Photoshop lessons for beginners - step-by-step course. How to use the basic features of Adobe Photoshop

Yes. This video course can be viewed both on Windows and OS X (Mac OS), as well as on any other systems that have a web browser and support for the MP4 video format.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the course?

After payment, you will have access to the online platform where you can watch this training material and ask any questions you have in the comments under the lesson.

Do I need to activate the course before watching?

The course works immediately. You don't need any keys or activation codes. You can watch the course on as many computers as you like.

Is there a disk version of the course?

We have abandoned disks in favor of flash drives; you can order the course on a flash drive with delivery by mail.

Can I place an order today and pay later?

Yes, it's possible. Just start placing your order, after the cart you will see a link “Save order to personal account, I'll pay for it later." Watch video instructions:

Where to download and how to install Photoshop?

What is the difference between “Photoshop for Dummies, 57 Practical Lessons” and “Photoshop from Scratch in Video Format 3.0”?

In the course “Photoshop for Dummies, 57 Practical Lessons” there is no detailed description tools and commands Adobe programs Photoshop. Here are presented only practical lessons in various areas: restoration and retouching of photographs, creating collages and photo design, drawing, design, creating textures and text effects.

What version of Photoshop are the course lessons recorded in?

Some of the lessons are recorded using CS6, and most are in versions SS 2014, SS 2015.

I'm not from Russia, can I buy the course?

Yes, sure. Available methods payments for you: Visa/MasterCard/Maestro cards, Yandex.Money, RBK Money, WebMoney, QIWI, Money transfers, Paypal. After payment, you will receive a letter with a link to download the course to your computer, but if you selected delivery on a flash drive during registration, then in addition to this letter we will send you the course on a flash drive by airmail.

I didn't find the answer to my question. What should I do?

Contact our online consultant. The online consultant button is located in the lower right corner of the page. Or you can write to our support team at:

Adobe is known to all users who have even a vague understanding of working with images and photographs. This is due to the fact that this company is the creator of the legendary Photoshop programs. Today this application is the de facto standard in the world professional designers and artists.

The capabilities of the person who works in it are limited only by his own skill. However, not all users are real luminaries: how to work in Photoshop CS6? There are special video tutorials for beginners, but not everyone has time to watch them. Well, let's try to shed some light on this issue.

Let us immediately warn you that it is simply impossible to squeeze into this article even a couple of percent of the amount of information that would be appropriate in this case. Therefore, we will limit ourselves to only the most superficial introduction to the topic and will reveal the basic concepts that will be useful to you when mastering the Photoshop CS6 program.

Layers

Layer is the main constant you'll have to deal with. By the way, what is this? In this case, a layer is understood as a separate image that has its own boundaries, clearly delineated from other parts of the picture.

Why are such layers needed? This is a very important question. The fact is that it is thanks to them that it is possible to carry out operations on almost every part of the image, without affecting the entire picture as a whole. In fact, an image in Photoshop can be represented as a giant mosaic, for each puzzle in which transparency, color, and other parameters are separately set.

Since it is impossible to work in Photoshop CS6 (for beginners the program may seem very complicated, but in reality everything is not so scary) without the mentioned tool, we recommend that you master the basics and consolidate the acquired knowledge in practice. Taking the first steps in this matter is very simple. To do this, open any image, go to the “Layer” tab, select “Create a new layer”.

Change something in the image. Then follow the above path again, creating a second layer. Also draw something on it. Then go to the same tab again, select the “Merge Layers” command. This is roughly how all the main work in the program is done.

As for the interface, “Photoshop CS6” in Russian appeared not so long ago. If you are looking for tips on working on the Internet, they often offer instructions on English. Keep this in mind!

"Hot keys", or Hotkeys

When using Photoshop regularly, it is very important to remember the most frequently used hotkey combinations. It’s almost impossible to keep all of them in your head all the time, but the most commonly used combinations are essential to know. The fact is that the combinations practically do not change in different versions of the program, so mastering the new release will take much less time.

So let's look at the most simple options. When you press CTRL+N, a new document opens. It is much easier to press a hotkey than to use the main menu with a mouse. In addition, it will be useful to use the CTRL+O combination, as it allows you to open a dialog box with a choice of files to open. The CTRL+K keys are useful, they open the main program settings. Surely many users know that the combination CTRL+Z cancels the last action. This works in Photoshop too.

Layer Keys

But in this program, working with layers is much more important, so you should remember at least some of the hotkeys associated with this term. So, to create a new level, press SHIFT+CTRL+N. After this, a dialog box with the settings of the newly created layer will immediately open. The F7 button is also important, as it opens the palette settings. To quickly move up a layer, press ALT+]. To move one layer down, use SHIFT+ALT+].

If you want to go to the lowest level, then you need to use the combination SHIFT+ALT+ [. If you need to set the current layer as the main one, press SHIFT+CTRL+]. Merging layers (which we talked about at the very beginning) is carried out using the CTRL + E buttons. As you can see, hotkeys are extremely important because they save a lot of time.

Using hotkeys when working with filters

Working with filters is quite complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, using hotkeys in this process is also important. Moreover, there are not so many basic combinations. So, if you want to repeat the last used filter with its default settings, press CTRL+F. If you need the same filter, but with open settings, use the keys CTRL+ALT+F.

Not sure how to reset all dialog box settings? Just press ALT together with the ESC key. The beauty of this combination is that it works in exactly the same way across all settings dialogs.

Choosing brushes!

None of the masters or novice users of Photoshop can fully work without the most common Brush tool. Today we will try to choose it for work, having learned about ways to adjust the parameters. Using one or another option, you can create a shape that is ideal for your work, dynamically change the size, select dispersion, texture, as well as the degree of pressure and transparency.

First you need to activate the “Brushes” tool for “Photoshop CS6” by pressing the “B” key. Click on the icon we need, where you can adjust all the parameters. You need to press the F5 key on your keyboard or use the “Window” menu, where you can go to the “Brushes” item. It must be said that the menu has enough settings, the main ones of which we will consider.

Before you choose suitable tool, you need to select the shape of its print. It all depends on the type of work you do. The same can be said about the diameter. There are a lot of options! However, when training, it is recommended to choose simple shapes brush and the average diameter of its print. It should be noted that you can quickly change the last parameter using the “[” (decrease the diameter) or “]” (increase it) keys.

Using the slider called “Hardness” you can adjust the center of rigidity of the tool. To put it simply, with the selected indicator “0” you will get a soft brush. The “Opacity” tab, as you might guess from the name, helps you set a parameter that is often used when retouching photos.

What else should you pay attention to before working in Photoshop CS6? For beginners, it would be a good idea to look at the work of experienced artists and photographers: you can clearly see how and under what conditions it is best to use basic techniques, such as retouching or aging a photograph.

Often, when choosing a brush, its color plays an important role. There is a button on the toolbar (at the very bottom) that allows you to adjust this parameter. It should be noted that when selecting, the active color is the one in which the top square is painted.

Other principles for choosing a brush

However, the choice of brush for Photoshop CS6 is not limited to these parameters. For example, quite often there is a need to change the angle of inclination, which is achieved by adjusting the settings in the dialog box of the same name (if you remember, it is called up by pressing the F5 key). Here you can increase the size of the tool and also change its inclination.

It should be noted that when choosing brushes unusual shape(butterfly, star, leaves) it is necessary to set a sufficient interval, since otherwise the image may turn into a graphic “porridge”. Experimenting with various parameters, over time you will learn to set the optimal ones for each type of work, using hundreds of parameters available in the program.

Naturally, you won’t be able to master Photoshop right away, in one sitting. Program in Russian - best option for beginners, since you can always read help by pressing F1.

Plugins

Plugins (also called plug-ins) are additional filters that plug into Photoshop. However, this can also be called some additional software modules, expanding the functionality of the application. At their core, plugins for Photoshop CS6 are small additional programs, running inside the main software package.

In Photoshop, they are most often used for advanced imitation of drawing methods; they are often used to reduce noise and improve sharpness; with their help, you can automatically set the focus on some object located in the photograph.

Plugins are most often developed only for a specific Photoshop version, which often creates a lot of difficulties when migrating to a new release. However, they are very good in that each user will be able to create a unique set of tools suitable specifically for their purposes. In general, Photoshop CS6 is the most suitable for beginners suitable option, as it is more visual and contains more tools by default.

Thus, it is better to focus on the “advanced filters” option. They are also capable of changing the processed image, they can distort it or remove noise and adjust the sharpness correctly.

To install the plugin, you need to download its file from the Internet and then move it to the “Photoshop/Plug-Ins” directory. However, some “serious” applications often have their own installation file. In this case, their installation is extremely simplified: you just need to start the process and follow the instructions. When the installation is complete, the new filters will appear in the program (you may need to restart it).

So, we looked at how to work in Photoshop CS6. For beginners, the information presented is still enough; you need to consolidate your knowledge in practice, and then comprehend all the intricacies of the process.

Some plugins for Photoshop

Let's take a closer look at the purpose of some “helpers” for Adobe Photoshop. For example, the very popular ICOFormat add-on is specially created for saving especially small images up to 200x200 px using the standard .ico extension.

Genuine Fractals Pro can enlarge an image without losing quality. The Blow Up and AKVIS Magnifier add-ons can be used for the same purpose.

The AKVIS Chameleon plugin is ideal for: It allows you to automatically adjust inserted fragments to the color of the main image. In addition, it somewhat blurs the sharp edges, making the collages more “alive.”

In conclusion...

It should be noted that plugins can be distributed not only separately, but also in the form of large thematic packages. Most processes can be significantly accelerated with their help. However, you need to remember that success in using plugins will only come to those who understand the principle of their operation and can do all these operations manually!

Here they are short lessons"Photoshop CS6". Master the program in practice, by trial and error - this is the best option.

I present to you excellent selection books on Photoshop CS5 and CS6, which will appeal to all Photoshop lovers. For you 6 best books from the most popular authors. All books are in color and good quality.

• The first book on Photoshop in our selection will be Official training course using Adobe Photoshop CS6. This course is designed for both beginners and experienced designers. Beginners who love Photoshop will be able to master all the basic tools of the program step by step in practice, while more experienced colleagues will learn how to get the most out of Photoshop. Thanks to simple description various methods work in the program, You can become good specialist on working with. Lessons from this educational material They cover everything from the simple basics of working with photographs to creating 3D images. The book is full of various tips and step by step instructions, which will help you assimilate the material as efficiently as possible.

• Next we have Adobe Photoshop CS6. Master class from Evgeniy Tuchkevich. This is a very beautifully designed and well-made book based on educational methods for teaching professional designers that are distinguished by their effectiveness. For beginners learning Photoshop, this book will also be useful, as it begins with a simple examination of all the tools of the graphic editor and photo processing techniques. In practice you will gain high-quality knowledge on methods of creating collages, learn how to restore old photographs, as well as do retouching. In addition to working with raster images, techniques for working with vectors will also be discussed.

• It will be quite useful for beginners to learn the basics of design. A clear tutorial on Photoshop CS6 from Vladislav Dunaev. After reading the book, you will quickly master the basic techniques of working in latest version the best graphics editor Adobe Photoshop CS6. The most accessible necessary tools and functions, thanks to which you can easily perform any operation - from creating and processing an image to outputting it to a printing device.

• For those who have Photoshop CS5 installed, it will be more convenient to gain knowledge from a book on Basics of working in Adobe Photoshop CS5 from Molochkov, as well as from the course CS5 in examples from Karchevsky. Both options are good, where basic information about the basics of working with Photoshop is presented in a simple and accessible way. The reader will have access to large number practical examples and exercises that tell you everything a designer or photographer needs to know when solving any problems. Both books contain a lot of color illustrations.

• Well, in conclusion, an excellent book, which is a classic in this genre - Scott Kelby. Adobe Photoshop CS6. Guide to Digital Photography. This book will tell you about using Photoshop in digital photography. In the book the author devotes great value digital image processing processes. It will be interesting not only to professional photographers, but also to many fans of digital photography. A detailed description and clear explanations will help you find out what parameters of the tools need to be set in this or that case during the work process. The book is filled with advice from the best experts in the Photoshop editor. A lot of valuable tips will allow you to save a lot of time when processing photos. In general, for those who are interested digital photography, this book will be a real treasure.

Yes. This video course can be viewed both on Windows and OS X (Mac OS), as well as on any other systems that have a web browser and support for the MP4 video format.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the course?

After payment, you will have access to the online platform where you can watch this training material and ask any questions you have in the comments under the lesson.

Do I need to activate the course before watching?

The course works immediately. You don't need any keys or activation codes. You can watch the course on as many computers as you like.

Is there a disk version of the course?

We have abandoned disks in favor of flash drives; you can order the course on a flash drive with delivery by mail.

Can I place an order today and pay later?

Yes, it's possible. Just start placing your order, after the cart you will see a link “Save the order in your personal account, I will pay for it later.” Watch video instructions:

Where to download and how to install Photoshop?

What is the difference between “Photoshop for Dummies, 57 Practical Lessons” and “Photoshop from Scratch in Video Format 3.0”?

The course “Photoshop for Dummies, 57 Practical Lessons” does not contain a detailed description of the tools and commands of the Adobe Photoshop program. Here are presented only practical lessons in various areas: restoration and retouching of photographs, creating collages and photo design, drawing, design, creating textures and text effects.

What version of Photoshop are the course lessons recorded in?

Some of the lessons are recorded using CS6, and most are in versions SS 2014, SS 2015.

I'm not from Russia, can I buy the course?

Yes, sure. Available payment methods for you: Visa/MasterCard/Maestro cards, Yandex.Money, RBK Money, WebMoney, QIWI, Money transfers, Paypal. After payment, you will receive a letter with a link to download the course to your computer, but if you selected delivery on a flash drive during registration, then in addition to this letter we will send you the course on a flash drive by airmail.

I didn't find the answer to my question. What should I do?

Contact our online consultant. The online consultant button is located in the lower right corner of the page. Or you can write to our support team at:

Computer scientists strive to invent many programs. In turn, PC users keep up with new products and try to study them. One of the most popular and famous inventions is Adobe Photoshop. A powerful graphics editor allows you to create a wide variety of images. But to work with such a program, you must know all the possibilities and be able to use them.

Where is Photoshop used?

Many users ask the question: “where to start learning Photoshop?” This is an excellent program that allows you to turn your fantasy into reality. For example, on Adobe Photoshop CS6 you can perform the following manipulations:

In the editor you can create comics, layouts, collages, drawing, retouching, make comics and infographics, optimize images and convert formats. Now it becomes clear why Photoshop is needed.

Basic Tools

How to learn Photoshop on your own and where to start? The answer is simple: with basic tools. The installed Photoshop is initially launched. After the program opens, you should pay attention to the upper horizontal and lateral vertical. The toolbar is located here. They need to be studied first. Just hover your mouse over the icon and a hint will pop up.

To bring a tool, for example: a brush, into an active state, it is recommended to left-click on the icon. With the selected instrument the horizontal panel will change, and many possibilities will appear specifically for the brush - pressure, transparency, color and much more. Specialists involved in professional photo editing already know the settings for a certain manipulation, for example: retouching.

At the very bottom of the screen there is an additional set of tools, so you need to pay attention to the triangle located there. When pressed right click mouse, auxiliary options will open.

The Photoshop CS6 menu is an integral element, without which it is impossible to perform photo manipulation. Initially you need to click on the menu and open the file. It contains a list of images that are subject to processing. After the work is done, do not forget about saving. The function is also in the menu.

All other options are for photo editing. They start after "file" and end with "help".

The first steps of photo manipulation

The program is mastered only with the help of the selected image. Everything is done simply - you need to go to the menu and click on “file”. Then a list of pictures will open and all you have to do is select the photo you like. You should start working after adding the print to the Photoshop editing window.

WITH right side from photography a small window with tabs is formed And. With each new action, for example: blending mode, it is recommended to create new layers. Don't edit just the original photo.

You won’t be able to perform the manipulation right away, because the picture is blocked by default in the program and is in the background. To remove the lock and make a “layer” from a photo, it is recommended to double-click on the “background”, which is located on the right side of the window - the “layers” tab. After which, the photo will become active and you can start working.

What are layers for?

In Adobe Photoshop CS6, it is not possible to edit photos without using layers. The created duplicate layer will serve as a backup version of the image. All Photoshoppers encounter unsuccessful actions with an image, so it is very easy to make a repeating image without harming the source.

Layers help with applying new effects. For example, an inscription is made on a wedding photo and doves are created in translucent form. To perform a similar manipulation is done a new layer that is placed on top of the main image. Then two options will follow: the doves can be drawn using a brush or selected from a photo file and pasted onto a new layer.

Layers can be given a translucent or transparent tone. Just move the slider and set the transparency to 50%. Thus, the same pigeons will not be flashy. After inserting a translucent picture, you should add more detail, for example, make chiaroscuro and draw feathers with a brush.

The difference between Photoshop CS6 and all versions of Adobe Photoshop

You can give the drawing the desired effect and color only through the horizontal tools and the tab with layers, which you should right-click on, after which “properties” will appear. All Adobe Photoshop programs are practically no different from each other, and for a beginner, in fact, there is no difference which one to use.

For example, Photoshop 5 or CS6 are almost identical. For this reason, any version is suitable for a person who is not knowledgeable about a photo editor. For example, the filter gallery and color mode are the same, these are standard features. New generations of programs may have additions, but they will be minor.

Is Photoshop difficult to learn?

Often, many beginners are interested in: is it difficult to master the program? There is no exact answer to this question. It all depends on intelligence. Adobe Photoshop is a tool, like any other equipment, for example : « washing machine» requires mastering. Therefore, the mechanism must be studied to understand all the possibilities. After some time, a beginner will become an expert if he begins to understand the essence of Photoshop. But there is one rule - you need to train from light to hard. For example, you need a photo:

First, you should experiment with such simple functions, and then learn to outline an image, create chiaroscuro, make collages and create truly unique drawings. With the help graphics tablet can draw prints from scratch. In order to fully master the program, you will need to spend a lot of time and be really diligent.

Important! The 64-bit version of Photoshop is more powerful, especially RAM. You should know that Photoshop CS6 and CC are installed exclusively on x64 Mac O.S.

Example of photo processing

It is important to understand how to work with photographs in Photoshop, so you need to study an example of image processing. It is not always possible to find a certain ideal picture in which you can implement the intended manipulation. For example, you want to take a night landscape, but many of the photos have already been edited or are too dark. There is always a way out. Using Photoshop, you can easily transform a daytime landscape into a nighttime one.

Step-by-step process for turning a daytime photo into a nighttime one:

Stars

To give the sky greater effect, stars should be made.

Process:

1. A new one is created on top of all layers. It is filled with black and the paint fill tool is applied. Then the “noise” function is added, which is located in the “filter” menu. Black and white noise is increased (Amount).
2. In the filter gallery, select “linocut sketch”. To get the desired effect, you need to play with the settings.
3. For correct location stars using the “move” tool.
4. On the layer with stars you need to adjust the blending mode (Blending Options).
5. Next, a mask is added for the same layer. The gradient color is black and white. The bottom is made invisible and, by adjusting, the opacity is increased to a certain extent.

Illumination of objects

Photoshop CS6

For the best photo effect, it is advisable to make the windows backlit.

Process:

1. Using the straight lasso tool, select windows. To make multiple selections without clearing previous selections, it is recommended to hold down the Shift key.
2. Next, duplicate the selected objects and place the copy on top of the layers.
3. Then select blending modes (Blending Options). Check the box for Color Overlay. The object should take on a light orange tint.
4. To improve the effect, it is recommended to scroll through the color overlay items in the menu and select Hue.
5. Opposite (Outer Glow) check the box - this is an external glow.
6. You can play with the blending points again and choose the appropriate shade.

Secondary Light Sources

It is necessary to reflect the incident light from the windows onto the ground and walls.

Process:

1. You need to select the “brush” and set the opacity to 20%. A new layer is created.
2. Next, select the window color using the eyedropper tool.
3. Using a brush, shades are outlined on the ground and walls. The light should be diffused.
4. The saturation is adjusted using the layer opacity.

In order to correctly distribute light and shade, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with their reflexes. You need to understand how light glides across a particular object. Metal is smooth, but wood is rough. This greatly influences the creation of high-quality realistic images.