Nowadays, Photoshop is a heck of an amazing
software which can really help your creativity express itself through a
variety of useful tools. It is also excellent if all you want to do is
re-touch a photo a bit before you post it on your website or anywhere else.
If you are a new Photoshop user then only recently exposed to the wonders of
this advanced design machine read on. We have gathered some tips &
tricks that could really make a difference as you move forward with your
next few images.
Note: The shortcuts are phrased for only PC users. Mac people know what to do with them.
1. Transform
When you want to change the size of an photo or rotate or flip or distort it then you can always do so by clicking Edit; then click Transform & select the action you desire. To make life more easier, there is a shortcut that you can use. Simply press Ctrl + T
on your keyboard & a bounding box will then appear around the image
indicating transformation. This means you can now do resize your images. The
best way to do so is by placing the cursor on one of the rectangle
corners & then drag the corner while holding the Shift key. When you are finished just press Enter & you are done.
To flip your image vertically or horizontally press Ctrl + T & then right click on your mouses. A pop- up window will appear with a few
options for rotating & flipping the image. Select the action you want & when you are done press Enter.
Similarly to distort or skew the images press (Ctrl + T) & then place the cursor on one of the corners you want to distorts. Press (Ctrl) while holding your mouse down on the corner & drag it down to wherever you want then press (Enter) to activate.
2. Change the Unit of Measurement
A short & quick way to switch between units of measurements is to place the cursor on one of the rulers (press Ctrl + R
to show or hide the rulers) & right click then choose a new unit
from the contexts menu . You have variety of unit there from
centimeters to pixels, millimeters, points & even percents.
3. Magnetic Lasso Tool
This is an easy selection tool that
helps you trace & outline a part of an image & to separate it from
the rest of the image in order to perform certain actions. For example; you can select & separate a product from its background.
The magnetic lasso tool detects the
edges of an object so that it works best when you have a bold contrast
between an object & its background with well defined edges. You can
find this tool in the tool panel.
To access the Magnetic Lasso click &
hold your mouse button down on the Lasso Tool until a fly out menu
appear . The magnetic lasso is the last one with a small magnets on its
icon. Select it & then go to your image & place your mouse on the
edge of the part you want to select. Click your mouse once release &
just go over the edges of the object you want to select (just like you
do with scissors when you cut something out).
4. Magic Wand Tool
The Magic Wand is another selection
tool which is ideal for when you are working with a background that is very
monotone & consistent. If you have a clearly defined color that you
want to choose in an image then this is the tool for you. For example the
Magic - Wand is great when you want to select a white background or a
clear blue sky.
Choose the magic wand tool from the
tools panel & click on the part of the image you want to select. Make
sure that you toggled the 'add to selection' option on the top bar (icon
of two squares) so that you can keep on adding colors & tones to your
selection.
5. Custom Shape Tool
The Tool Panel offers all kind of
basic shapes you need like - squares, lines, circles, ellipses etc. However,
if you would like to have extended options check out the custom shape tool.
Represented by icons that kind of resemble a roadkill but it is far from
it! The custom shape tool is easy to find on the Options Bar. When you select it a world of shape options will reveal itself to you.
A shape preview thumbnail will appear to the right of the Custom Shape Tool
icon. The selection is great & you can access even more shapes by
clicking again on the small arrow on the right side of the panel. If you
are looking for banner , speech bubble or arrow of all kinds this is
just the tool for you.
6. Adjustment Layers
As you use Photoshop for whatever
purpose like change color of an image; make it sharper or improve the
contrast; remember to always use the adjustment layer . The big
advantages of the adjustment layers is that you do not make the changes on
the image itself but on a separate layer, so that you can always change the
settings to see which adjustment works best for you. You will find
adjustment layer in the bottoms of the the Layers Panel (a black & white circle icon).
7. Layer Styles
This is a simple and easy way to add
some pizazz to your image. Layers styles are special effects that can be
quickly applied to individual layer . All you have to do is do a double click
on a layer & then choose the effect you like.
You can select from a whole variety of
features, add a stroke or a glow, drop a shadow & much more with just
a click of the mouse. Be careful you do not overdo it. These effects
have a tendency to look cheap & sleazy when there is too much of them.
8. Spot Healing Brush
This
tool will make everything looks prettier!! If you have a spot blemish or
a mole this tool will remove it instantly. It is can also be used as a
pimples remover. Just place the brushes over the area you want to 'fix',
make sure the brush is a bit bigger than the blemish & click.
Photoshop automatically sample from around the retouched area so you
really do not need to do anything else.
9. Dodge Tool
The Dodge Tool lightens pixels where you
like to use it. This is a great solution for the red 'tired eyes'. Set the Dodges
Tool to a soft brush then go to range setting in the menu bar pull down & choose highlights set Exposure on around 20%. Then carefully brush
over the eyes area. Remember not to overdo it or your model will start
to look like an alien. A few simple strokes that should do the job.
10. Blur Tool
A simple & delicate way to remove
small wrinkles is to blur them a little bit. Use the Blur tools to smooth out
small imperfections like the wrinkles around the eye or mouth area & simply blur them into the background. Again be gentle & remember not
to overdo it or instead of improving your image you will end up spoiling
it. The Blur tool that can be used for repair as well as more artistic
purposes so it is important to become friendly with it.
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