Adobe Photoshop CC for teams

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Get Started with Adobe Photoshop

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The Toolbox

Now that you've learned your way around the Photoshop interface a little bit, we're going to jump right in and start teaching you how to use the program. Although some parts may be easy to gloss over, everything you learn from here on out will be crucial to being able to adequately use Photoshop CS6.

The Photoshop Toolbox is located on the left side of the workspace. Every tool in the Toolbox allows you to edit, paint, view, or alter images or documents open in the workspace.

Each tool in the toolbox is represented by an icon. Beside each icon is a downward arrow. By right clicking a downward arrow, you can see variations of the tool that basically have the same purpose, but perform slightly different functions. For example, there is a Rectangular Marquee Tool. An Elliptical Marquee tool is grouped with it and is accessible by right clicking the downward arrow. Even though they are both marquee tools, one produces a rectangular marquee and the other an elliptical. These different tools are grouped together in the Toolbox.

Learning all the tools in the Toolbox can seem like an overwhelming task because there are so many. For that reason, Photoshop broke up the tools into different sections to make it easier to get a basic idea of which tools perform what functions, as well as to make them easier to find.

In the first section (at the top), you'll see all of the selection tools. These are tools that you'll be able to use to select areas of an image. The selection tools are pictured below.

Below the selection tools, you have all of the paint tools. The paint tools allow you to paint, change the colors in an area of an image, or even erase colors all together.

The paint tools are pictured below.

Next, are all of the path, shape, and text tools. You will use these to add shapes, text, and determine paths.

Lastly, the bottom section of the toolbox contains the different view tools that allow you to view your image, as well as the background/foreground color tool.

For the time being, it's just important that you become familiar with the toolbox and the different sections it contains.

The Options Bar

The Options Bar is located in the upper left hand corner of the workspace below the Menu Bar and above the Toolbox. It contains preferences and settings for the different tools. For example, if we select the Text tool, the Option Bar would contain options and preferences available for the Text tool. See the snapshot below.

Exploring Panels and Context Menus

You can edit or modify your work by using any of the several panels that Photoshop provides. All panels can be found by clicking Window in the Menu Bar. To make a panel appear in the workspace, simply place a checkmark next to it.

Whenever you select a panel to appear, it will be docked to the right side of your workspace where it is grouped with other panels. However, there may be times when it would be more efficient and convenient to have that panel closer to your image. For that reason, you can undock panels and place them elsewhere on the Photoshop screen.

Let's show you what we mean.

In the snapshot below, the Color and Swatches panels are docked together.

Let's say that we want to undock the Color panel and move it onto our workspace. To do, we are going to click our mouse on the Color tab and then drag it to the area on the workspace where we want to place it. In other words, drag and drop.

The snapshot below shows us dragging the panel. Notice where our mouse pointer is located as we drag.

Now, place the panel where you want it in the workspace and release the mouse button.

When we want to dock the Color panel again, we simply drag it back to the docked panels until the Color tab is over the active panel (the Swatches tab), then release the mouse button.

Context Menus

Context menus are different than the menus located in the Menu Bar. Context menus show commands that are relevant to the tool, panel, or selection that you're currently working with.

To view a context menu, right click on the image whenever you are using the tool, selection, or panel to apply changes or modifications to an image.

For example, in the snapshot below, we were using the Eyedropper tool (from the Toolbox) and right clicked. The Context menu appears.

The Context Menu gives you more options for whatever feature or tool you're using.

Customizing the Workspace

Photoshop CS6 gives you several options that allow you to customize the workspace. We've already learned how to close and collapse panels, as well as how to create floating (or undocked) panels.

In addition, you can change the document view.

Go to View> Screen Mode and select the option you want. You can choose from:

Standard Screen Mode shows the panels, Toolbox, Menu bar, and everything you see in the default view in Photoshop. You can also still access other open programs and documents on your computer or to your computer's start menu.

Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar simply means that Photoshop takes over your entire screen, as shown below:

If you select Full Screen Mode , Photoshop displays this message:

It lets you know that panels will be hidden. To access them, press Tab.

To return to Standard Screen Mode, press "F" or Escape.

Let's click Full Screen.

You can also change screen modes by going to the bottom of the Toolbox and clicking the Change Screen Mode tool . Right click on the tool to select Full Screen Mode or Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar.

Setting General Preferences

The preferences that you choose will determine a variety of settings within the program and will also affect the way Photoshop operates. That said, the best way to show you the preferences that you can set is to go ahead and show you how to set them.

To edit or set general preferences, go to Edit>Preferences>General. The dialogue box pictured below will appear.

What's the Best Photoshop Version? (2022 Software Review)

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A common problem for serious photographers is knowing which Photoshop version is right for them. There’s quite a few versions out there, and knowing which is the best one for you isn’t always easy.

We’re going to look at the various options on offer and guide you through their features. We’ll consider Photoshop Elements, Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom CC.

First of all, it’s important for you to find out what type of photographer you are. Then you can decide what features you need. Then you can choose the Photoshop version that’s perfect for you.

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What Kind of Photographer Are You?

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To find out which of the Photoshop versions is right for you, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

Am I a hobby photographer or an aspiring professional? Do I have time to learn a difficult and extensive software program? How much money am I willing to spend?

Do I want to add graphic design to my photography or heavily manipulate my photos?

Each version of Photoshop or Lightroom has different possibilities. They are developed for different kinds of photographers.

Make sure you know what you want to do with your photography and editing. Then, start thinking about downloading any of these Lightroom or Photoshop versions.

Which of the Photoshop Versions Is Best for You?

So, you know what you want to do with your photography? Here are different options:

1. Adobe Photoshop Elements

Let’s start with the most basic and simple version of Photoshop but don’t be fooled by the name.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is developed for both beginner and advanced photographers.

It allows you to edit your photos easily. Besides that, it also offers more advanced Photoshop tools.

The Best Photoshop Version for Beginners

A great feature for beginners is the Guided Edits mode. Guided Edits provide step-by-step instructions for the most common edits. They include Rotate and Straighten, Replace Background, and Photomerge Panorama. But also several color corrections, and a lot more.

Photoshop Elements also has Quick Edit. This mode features the most commonly used tools, such as red-eye removal, crop, add text, or apply frames.

On top of that, you can apply Smart Fix, filters, exposure or color adjustments, or sharpen your image.

These features definitely make Photoshop Elements the best version for beginner photographers. You can explore the possibilities without reading difficult books and manuals.

It’s also a good starting point if you want to step up to Photoshop CC later.

Expert Mode

Advanced photographers don’t have to worry, though. The Expert mode looks very similar to Photoshop. You can use layers, masks, paint brushes, healing brushes, and a lot of other advanced editing tools.

There’s one important difference between Photoshop CC and Elements. Photoshop Elements has far fewer features and functions than Photoshop CC. Also, the tools that are included have less options and functions.

For example, the Camera RAW editing module is pretty basic. It lacks lens corrections and tone-curve editing.

For most beginner and advanced hobby photographers, Photoshop Elements is a perfect choice.

2. Adobe Photoshop CC

If you want more control over your photo editing, then you need Photoshop CC. It’s the most extensive and advanced photo editing software. Photoshop CC is not developed for photographers only.

All kinds of digital artists use it. You can edit your photos and heavily manipulate them. You can also explore illustration and graphic design.

Photoshop CC allows you to work with 3D objects and a professional color management system. It also supports CMYK images and Photoshop Elements does not.

Definitely something to consider if you want to print artwork and not just photos.

The downside is that Photoshop CC has a steep learning curve. As a beginner, you won’t know where to start because there are so many tools and functions.

If you want to use Photoshop CC and not one of the other Photoshop versions, you need to know at least the basics of photo editing.

I suggest only using Photoshop CC if you’re willing to enroll in a course. Besides that, you also need to read a lot about photo editing.

3. Lightroom Classic

You don’t want to explore illustration and graphic design but still need professional photo editing software? Then Lightroom Classic might be perfect for you.

It has everything an advanced or professional photographer needs. The only thing you can’t do is heavily manipulate photos.

Lightroom Classic is basically the equivalent of a darkroom. It allows you to edit exposure , focus, color, tone, and overall composition. All edits are nondestructive which means you’ll keep the original image data at all times.

Lightroom also applies all its edits to a RAW file before a photo is converted. This results in better and more precise image quality.

Lightroom Classic is developed with only photographers is mind. You can use masks and brushes to edit only certain areas of your photo. It also includes modules for creating a photo book, a slideshow, and a web gallery. The print module can create contact sheets and custom picture packages.

Lightroom Classic has everything a photographer needs. It’s the best pick if you want to edit photos professionally with great results.

4. Lightroom CC

Lightroom CC is more streamlined and less comprehensive than Lightroom Classic. The advantage of this version is that you can access its editing tools from almost any device.

Use it with Android and iOS phones and tablets.

Photoshop or Lightroom?

It’s a question that pops up a lot of times when talking about different Photoshop versions. I think there’s a very simple answer, though.

Use Photoshop if you want to do more than just editing photos. This includes illustration, 3D objects, and heavy photo manipulation. Photoshop is developed with digital artists in mind and not just photographers.

It has a very steep learning curve because of that. On top of that, most photographers won’t even use 90% of its possibilities.

Pick Lightroom if you’re a photographer and want the best photo editing software out there. It doesn’t have all the unnecessary functions photographers won’t use anyway.

If you’re looking for a digital darkroom, go for Lightroom. Most professional photographers use Lightroom so you can’t go wrong with it.

Conclusion

There’s a perfect software for every kind of photographer. First, find out what kind of photographer you are and what the purpose of your photography is.

Most beginners will do fine with Photoshop Elements. Advanced and aspiring professionals should pick Lightroom.

Only go for Photoshop CC if you want to explore all the possibilities in the world of digital art. It will offer you the most advanced editing experience but it comes with a price.

You have to be willing to tackle the steep learning curve and read a lot of tutorials. The possibilities are endless.