Getting Started with Adobe Photoshop

Master the fundamental interface and core tools of Adobe Photoshop with this essential guide for new creative users.

1. Create a new document. Launch Photoshop and select New File from the home screen. Choose a preset resolution based on your output, such as 1920x1080 pixels for screen displays or 300 PPI for print projects, and click Create.
2. Master the Layer Panel. Open the Layers panel by navigating to Window > Layers. Click the plus icon at the bottom of the panel to create a new layer, ensuring you never edit your original background image directly.
3. Utilize Selection Tools. Select the Object Selection Tool from the toolbar on the left. Hover over an object in your image and click to automatically detect and select its edges for targeted adjustments.
4. Apply Adjustment Layers. Navigate to the bottom of the Layers panel and click the half-filled circle icon. Select Levels or Curves to modify the exposure and contrast of your image without permanently altering the original pixel data.
5. Resize and Transform elements. Select a layer and press the Free Transform command. Click and drag the corner handles to resize the object, holding the Shift key to maintain the original aspect ratio.
6. Export your project. Go to File > Export > Export As. Choose your file format, such as JPEG for photographs or PNG for web assets, and specify the output folder to save your final work.