What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “photo editing”?
I’m willing to bet the answer is Photoshop.
Many of the images you see online and offline nowadays are made using Photoshop. Website graphics, logos, movie posters, magazine covers, and just about every other photo these days are edited to some degree using this software. When skillfully done, digitally-edited images could easily fool anybody. By now, most of us may have already seen some of the best photoshopped images on the planet or some of the worst. An essential tool for today’s graphic and web designers, indeed Photoshop has become so popular that “Photoshopped” is even basically an adjective now.
If you’re a designer, the good news is that there is no shortage of job opportunities these days what with more and more companies building their own websites and marketing agencies in need of Photoshop experts. But with tough competition in the field, how do you make yourself stand out?
Whether you’re just getting started on the software or looking to improve your skills more, here’s what you can do.
Practice!
This may sound cliché but the power of practice is not to be underestimated. If you’re relatively new to Photoshop, this is the best way to go. Even if you already have some background on the software, you can still benefit from more practice. It’s not enough to just learn the theories. You should also know how to apply them. You may want to take a look at these tutorials that can help you out.
- 250+ Free Photoshop Tutorials
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- 20 Free Photoshop Add-ons and Effects Bundle
Get More Ideas From Various Resources
While you may already have a lot of brilliant concepts in your head, it’s also good to get other ideas from different resources. It’s always great to learn and discover new ideas other than your own. Such ideas may be different from yours or oppose your own principles but you’ll learn something new and you’ll get a glimpse of other designers’ minds. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of learning resources today and they come in various forms like guides, tutorials, and ebooks. And the best thing is they are for free.
Compare Tutorials
There may be hundreds of tutorials and other types of learning resources today but they are not all the same. Learning materials can be presented differently. One type of tutorial may be more suitable for a certain kind of learning style. Comparing different tutorials will allow you to explore more and discover what best fits your learning style.
Check Online Galleries Regularly
The online space has a plethora of galleries where you can find the finest and latest images made with Photoshop. These images make a wonderful source of new ideas and inspiration while you’re experimenting with your own techniques. Subscribe to various online galleries to see some of the best recent images and get regular updates.
Don’t Limit Yourself To Online Resources
Though online resources can be accessed easily and conveniently nowadays, traditional learning materials like books and design magazines should never be overlooked. These materials can offer a wealth of knowledge and ideas just the same. Some of them are even more in-depth and thorough. Widen your knowledge about the software with these 5 best Adobe Photoshop books for creative minds.
Repeat A Process/Technique Several Times
Indeed, repetition is the key to mastering an art, or anything for that matter. When you’ve found a tutorial or technique you like, try repeating the process a number of times to become more familiar and know your way around. Once you’ve become comfortable or feel like you’ve learned it enough, you can move on to a different technique.
Explore And Experiment
One of the best ways to learn something is to explore it. Photoshop has numerous features and functions so don’t be afraid to try them out. Discover how things work. This is a great way to feel comfortable using the software. Check and explore these Photoshop secrets that can help level up your skills. As you explore your own abilities, feel free to experiment and find out what works for you.
Ask For Feedback From Other Designers
In addition to learning from tutorials and experimenting on your own techniques, it’s also helpful to get feedback from other designers. There is a lot to learn from fellow designers, whether they are more experienced or also still working on their skills just as you are. To get valuable feedback from others in the field, share your work with others online.
Challenge Yourself
One way to improve in your craft is to challenge yourself. How? Join design contests. Apart from the chance of winning, this is also a way to gauge your skill level, determine your progress and know how far you’ve come. More to bagging any prize, joining contests can also help you build more confidence and be motivated to become even better at what you do.
Keep A Positive Attitude
Above all, it’s important to keep a positive attitude. Your attitude has a lot to do with everything. It can be quite frustrating when your work doesn’t turn out the way you imagined. When this happens, don’t give up. Everyone goes through challenges. No expert has reached their level without going through some bumps along the way.
Your Photoshop skills can help you build the career you may have always wanted as a designer. But in order to create such a career path, you need to start by building skill set first. The best thing you can do is to give yourself time to practice and hone your skills further.
Remember that every expert had to start somewhere before becoming the best at what they do. And although books and tutorials offer invaluable learning, your creativity, eye for detail, and skills are still your biggest weapons in becoming a standout designer. Keeping your goals in mind, invest in improving your design skills.