Top Tips to Use Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a great program for adding numerous different effects to photos, including blending, layering and filtering.  It can take some time to learn how to use this program and all its options properly. However, there are several tips that will have you making professional looking photos in no time at all.

Refining
The refining option in Photoshop allows you to easily edit a specific section of a picture. This option is in the top toolbar and is very useful. Try it by selecting a part of the photo and then click on "refine edge."

Options Hidden Behind the Arrows
If you look in the different tool bars locate throughout Adobe Photoshop, you will notice small arrows in the upper right hand corner. These arrows lead to numerous different options, making it possible to do even more to your photos.

Blending
If you go into the layers tool bar in Photoshop and right-click you will see the option for blending. Blending offers a variety of effects to try on your photos. Use the blending option very sparingly.

Effects New Users Should Avoid
Unless you know how the filters, rainbow gradients, embossed and drop shadow options in Photoshop work, you should avoid using them. Using these filters often cause your pictures to look almost childish.

Layering and Blending
Mastering the blending options in Photoshop will have you use using the program like a professional. You will need to experiment with the different options to see how they work. To reach the blending menu, open the layers palette and select a layering option. Start with normal and then try changing things such as the opacity and move the layers up and down.

Most Important Tip 
Experiment and practice using the Adobe Photshop program. The only real way to learn how to use this photo edtting program is to experiment with the different available options. Photoshop offers tutorials and you can find videos online that show how many of the different photo effects work. After a few hours of playing around with the different options, you will get the hang of using Photoshop.