LESSON 2 (BASIC PHOTOSHOP LESSON) Workspace and Interface

Graphics and Visual Computing

Adobe Photoshop

A powerful and widely used photo-editing

software.

Developed by American brothers Thomas and

John Knoll in 1987, it has become an industry
standard for graphic design, photography, and
digital art.

Workspace and Interface

Key Aspects of Photoshop
o When you open Photoshop, you’ll see the
Raster Graphics Software welcome screen.
Photoshop primarily deals with raster graphics, o The left side displays tools, while the right
which are composed of pixels (tiny dots). side shows the layer panel and color panel.
o The central area is the canvas where you
• Raster graphics are used for editing work on your images.
photographs, creating digital paintings, and o You can customize your workspace by
designing web graphics. creating new ones or using predefined
options (e.g., 3D, Graphics and Web,
Key Features Motion).
1. Image Editing: Photoshop provides tools
for cropping, resizing, retouching, and Common Photoshop Tools
enhancing images. o Selection Tools: Move, Lasso, Quick
2. Layers: Users can work with multiple Selection.
layers, allowing non-destructive editing and o Crop and Slice Tools: Crop images or
complex compositions. create image slices.
3. Selection Tools: These tools help isolate o Measuring Tools: Eyedropper (sample
specific parts of an image for editing. colors), Ruler (measure distances).
4. Retouching Tools: Features like the Spot o Retouching Tools: Spot Healing Brush,
Healing Brush and Clone Stamp remove Clone Stamp, Eraser, Blur, Dodge (for
imperfections. highlights).
5. Color Correction: Adjust brightness,
contrast, saturation, and color balance. Applications
6. Filters and Effects: Apply artistic filters, blur
o Designers: Create logos, web graphics,
effects, and transformations.
and UI elements.
7. Text and Typography: Add text layers with
o Photographers: Enhance and retouch
various fonts and styles.
photos.
o 3D Game Developers: Design characters
Raster Graphics Software and scenes.
o Photoshop primarily deals with raster o Digital Artists: Paint, composite, and
graphics, which are composed of pixels manipulate images.
(tiny dots).

o Raster graphics are used for editing

photographs, creating digital paintings, and
designing web graphics.
Understanding the Photoshop Interface Basic Image Editing Techniques

1. Document Window 1.Import Images and Get Started:

o The central area where your image is
displayed. It’s also where you edit the i. Open Photoshop and import your image
image. using the File > Open command.
o The visible part of the image is called the ii. Ensure your photo isn’t crooked. Use the
canvas, while the dark area around it is the Straightening tool to level it out if needed.
pasteboard.
o The document tab at the top shows the 2.Crop Your Image:
image name, file type, and current zoom i. Use the Crop tool to remove distracting
level. It’s also used to switch between elements or adjust the composition.
multiple open documents. ii. Make sure to turn off “Delete Cropped
Pixels” so you can adjust the crop later.
2. Toolbar
o The Toolbar (also known as the Tools 3.Work with Layers:
panel) resides on the left side of the i. Layers are like translucent sheets you stack
interface. to create your image.
o It houses various tools for tasks like ii. Duplicate your image (go to Image >
making selections, retouching images, Duplicate) to create multiple copies.
painting, adding shapes, and working with iii. Each duplicate serves as the basis for an
type. individual layer.
o The toolbar can be expanded into a double iv. Use layers for ultimate flexibility and
column by clicking the double arrows at the nondestructive edits.
top.
4.Layer Masks:
3. Hidden Tools i. Layer masks allow you to control what’s
o Each tool in the toolbar is represented by visible on a layer.
an icon. ii. Create a layer mask to hide or reveal
o Some icons have a small arrow in the specific areas of your layers.
bottom right corner, indicating that iii. For example, combine two images
additional tools are hidden behind them. seamlessly by masking your subject and
o To reveal these hidden tools, click and hold placing it over a different background.
on the icon or right-click (Win) / Control-click
(Mac) to access a fly-out menu. 5.Targeted Edits:
i. Separate elements into different layers to
4. Menu Bar focus on specific components.
o The Menu Bar at the top of the interface ii. Use fast selection tools to grab an area and
contains various options and commands create a layer mask.
related to files, editing, selections, layers, iii. Adjust specific parts without affecting the
and more. entire image.

5. Panels 6.Transformations:
o The panel area along the right side provides i. Use painting tools and color adjustments to
access to various panels that enhance your transform your image.
workflow. ii. Explore features like brightness/contrast,
o Panels include Layers, Channels, History, hue/saturation, and levels.
and more. You can customize which panels
are visible.