Photoshop is without a doubt one of the most powerful photo editing tools that beginners and professionals across need in order to create high quality images that look stunning. And even if you are not a professional photographer, learning to use Photoshop tools will enhance every photo and bring out new options whether it is for business, trade sites or personal projects. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most important Photoshop hacks as well as a few advanced photo editing techniques, including eCommerce photo editing services to get perfect results every time.
Photoshop Hacks:
The fundamentals of layers and mask
Now before you run off trying to make changes I suggest you take a moment to understand the two basic functions of Photoshop in which all edits build on top of, that is Layers and Masks! These tools enable you to do non-destructive edits, or in other words, edit your picture without damaging the original file.
Layers
With layers, you can work on individual elements of an image without disturbing other parts. You can think of them like transparent sheets of paper one on top of the other. Every layer can be manipulated individually making your edits flexible and non-destructive.
In order to add a new layer click the “Layer” menu from the top bar, and select “New Layer.”
Masks
With masks, you can cover or uncover exact portions of your image. They function like layers and allow for adjustments to specific areas of your photo.
On a mask, use the Brush Tool to show or hide parts of that layer.
This means they are the backbone for editing in Photoshop efficiently, and you need to focus on these first.
You can also use the Adjustment Layers to make your images pop off the screen.
One of the most useful functionalities in Photoshop to enhance colors, brightness, and contrast in your images are Adjustment layers. These layers all influence or affect lower level layers as well but do not actually change the original layer, and hence provide much more room to adjust your changes.
Common Adjustment Layers:
Brightness / Contrast – It lets you more or less manipulate the general exposure and contrast of your image.
Hue/Saturation — Great for adjusting colors in your photo. Alter the hue, saturation, or lightness of particular colors.
Levels – This is what you use to brighten or darken up your picture and balance it out.
Curves– A bit more advanced than Levels, Curves allow for more precise control of the tonal range in your photo.
Adjustment layers also play a significant role, helping you balance and enhance your images for optimal results.
With the use of these adjustment layers we are nondestructively editing, so you can always play around with different values.
Retouching Portraits: The clone stamp tool and healing brush
Portrait photo retouching is one of Photoshop’s most common uses. Photoshop makes it simple to work on blemishes or for skin smoothing.
Clone Stamp Tool
