6 Places to Learn Photoshop for Free (or Almost Free!)

Adobe Photoshop is one of the most widely used software packages in the world. It’s hard to imagine the world without Photoshop, and its remarkable image editing tools have been used in everything from Hollywood blockbusters to Internet memes.

Image via stipan93

As powerful as Photoshop is, it can be a little intimidating. Adobe has done a great job of making the software more accessible to newcomers, but it’s still a complex program. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a professional graphic designer or digital marketing expert to learn how to use Photoshop.

To learn Photoshop, use these six free resources to begin your journey to Photoshop mastery, brush up on the fundamentals – pun most definitely intended – and even learn advanced image manipulation techniques for free (or very cheaply). These free/cheap Photoshop tutorials include:

Adobe Tuts+ Photoshop Cafe Lynda Digital Tutors Udemy

Here’s a little more information on each Photoshop resource.

Free Resources for Learning How to Use Photoshop

1. Adobe’s Learning Resources and Tutorials

Nobody knows Photoshop better than Adobe, so your first port of call should be the excellent learning resources on the Adobe site.

Adobe splits its tutorials into varying categories based on skill level. Complete beginners should begin with the overview of what Photoshop can do, before moving onto the intermediate techniques section. Here, you’ll find short video tutorials on how to use a range of Photoshop’s most commonly used features, such as masking, color correction, cropping, vector and shape tools, and working with layers and levels.

Once you’ve gotten a taste of Photoshop’s broad tool set, you can move into project-based tutorials, which walk you through a complete project from start to finish.

BONUS: If you’re looking for a more immersive introduction to Photoshop, check out this free 13-hour introductory course that will cover everything you need to know to get started.

2. Tuts+

Next on our list of places you can learn how to use Photoshop for free is the Tuts+ network of learning sites.

Although the Tuts+ network does offer premium content for a price, its selection of free tutorials is extensive. Rather than focusing on lengthier, project-based tutorials, Tuts+ tends to offer shorter, bite-sized lessons on specific techniques.

In addition to its content on topics such as brushes, color correction, and typography, Tuts+ also offers several tutorials on the fundamentals of digital imaging, such as image file types and compression – very useful information for the Photoshop novice.

3. Photoshop Cafe

Photoshop Cafe is another excellent resource of free tutorials. Although they push their product range pretty hard throughout the site, there are still plenty of freebies you can take advantage of.

Although some of the tutorials on Photoshop Café are similar to those offered by other sites, the language used is simple enough for beginners to dive right in. Photoshop Café also offers visual guides to potentially complex topics such as alpha channels and automating common tasks using actions.

Paid Resources for Learning Photoshop

4.

The video tutorials offered by are among the best I’ve ever used, and are ideal for users who want to take their Photoshop learning seriously.

videos are hosted by some of the world’s leading digital artists, and cover an amazingly diverse selection of topics. As you’d expect from one of the best training sites on the web, offers a wide variety of in-depth, project-based tutorials, making it the ideal place for intermediate users to take their skills to the next level.

The site also offers a range of subscription options, the cheapest of which is just $25 per month. You can also choose to pay more for access to features such as project files and offline viewing.

5. Digital Tutors

If you’re ready to master some of Photoshop’s most advanced tools and techniques, Digital Tutors is unbeatable.

Aimed primarily at those seeking to launch careers in the entertainment industry, Digital Tutors offers an incredible range of tutorials on how to get the most out of Photoshop. From digital painting to concept art, the variety of topics covered is remarkable.

Digital Tutors also specializes in tutorials covering how Photoshop can serve as just one tool in a wider creative workflow. Many of the site’s videos demonstrate how Photoshop can be used alongside software packages such as After Effects, providing an in-depth look at how versatile – and indispensable – Photoshop can be to creative professionals.

Subscriptions start at $29 per month (which includes access to the entire Digital Tutors catalog of more than 2,000 courses), as well as progress tracking and new training videos added daily.

6. Udemy

Udemy has a range of online classes for Photoshop, but the most popular is Manfred Werner’s course.

Totaling 33 hours spread out across 153 individual lectures, this is one of the most comprehensive Photoshop courses you can take pretty much anywhere. Once you’ve paid to take this course (which costs just $19), you’ll have access to it for life, making it an excellent reference resource.

Well, that pretty much does it for this round-up of Photoshop resources. Whether you’re a seasoned Photoshop pro or are just starting out using this amazing software package, hopefully you’ll pick up a few tips and tricks from one of these resources.

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If you want to learn how to digitally manipulate images or improve the quality of your photos, learning Adobe Photoshop is essential. Understanding this image editing tool is best done through Photoshop classes.

You will need a copy of Photoshop to follow along with these classes. However, Adobe offers a seven-day free trial you can use to get started. After that, it's around $21 a month for the basic Photoshop package with 100GB of cloud storage. Cost varies depending on additional app access and cloud storage space.

Alternatively, many of these courses will work with older versions of Photoshop if you have them, but be aware that the interface can differ depending on which version you're using.

How Can I Learn Photoshop at Home?

How Can I Learn Photoshop at Home?

If you’re interested in learning Photoshop, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, try watching some online tutorials.

There are plenty of websites that offer free tutorials, like YouTube and CreativeLive. Once you have a basic understanding of the program, try practicing with some personal photos. Experiment with different tools and filters to see what kinds of effects you can create.

If you want to learn more advanced techniques, consider taking an online course or class. There are many reputable sites that offer comprehensive Photoshop courses taught by experienced instructors. Or, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, try attending a workshop or seminar in your area.

No matter what method you choose, practice makes perfect. The more you work with Photoshop, the better you’ll become at using it. So keep at it and pretty soon you’ll be a pro!

How Can I Learn Photoshop at Home?

There are several ways you can learn Photoshop from home. One way is to watch free online tutorials from websites like YouTube and CreativeLive.

PRO TIP: If you are planning on learning Photoshop at home, there are a few things you should be aware of. First, Photoshop is a complex program and can be difficult to learn on your own. There are a number of excellent books and online tutorials available, but you will likely get the most benefit from taking a class or workshop from a qualified instructor. Secondly, while Photoshop is an industry standard program, it is not the only photo editing software available. If you are only interested in learning Photoshop in order to edit your photos, you may want to consider other options such as Lightroom or GIMP.

Another way is to practice with personal photos, experimenting with different features and filters to see what kinds of effects can be achieved.

For more advanced training, consider taking an online course or class from a reputable website. Or, for a more hands-on approach, try attending a workshop or seminar in your area.