How to improve your Photoshop Skills
There's nothing better than to play with the tool if you want to learn it. Bert Monroy always mentions that on his podcasts and I truly agree with him. I think the best way to learn is trying to recreate images and effects we like.
Here I list my 10 tips to improve your skills in Photoshop, but they can be applied to other tools as well. Besides of that leave a comment with tips and links that you think will help us to improve our Photoshop Skills as well.
1 - Start with something
I know this might sound obvious but you need to have something like some drawings, sketches, or an image rather than just a white page. Otherwise you will end up doing the same effects every time you try do design something. Get inspiration from sites like Flickr, there are some very good photoshop groups. Or just look for inspiration on the web. Below are some inspirational links. 2007 inspiration
- 10 Photoshop Masters
- Masters of Illustration - Smashingmagazine
- 12 Invaluable Sites for Web Design and Design Inspiration
- 2007 Graphic Design Inspiration
2 - Don't be dissappointed
Don't be dissappointed when your image or effect is not turning out the way you want, keep working. That happens with me all the time. When I first start designing, usually I get frustrated that my design is not becoming exactly what I had in mind. However it turns out that after I have all elements in my design it's easier to make it look the way I want.
3 - Try to recreate the effects you like.
Every time I find an image that has an effect I like I save it and try to create that effect in Photoshop. The Fire effect I did trying to reproduce an Nike ad, and the gold effect when I saw a Jewelry Ad as well.
4 - Read tutorials before start doing your design.
We usually go straight to Photoshop and try to figure out how to do the effect, it's nice but we can save a lot of time if we get some clues or ways to do that before we start the Photoshop work. There are very good sites where you can learn how to create all sorts of effects from gold text to glowing effects.
5 - Learn how to use Masks.
I know this might sound odd but there are a lot of people that don't understand how to use Masks. So stop deleting parts of your image and start masking them. There's a very cool video that shows us how to learn Masks
6 - Play around with filters
You can do all kinds of effects with them from blur to lighting effects. The most fascinating thing is if you mix some filter you always get a new result, like the Render Clouds.
7 - Spend some time learning the Layer Styles
Layer Style is one of the most useful features in Photoshop. You can create amazing text effects without applying any filter or even touching the font.
8 - Brush Engine
To be honest I had never payed much attention to this feature until 6 months ago when I was creating a falling star. After that moment I simply cant stop using it. You can create sparks, stars, clouds, and unlimited number of shapes. You can make your brush random or uniform, with different colors and opacity, and I could go on and on because the possibilities are endless
9 - Listen and watch podcasts
I think podcasts are an excellent way to learn Photoshop. The Pixel Perfect with Bert Monroy is definitely a must see podcast if you want to learn Photoshop and Illustrator.
10 - Share what you have learned with everybody
I think when we learn something there's nothing wrong in sharing our skills. Besides of the fact that you can help others, you can promote your work and even get money from writing tutorials. Psdtuts.com pays you for each tutorial you write and then publish it if selected.
About author
My name is Fabio Sasso, I'm a graphic/web designer from Porto Alegre, Brazil and I'm the founder of Abduzeedo. I hope we can share lots of information, tips, and ideas through abduzeedo.
well the tutorial is ure good help
could we have some more
and what about flash?
cheap car insurance
The video so tell me a new way
I like this
"
I know this might sound odd but there are a lot of people that don't understand how to use Masks. So stop deleting parts of your image and start masking them. There's a very cool video that shows us how to learn Masks
"
thank you !
you are humorous
Hi there, like the advice. It happens to me alot when my design dnt look the way I want them to look. thus I throw this one at everyone at the forum, does anyone know how to do these effects done on this website?
I have been trying but not quite there.
http://arsthanea.com/#/works/w24/
thanx your help is highly appreciated.
I had always used Fireworks for web development but recently started working with a Photoshop only company and had to get up to speed quickly. I'm still learning and looking for resources online. This was the best find so far. Thanks.
Thanks a lot ^-^
great job dude love the turorials sure i will buy u a cup of coffee =D
man the video is funny the last part was awesome...anyway he made a good point on the eraser tools,a lot of user using them.
Thank you for advice :)
I love you :P
Awesome! Big thanks.
thanks a lot
photoshop has been providing us with the latest options
but shouldnt it be a litle bit more easy???
This was soo awesome !!!
Man, thanks who made this tutorial !! Really inspiring...
LMAO the video was soooo funny !!
Hi,
Millions of thank.Great advice.i wish you may get everything what u want in this life.Cheers.
nice dude :D
hey nicely written
keep us updated
good job
Nothing much can be say...... Just amazing what you bring this web site ALIVE!
Appreciate your efforts
Nice post, like your header graphic. Sweet...
Really good article.
I like this advice especially:
"Don't be dissappointed when your image or effect is not turning out the way you want, keep working. That happens with me all the time. When I first start designing, usually I get frustrated that my design is not becoming exactly what I had in mind."
I need to give more time to let the design develop when I'm learning a new Photoshop effect. Good advice. Thanks.
Thanks so much!
Awesome .. thanks very very very much !!
A very nice post, with some very good tips. I've found video podcasts to be an awesome tool to help learn the tricks of the trade!
Really love what you do Fabio, great tuts and works!
Thanks again,
then,there is a effect used py photographer than i really like ''Tone Mapping'' I dig this effect I would like to ask you (or someone else)if you know how to make this on photoshop.
keep it up!
Great post, I think I find the right way to improve my PS skills now, thank you!!
I always saw the video of lynda.com before. But I found it make me to improve the skill so slow. It just teach how to use the software often, so now I am proficient in use photoshop, but my design skill still not improve very fast. I think recreate and often do something is very important, right? :)
this is such a great post!
i share your opinion about learning by recreating & doing tutorials, but i am most often too lazy to do anything. i really hate it. hopefully the boredom after my graduation will force me to learn more!
Thank u so much for these great tips,u've been a great helper for all of us :)
and of course lets not forget http://www.vladstudio.com/ his tutorials definitely take ur photoshop's skills to the next level.
That's definitely a good bundle of tuts just good to improve anyone's PS skills.
Many will appreciate it, including me.
Great. Just great. A million of billion of thanks for sharing.
I watched video and I like at the end of the video that is very nice conversation.
Hello abduzeedo such, I would put into practice all the tips that das
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Hi Damm good article.Something diff.really loved it.You are really making a good contribution.
Thanks.
What about the guy that speak in the video? Is he dying or something?
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