How to use Photoshop: 5 basic steps to edit a photo

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the world of photography, the allure of diving into Adobe Photoshop is hard to resist. Don't let the thought of editing in Photoshop scare you off—it's simpler than you might think, and just a few tweaks can transform your images into something truly spectacular.

Over the years, Adobe Photoshop has become my go-to tool for editing photos and crafting graphics, thanks to its endless possibilities. The methods you choose to edit your photos will largely depend on your personal style. Below, I'll walk you through a basic approach to get you started.

How to Use Photoshop

Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop

Launch Adobe Photoshop and navigate to the 'File' menu at the top of your screen. Click 'Open' to access the file browser and select the photo you want to edit. I've chosen a snapshot taken by my five-year-old, which adds a fun twist to this tutorial.

Once your image is open, you'll see the Photoshop interface: the Tools panel on the left, the Options bar at the top, and the Adjustments and Layers panels on the right.

Photoshop operates using layers. When you make adjustments like brightness and contrast, you're adding an adjustment layer on top of your image. If you decide to remove that layer later, the adjustments go with it.

Remember, the order of your layers matters. Your photo should always be the base layer. Anything beneath it won't be visible unless you cut out or erase parts of your image to reveal what's underneath.

Step 2: Crop and Straighten

Select the Crop tool and think of your photo as a canvas. The first thing I do is adjust the canvas to fit the size and composition I want. Drag the corners of the crop frame to resize it. To rotate and straighten your image, move your cursor just outside the crop frame until it turns into a bent, double-ended arrow, then click and drag.

Composition is crucial, both when taking the photo and when editing. Make sure you're not cropping out important elements and that the composition remains balanced.

Straightening your photo can make a big difference. A good tip is to use the horizon as a guide. If you have a specific line you want to straighten to, click 'Straighten' in the Options bar and draw a line along it. Not all photos need to be perfectly straight, though; sometimes a slight tilt can add an artistic flair. Experiment to see what works best for your image.

Once you're satisfied with the crop and rotation, click the checkmark in the Options bar or press Enter to apply the changes.

Step 3: Play with Your Levels

Under Adjustments, select Levels to add a layer that lets you tweak the image's exposure. This is where you'll get familiar with the histogram, a graph that shows the light levels in your photo. The left side represents black, and the right side represents white. Adjusting the indicator arrows can significantly alter the shadows and highlights.

Ideally, the histogram's waves should taper off evenly on both ends. If they end abruptly, it might indicate over- or under-exposure. However, a great photo doesn't necessarily need a perfectly balanced histogram. For instance, a photo taken at night might have a histogram like the one on the left below.

There's a lot more to learn about histograms, but this is a good starting point for Photoshop beginners. Adjusting Levels is a bit more advanced, but it's a great way to get comfortable with histograms.

Step 4: Adjust Color Balance

Select Color Balance under Adjustments to add a layer that lets you tweak the colors in your photo. The image I chose has a reddish tint because my five-year-old photographer didn't adjust the white balance. I'll use a Color Balance layer to correct this and make the colors look more natural.

This step isn't always necessary, as many cameras, especially smartphones, automatically adjust white balance. But it's a valuable skill to have for those times when you need it.

Step 5: Remove Any Unwanted Spots

Removing spots is a common request I get, and Photoshop offers several ways to do it. One of the simplest methods involves using the Spot Healing Brush and the Clone Stamp tool.

The Spot Healing Brush Tool

The Spot Healing Brush is an automatic tool that removes blemishes with a simple click. It bases its corrections on the surrounding area. To use it, select the Spot Healing Brush Tool from the left toolbar.

Ensure you've selected the photo layer, not an adjustment layer, and rasterize it if necessary (right-click the layer and choose 'Rasterize Layer'). Then, click on the spots you want to remove.

The Clone Stamp Tool

The Clone Stamp tool is perfect for larger marks, especially on smooth backgrounds. Again, make sure your photo layer is selected and rasterized, then choose the Clone Stamp Tool.

Find a spot on your photo that you want to use to cover the blemish. For smooth areas, I usually pick a spot right next to the blemish to avoid issues with shadows and highlights. Hold Alt (or Option on a Mac) and click to clone the spot, then move your cursor to the blemish and click to stamp it over.

I removed some scuff marks from the photo above but left a larger drip mark for simplicity. It adds a bit of character, don't you think?

This guide is just a quick introduction to the vast world of Photoshop, but it should help you get comfortable with the basics. Hopefully, it'll inspire you to explore more of what Photoshop has to offer.

FAQs

How Can I Zoom In or Out on Photoshop?

The Zoom tool is located on the left side of the window in the toolbar. Click the magnifying glass icon (or press 'Z' on your keyboard), and the Options bar at the top will show '+' to zoom in and '-' to zoom out. This is handy when you need to work on fine details.

Can I Learn Photoshop in a Week?

While you can grasp the basics in a few days with some trial and error, Photoshop is incredibly rich in features. I've been using it for nearly two decades and am still discovering new things. Plus, Adobe frequently updates it, adding new features all the time.

How Much Does Photoshop Cost?

Since Adobe switched to the Creative Cloud model in 2013, Photoshop and other Adobe software are available through subscription plans. Here's a breakdown of their Photoshop subscription options:

• Photoshop and Lightroom (20GB Cloud Storage): $9.99 per month
• Photoshop and Lightroom (1TB Cloud Storage): $19.99 per month
• Photoshop (100GB Cloud Storage): $20.99 per month

What Is the Difference Between Photoshop and Photoshop CC?

Photoshop is the name of the photo editing software itself, often referring to a standalone version. Photoshop CC, or Creative Cloud, is the subscription-based version available through your Adobe Creative Cloud account.