Adobe Photoshop for Beginners Course Notes

Introduction

• Instructor: Dan Scott, Adobe Certified Instructor at Envato Tuts Plus
• Target Audience: Absolute beginners, no prior Photoshop or design knowledge required
• Course Structure: Practical examples instead of every tool and feature

Key Learning Outcomes

• Enhance photographs: Adjust lighting and color, change colors completely
• Text manipulation: Distort text and apply effects
• Image manipulation: Cropping, resizing, and retouching techniques
• Mastering layers and masks
• Best practices for exporting images

Course Resources

• Source files available for download
• Exercises included for hands-on practice
• Share progress on forums and social media:
  • Twitter: Tuts+ Design, Dan Loves Adobe
  • Instagram: Bring Your Own Laptop

Setting Up Photoshop

• Reset workspace:
  • Window > Workspaces > Essentials
  • Window > Workspaces > Reset Essentials

Layers

• Understanding layers:
  • Default background layer is locked
  • Duplicate layer to edit without affecting the original
• Automatic adjustments:
  • Auto Tone, Auto Contrast, Auto Color
• Layer visibility: Use the eye icon to toggle layers
• Exporting images: Learn best practices for saving projects

Text Manipulation

• Text effects: Apply distortions and effects
• Cropping and resizing images: Essential techniques for layout

Working with Images

• Importing images: File > Open, drag and drop techniques
• Transforming images: Edit > Transform > Scale, Rotate, Distort, Warp
• Content-aware features:
  • Content-aware scale to extend backgrounds
  • Content-aware fill for removing objects

Retouching Techniques

• Spot Healing Brush: Remove blemishes and distractions
• Layer masks: Preserve original images while editing
• Non-destructive editing: Keep layers separate for future edits

Exporting Images

• Use cases for exporting:
  • Print: Save as PDF or JPEG
  • Web: Export as JPEG, PNG for transparency
• Adjust quality settings for social media and web usage

Advanced Techniques

• Smart Objects: Benefits of using smart objects for images and logos
• Transform and Warp tools: Distorting graphics to fit different shapes

Conclusion

• Additional Resources:
  • Advanced Photoshop tutorials available on Envato Tuts Plus
  • Specialized courses for photographers, designers, and marketers
• Encourage sharing work and feedback on courses on social media.