January 2020 course updated: I added a quick video about Photoshop 2020 update on constrain proportions when resizing smart objects, photos, type layers, and shape layers.

Course updated: a fun new tutorial on Parallax Effect or 2.5D Animation Effect in Adobe Photoshop added in a new section for fun effects.

This introductory course to Photoshop covers the fundamental functions to get started editing and improving photos. The student learns how to customize workspaces and panels, navigate the canvas effectively, work with multiple images and file types, and use various methods of image enhancement, including layering, selecting, and masking. Support files are included for this course, so students can follow along in the hands-on lectures. If you're a beginner to Photoshop or simply want to learn more about various selections, layering, and masking techniques, this course is for you!

The course is structured in a way to maximize learning. I first go over how to do basic functions in Photoshop like

Adjusting settings of new documents

Navigating around the canvas

Cycling through screen modes

Working with multiple images

Cropping and resizing images

I then go over into more detailed instruction, in which the students continue to follow along and learn more about

Layering images

Layer blending modes

Adjustment layers

Layer styles

Making selections

Masking layers

Color and lighting corrections

The course includes follow-along exercises that involve using layering and masking to create a “text in photo" clipping mask effect, a high dynamic range landscape adjustment, and a selective sharpening portrait edit. You will also learn by creating images for online advertising and social media in Photoshop.

I have years of experience using Photoshop, including doing web and advertising design at a newspaper, an advertising design firm, a library system, and freelance work for about two decades. I've also been managing editor at two international graphic design magazines, and I'm currently a full-time professor of graphic design and digital media. I've taken classes on digital production and design during my undergraduate and graduate work.

So enroll today and let's learn about Photoshop and its amazing capabilities of photo editing and digital effects.