at Noble Desktop

The Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp at Noble Desktop teaches students the essentials of image editing and design. Through 18 hours of instruction and hands-on projects, students will manipulate images, work with text, apply filters, and use various tools. The instructor will show students how to navigate the interface and provide feedback on hands-on projects, including nature photography, action shots, marketing material, and portraits. As a participant in the bootcamp, you will have access to additional benefits, such as setup assistance, a free retake within a year, and a certificate of completion.

Additionally, Noble Desktop’s 12-hour Photoshop Advanced class helps take your skills to the next level. Designed with your previous experience in mind, you will learn more refined concepts and techniques that lead to more compelling images. You will learn photo retouching, masking methods, using Channel selections, and applying complex color grading techniques. For example, you will edit skin in portraits, use the generative AI feature, and combine photos. In this course, students can retake the course within a year and earn a verified certificate of completion.

Across 30 hours of instruction, you will go from beginner to expert in Noble’s Photoshop Masterclass. Students will learn realistic projects often found in various professional settings and practice retouching photos, creating visual effects, applying color correction, and using masks and layers. The instructor will also show students how to use the Pen tool for vector masks. In this class, students can request setup assistance, access workbooks, retake the course within a year, and earn a verified digital certificate. 

The Digital Design Certificate at Noble Desktop is the ideal way to undergo an all-encompassing digital design experience. Students will learn Photoshop as well as other Adobe applications that are frequently used alongside Photoshop, such as Illustrator and InDesign. Specific portfolio projects include creating vector graphics, retouching photos, and creating page layouts. Students will also use HTML and CSS to learn web design concepts and practices. This course totals 138 hours of instruction and has additional benefits including setup assistance and a free take. In addition, students can take advantage of additional mentoring sessions and payment plans to feel like they are truly getting their money’s worth. Lastly, students will earn their verified certificate as proof of their achievement.