Photoshop is, without a question, one of the greatest picture editors ever created, which is why it is also one of the most widely used. It has been the industry leader in innovation for the last 30 years, and there is no indication of slowing down anytime soon!
So, to honor 30 years of amazing program, let's look at 30 Photoshop techniques and tips that every user should know. And if you're searching for a video that teaches some great and easy Photoshop skills.
12 Tips & Tricks Every Photoshop User Should Know
1. Select Colors From Anywhere
Let's start with one of the simple Photoshop tricks. Stop screenshotting things just to grab colors from them! Simply select the Eye Dropper tool, minimize Photoshop, click the dropper onto your canvas, and then drag anywhere outside of Photoshop.
2. Install Custom Photoshop Brushes
Next Photoshop tip: don't feel tied to using just the brushes that come pre-installed in Photoshop. Try installing one of the thousands of brushes the internet has to offer by going into your bushes, clicking the Gear icon, and choosing Import Brushes.
3. How to Create a Rain Texture
You'll like this free Photoshop tip! Falling raindrops are a great way to add some drama to your photography, but sometimes nature doesn't agree with your plans. Make it rain yourself by creating a new layer filled with black, adding some Noise, then a slanted Motion Blur, and finally setting the layer to Screen. Add some contrast, and you have instant rain.
4. Create a Quick Light Bleed Effect
Add a subtle light bleed to help blend any image by creating a new layer and painting white towards the top of your image using a big fluffy white brush. Finish it off by lowering the opacity of the layer. It's one of the Photoshop cool tricks you need to know!
5. How to Use Blend If
We're just starting this Photoshop tips and tricks list! Here's another one: use Blend If to blend anything onto everything by double-clicking the layer you'd like to blend, going down to Blend If, and while holding Shift, playing with the sliders. The topmost layer will start blending into the layers below.
6. How to Copy Layer Styles Quickly
Have a layer style you need to apply to several other layers? Here's a Photoshop tip: hold down the Alt key and drag the FX icon from the original layer to the target layers. The layer styles will be applied instantly—no need to fiddle with settings!
7. How to Create Multiple Stroke Effects on Text
Why have one line stroke when you could have two? Double-click the text layer to apply a Stroke layer effect. Press the Plus icon to add another Stroke. Add as many as you'd like! Talk about simple Photoshop tricks!
8. Make a Trendy Double Exposure Effect
Here's one of my favorite free Photoshop tips: Create an easy double exposure effect by getting one high-contrast black and white image, and then clipping a second image into it. Set the second image to Screen. The real magic is in the clever composition.
9. How to Merge Shapes
Looking for Photoshop cool tricks? Create quick custom shapes using the shapes you've already created by selecting your shape layers and then Right-Click > Merge Shapes. Bam! Now multiple shapes have become one.
10. How to Use Motion Blur
Here's one of the Photoshop tips and tricks you need to know. Use Motion Blur to give some speed to any object by creating a feathered selection around the edges of an object and then adding a subtle Filter > Blur > Motion Blur.
11. How to Create Instagram Photo Filters
Want the Instagram filter without having to log in to Instagram? Here's a Photoshop tip: Create a mustard-yellow Color Fill layer and then set it to Multiply. Instant vintage effect! Add some red on a layer set to Screen for added faded glory.
12. How to Create an Animation in Photoshop
Did you think Photoshop is just for image editing? It has endless tricks and tips! Go to Window > Timeline and click on the Create Video Timeline icon to create GIFs and other simple animations.