12-2-Tips

1. Never work off of your original file, always make a copy of it, I can’t reiterate this enough. That way if something happens with your work, you can always start over with your original file.

2. Get familiar with Photoshop’s layout, learn the Application Bar, Menu Bar, Options Bar, Tools Panel, and the Panels area.

3. Experiment with all the different filters and their settings, you can drastically change the look of your image with a few quick clicks.

4. Get very familiar with the Layers panel. Learn how you can change the order of items, change blending modes, opacity, and add layer styles.

5. Get to know the History panel, it’s great for going back several steps and looking at the changes you’ve made.

6. Practice selecting items using the various tools like the Quick Selection Tool, Magic Wand, Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, and Magnetic Lasso Tools. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages, so practice to see what works best.

7. Learn how to add words to your picture by using the Type tool, and then play with the Character Panel to see how you can change your lettering.

8. Learn how you can repair your photos by using items like the Healing and Spot Healing Brush Tools, Patch, Red Eye, and Clone Stamp Tools.

9. Use the items under Image on the Menu Bar, such as Levels, Curves, Brightness/Contrast, etc. to enhance your pictures.

10. The list can go on and on, but practice and have fun, Photoshop is a great application for making your pictures something special.