5 Easy Steps to Get Started in Photoshop (Beginner Friendly Guide)

By Evan Liewer

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Opening Photoshop for the first time can be both daunting and overwhelming, tools everywhere, panels on all sides, and options that do who knows what. But here’s the truth.

You only need a few fundamentals to start creating confident content.

1. Start with a New Project

   1. Open Adobe Photoshop

   2. Go to ‘File > New’ or use Ctrl/Cmd + N

   3. For beginners, keep it simple:

      1. 1080 × 1350 px (Instagram-friendly size)

      2. 72 ppi (standard for web graphics)

   4. This gives you a clean, manageable workspace to practice in.

2. Layers: The Foundation of Photoshop

   1. Once we have our file created by selecting ok, we are met with our layers panel on the bottom right.

   2. Layers work like stacked transparent sheets: text on one, images on another, color or effects on top

      1. Something to consider: If your layer won’t move you’re likely on the wrong layer.

   3. Layers are the backbone of Photoshop, so getting comfortable with them early makes everything easier.

3. Masks: The Beginner’s Undo

   1. Layer masks let you hide parts of a layer without deleting anything.

   2. Think of them like scratch-off stickers: black hides, white reveals.

      1. Cut out objects

      2. Blend images

      3. Clean edits without damaging the original layers

   3. Masks may feel advanced, but they quickly become second nature once you try them.

4. Selections: Choosing What to Edit

   1. Selections tell Photoshop exactly which areas you want to affect. Useful beginner tools include:

      1. Rectangle Marquee (M shortcut): Simple shapes

      2. Quick Selection (W shortcut): Click and drag to detect edges

      3. Object selection: Photoshop’s AI automatically isolates subjects

   2. Selections + masks = precise control and cleaner designs.

5. Adjustments: Your First Edit

   1. Adjustments let you fine-tune lighting, color, and mood. Start with:

      1. Brightness/Contrast - basic lighting control

      2. Exposure - overall light intensity

      3. Hue/Saturation - color shifts and vibrance

   2. Be sure to use Adjustment layers rather than direct edits. These will sit on their own layer and can be changed anytime.

6. Conclusion

   1. Photoshop is a big program, but you don’t need to master everything at once — just these fundamentals. With layers, masks, selections, and simple adjustments, you’re already creating like a real designer.

      
      

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