WANT TO LEARN PHOTOSHOP TRICKS?
Courtesy of my friends at Watch And Learn Photoshop, here is an amazing LONG list of cool online tutorials for various tricks and functions to learn for use by both YearTech software and YearTech Online schools. Even if you have the newer Photoshop CS5, or most older versions, the tutorials below will still work great.
WARNING: you won't need to spend much time learning these FUN effects, but you might get hooked! Have your computer speakers on and follow the instructor as he guides you through each brief lesson, just click on your choice. You'll also have the chance to join Watch And Learn Photoshop's email and newsletter list for even more great information...
Layer Comps
Layer Comps is a great tool for saving and viewing modified states of your images as you apply filters and effects on separate layers. We'll also take a look at converting our Layer Comps to Scripts in order to view all of these image states in one single file.
Features of Photoshop CS4 Preview
In this lesson, you'll learn about Photoshop's features for working with multiple documents at once.
Introduction to Photoshop CS4 Preview1
In this video, we will give you a tour of the Photoshop working environment and demonstrate how to customize it to fit your needs.
Color Cutout
This is a popular Photoshop trick that is easy to understand. In this tutorial, you will learn how to take a photo and single out one object to create that classic mono color look.
Color Cast Removal and Photo Filters
In this tutorial we're going to talk about an optional color cast removal technique and the Photo Filter option in CS3, as well as painting with Layer Masks to control the filters applied.
Photos and Shapes
Here's a little Photoshop trickery to convert your digital photos using shapes and layer styles. This is a handy technique for spicing up your website or creating custom cards for special events and occasions.
Black and White Conversion with Camera Raw
This tutorial will demonstrate yet another technique for converting your color photographs to black and white using Photoshop's powerful new Camera Raw tools.
Color Cast Removal
We will take a look at a great technique for removing those unwanted color casts from your digital photos using a blur technique and adjustment layers. You will have your digital photos color corrected in a snap!
Adjusting JPEGS and TIFFS in Camera Raw
Not having an expensive digital SLR camera is no excuse for ignoring Photoshop’s powerful Camera Raw adjustment options. In this tutorial, we will take a look at how we can open our "Point and Shoot" camera images from within this powerful new tool to create stunning photos.
Color Correction and Depth of Field
Here's a quick and easy technique for basic color correction on the fly and a great way to achieve that "Depth of Field Focus" without the need for a high dollar camera and lens.
Highlights, Midtones and Shadows
We will take a look at a slightly more advanced technique for dramatically improving your photographs using Highlights, Midtones and Shadows. You will be surprised at the amount of control you will have in regards to cleaning up those slightly washed out looking photos using these three features in conjunction with adjustment layers.
The Extreme 3D Popout Effect
In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to literally pop our selected subject out of the photograph into the foreground to give our photo that 3D effect. This particular technique will also give us the opportunity to use Photoshop's CS3's brand new Quick Selection tool.
Painting Within Layer Masks
Painting with layer masks allows us virtually unlimited control within our digital photographs because it is non destructive editing. We can easily fix mistakes and or come back at any time to make further edits. This video will demonstrate just one of the many techniques for creative editing to your photos.
Working with Levels
Levels adjustment is a powerful tool for enhancing your digital photos when used in conjunction with adjustment layers. In this video, you will learn how to apply this technique like the pros.
Working with CS3 Extended, 3D Layers
Bert will show you how to work with the texture editing features for 3D layers, recoloring, creating special effects and creating multiple layer effects to rework model textures.
Color Modifications with Masks and Brushes
In this video, you will learn how to quickly and easily modify the color in a defined area of your photo using layer masks, adjustment layers and the brush tool.
Creating Droplets
Learn how to create action droplets to batch process files, and use the same principle to accelerate the processing of movie files. Bert Lee will show how a video layer can be converted to an image sequence, batch processed and restored to a video layer, enormously speeding up the workflow with video.
Creating A New Document
This tip is an excerpt from video series, "Introduction to Photoshop CS 2" by trainer Geoff Riggs. In this video clip, you'll learn some of the basic options available to you when creating a new document in Photoshop.
Using Layer Masks
A layer mask in Photoshop is basically a way of hiding and revealing certain parts of a layer. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create, edit, delete, and modify layer masks in Photoshop.
Working With Layers
Working with layers is one of the most important aspects of working in Photoshop. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will walk you through the basics of getting around in the layers palette.
Rubber Band
The pen tool can be a little tricky to use, and until you get used to it, you might not always know where your next anchor point is going to leave you. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to use the Rubber Band option with your pen tool, which will allow you to see hints of what your shape will look like.
Document Sizing Tips
In this video tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs illustrates a few different tips for setting document size in Photoshop, including a shortcut on how to create a new document that's the same size as your current document.
Magic Selection
The magic wand tool can be very handy in making complex selections in Photoshop, but it has its limitations. In this video, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you another more effective way of creating magic selections.
Cucoloris ("Cookie") Effect
A cucoloris (or "cookie") is a metal sheet with patterns cut out of it, intended to cast patterned shadows on the background (and often the subject) of a photograph. In this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you how to achieve the same effect in Photoshop.
Warping Text With Smart Objects
There are many ways to warp text in Photoshop, but most of them have their limitations. Some methods allow you to edit your text after warping, but don't provide full customization of HOW you warp the text. Other methods allow full customization but don't allow you to edit the text afterwards. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you a method for warping text that will give you the best of both worlds.
Taming The Skies
Ever have one of those photographs where the sky is too bright and harsh? In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you an amazingly effective trick for toning down and recoloring an overly bright sky.
Glowing Lights
In this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs will teach you how to take an image of a light bulb that's turned off and add a glow to it to make it look like it's illuminated.
Colorizing Black And White Photos
Many black and white images can be made much more interesting simply by adding a little color. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to paint color onto a black and white photo.
Masking Basics
Understanding what masks are and how they work in Photoshop can open up many doors for creative design. In this video excerpt from the upcoming video series, "Getting Started in Photoshop CS 2", Geoff Riggs explains the basics of what masks are and how to use them.
Camera Raw
In this tutorial, Photoshop guru Geoff Riggs will show you the ins and outs of using the Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop. This plug-in allows you to import images from your camera and make changes to it without actually altering the raw image itself.
Levels Adjustment
You may already know the basics of the levels adjustment tool, but in this video, Geoff Riggs will show you a neat little trick you may not have known. Using this method you'll be able to very quickly and effectively adjust the brightness and contrast of your image in a very intuitive manner.
Perspective Cropping
It seems like it would be quite a task to straighten up a picture of an object that was taken at a severe angle. However, Photoshop's Perspective Cropping feature allows you to do this in one simple step. In this video, you'll learn how to use this amazing tool in Photoshop.
Steel Text Effect
The great thing about text effects is that they're usually very easy to reproduce. In this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you how to make a steel text effect, and then he'll show you how to save this effect so that it can easily be applied to other layers in the future.
Painted Frames
In this video tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to create a quick and easy frame for your photographs simply using the eraser tool.
Non-Destructive Dodging And Burning
The Dodge and Burn tools in Photoshop are great tools for lightening and darkening areas of your images. However, these tools are destructive to your original photograph and can only be reversed using your History panel. In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you a more creative and effective way of achieving the same effects without affecting the image layer itself.
Casting Shadows
In this video tutorial, Geoff Riggs will teach you how to create an elongated shadow cast in front of a block of backlit text.
Smoothing Skin
Sometimes the camera does TOO good a job of capturing all the details, especially when it comes to skin. A close-up portrait can sometimes reveal tiny bumps and roughness that we might not want to see. In this video, you'll learn a very effective technique for smoothing out your skin in Photoshop.
Polaroid Pictures
In this video tip, you will learn how to take a photo and transform it into an old-fashioned Polaroid photograph.
Grunge Borders
In this Photoshop tutorial, Geoff will teach you how to create a very easy, but very effective, white grunge border around your photographs.
Creating A Grid With A Custom Pattern
In this video tutorial, Geoff will show you how to create and define a custom pattern in Photoshop and then use that pattern to create a grid background for your Photoshop file.
Using Clipping Masks
You've all seen postcards or advertisements with a picture of something inside a block of bold text. In this tutorial, you'll learn just how easy it can be to achieve this effect.
Open Type Font Embellishments
In this tutorial, Photoshop trainer Geoff Riggs shows you how to add embellishments and alter the appearance of specific letter pairings for open type fonts.
Tricky Selections
It's not always easy to make complex selections in your Photoshop images, but in this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs will show you one very effective way to use the highlights in an image to make a selection in order to alter an image.
Dotted Lines
Photoshop doesn't provide any quick means of creating dotted lines, but in this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to create your own customized dotted line quickly and easily, using the paintbrush tool.
Making Changes Across Multiple Photos
Ever wanted to resize a group of images or add a watermark to a group of images, but you just didn't have the time to do it? Well, with Photoshop's Batch processing capabilities, you can make changes to multiple images all at once. In this video, you'll learn how to add a watermark to a collection of images all at once.
Linking Effect
Ever wanted to link two objects together in Photoshop so that they seem to weave in and out of each other, kind of like the Olympic rings? Well, it's easier than you might think! In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create this linking effect in just a couple very easy steps.
Turning Pictures Into Statues
Today's tip is a two-for-one for those of you who want to know how to extract a person from an image. After learning how to do this, you'll also learn how to turn that person into a statue in just a few simple steps.
Posterizing Images
Turning your images into illustrations isn't as difficult as you might think. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to make your images look cartoonish in just one simple step.
Adding Smoke To An Image
Want to make your motorcycle photo gallery a little more exciting by adding a little smoke to your pictures? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create smoke in Photoshop using filters and blending modes.
Making A Vignette or Soft Edge
This video is a relatively simple tip on two different ways to create a vignette for your photographs. A vignette is basically a soft-edged border around a photograph. Enjoy!
Saving Color Swatches
When designing a web layout or some other type of design layout, you will often need to use some of the same colors over and over again. In this video, you'll learn how to add color swatches to your Swatches pallette, save your current set of color swatches, and load a set that you've already saved.
Text That Follows A Path
Creating text that follows a path in Photoshop is an extremely simple process. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a circle of text using selections, paths, and, of course, the text tool.
Creating A Photorealistic Tennis Ball
I'll give you three guesses as to what you'll be learning in this tutorial! If you guessed that you're going to learn how to create your own photorealistic tennis ball in Photoshop, then you're absolutely right!
Making A Panorama With Photoshop
Ever wanted to take a panorama but couldn't find your wide angle lens? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to make a panoramic image out of a few separate images using a little recoloring, retouching and blending.
Flawless Black and White Photos
How many of you just convert your images from RGB to grayscale when you want to create a black and white image? How many of you turn to your Hue/Saturation adjustments and completely desaturate the image? Well, in this video, you'll learn how to take control of your black and white images in a much more effective way.
Glossy Reflection Effect
All across the internet, you'll find flashy logos and text effects with a glossy white reflection across the top of the graphic. There are many ways to achieve an effect like this in Photoshop, and in this tutorial, LearnFlash.com trainer Craig Campbell shows you his preferred method of creating just such a reflection.
Creating a Grassy Field in Photoshop
One of the most underappreciated tools for beginners in Photoshop is the brush tool. Most beginners think that this tool is simply used to paint round or square strokes onto the canvas. These same beginners would be shocked to learn that you can very easily create an entire field of grass using only the brush tool. In this tutorial, Craig Campbell from LearnFlash.com will show you how to use brush shapes and brush dynamics to create your own grassy meadow in Photoshop.
Lightning Effect
Realistic lightning seems like it would be difficult and time-consuming to create in Photoshop. But it is much simpler than you might think. In this tutorial, LearnFlash.com trainer Craig Campbell shows you how to use a few filters and tonal adjustments in order to achieve a very realistic lightning effect that will look a little bit different every time you attempt it.
Plastic Text Effect
One of the most widely used text effects in Photoshop design is the plastic text effect. There are hundreds of different plastic effects you could come with, and in this tutorial, Craig Campbell from LearnFlash.com will show you just one of many ways to add some plasticky depth to your text.
The Shadow/Hightlight Tool
Sometimes it is necessary to make an image a little brighter. Sometimes it is necessary to make it a little darker. But what if you need to do both? Or what if you only need to brighten up a small portion of an image, perhaps where there are some dark shadows? In this tutorial, LearnFlash.com trainer Craig Campbell will show you how to use Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight tool to bring out the shadows and calm down the highlights all in one simple step.
Ancient Map Effect
Photoshop is an amazing graphics program, and with it, you can create some very photorealistic graphics. In this tutorial, for example, you will learn how to create an antique map with holes and burned edges. This tutorial would also be great for creating antique hand-written letters.
Ribbon Effect
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to take an ordinary piece of script text and transform it into a 3-dimensional, semi-transparent ribbon in just two simple steps. This tutorial would also work for a very simple shape that you might want to turn into a logo or something like that.
Grunge Text Effect
Sometimes it takes a creative mixture of ideas to put together a good effect in Photoshop. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to tweak a photograph for use inside your text in order to make a really cool grunge text effect.
Censoring a Photograph
Want to blot out your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend's face from an otherwise perfectly good picture? In today's tutorial, you'll learn how to censor parts of an image in just a couple of very simple steps in Photoshop.
3D Reflection Effect
In a previous tip, we talked about how to make a simple reflection effect for a logo. But it gets a little more complicated if you're trying to create a reflection for a 3-dimenisional object, such as a box. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to perform the transformations necessary in order to make a very effective 3D reflection effect.
Perspective Cropping
If you've ever tried to take a flash photograph of a framed picture straight-on, you've probably noticed that it's impossible to do so without planting a large reflection of the flash right in the center of the picture. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to avoid that unwanted reflection by taking the picture from an angle and then adjusting the picture using perspective cropping.
Wood Grain Texture
In this video tutorial, trainer Craig Campbell will show you how to create a wood grain texture from scratch in Photoshop.
3D Angled Text
Have you ever wanted a line of text to pop off the page? In this tip, Brian Harber shows a 3D angle effect that will make your text standout.
Bicubic Sharper
When resizing an image in Photoshop, if you use all the default settings, the image will end up with a little bit of a blur to it--hardly distinguishable, but it is there. In this tutorial, you will learn how to customize the way your image is resampled when you resize it in order to maintain the sharpness of the image.
Red, Black & White
Who knows where the new style of a single-color (usually red) contrasted with black and white came from? Regardless, Brian Harber shows us in this video the various methods of capturing that vibrant red or other color while desaturating the rest.
"Photoshop CS2 - Designing with Photos" Preview
In this video tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs demonstrates several different ways to convert an image to black and white using Photoshop CS2, and discusses the positives and negatives of each method.
Making a Photo Old
There are lots of methods of aging a photo. Instead of just weathering and roughing it up, Brian Harber shows us the basic properties of old photo exposure, and how to achieve the same look in Photoshop (high contrast, fuzziness, random shadow from flash; no true black; THEN add dust & scratches.)
Clear Skies
In this tip, Brian Harber explores the wide potential in sky replacement and subsequent color adjustment. If you've ever had a picture that you loved, but it was unfortunately very cloudy or dull, here's an easy way to spice up that picture.
"Photoshop CS2 - Designing with Photos" Preview
In this video tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs illustrates the best method of correcting color in your photographs using everything from thresholds to curves.
Using Blur Filters
Learn to use the new blur filters provided in Photoshop CS2. These new blur filters take your projects to a new level. In this tutorial, you will learn about the very exciting new blur filter called "Surface Blur" that will add a professional look to any digital photo.
Creating Realistic Ice
In this tutorial, Craig Campbell will demonstrate how to give a realistic ice texture to your shapes using Layer Styles.
Creating a Carpet Texture
In this tutorial, trainer Craig Campbell demonstrates how to create a fibrous carpet texture in just a few simple steps in Photoshop.
Casting Shadows
In this tutorial, Craig Campbell will show you how to create a shadow that stretches out behind a text field and slowly fades out.
Warp
A new feature to Photoshop CS2 is the Warp control. Learn to take an image, and not only distort and transform, but now warp the image and still retain quality. Photoshop CS2 now lets us take image control beyond free transform.
"Designing for the Web with Photoshop CS2" Preview
This tutorial illustrates a quick way to produce a fast loading gradient background for a web page. Quick, elegant and easy!
Custom Watermark
Protect yourself with a custom digital watermark. Add that professional look to any digital picture and set yourself apart.
Wind Filter
This is a great effect using the color table and the wind filter. Take text or any object and apply a stunning effect that looks very professional.
Lens Correct
In this tutorial, you will learn how to correct photos within Photoshop using the new lens correction filter. Learn to adjust the perspective of your photo without re-taking the shot.
Gradient Mask Blur
In this tutorial, you will learn how to add a gradient mask to add a blur effect to the background in your photos. After this tutorial, your digital pics will be winning awards.
Planet Eclipse
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create the illusion of a solar eclipse, or a planet out in space. This is a very popular effect and has been widely used in all media.
Map Burn
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create the look and feel of an old antique map. You can apply this effect to new maps and wow your friends and clients. You will learn to create the effect of burnt edges and yellowed paper.
Laser
In this tutorial, you will take a digital photograph of a person or layout and create a sci-fi looking laser blast. You will learn how to create colors using layers and blending modes. This is an exciting tutorial that will WOW your friends!
Using Actions
If you find yourself repeating the same Photoshop keystrokes and commands over and over again, one image after another, then you need Actions! Teach Photoshop to remember each step of a repetitive series of steps and apply them automatically, stopping along the way when you need to add a custom touch. Watch this tip for an introduction to Actions, demonstrating how to record or save steps and apply those same steps to other images. Then kick back and take a break with the time you save.
Using Levels and Unsharp Mask
Don't delete an over- or underexposed or blurry image until you try this tip. If you don't have the benefit of professional lighting or fancy camera settings, sometimes your digital photos will come out too dark, too light or a little fuzzy. Photoshop to the rescue! Learn how to use Levels and Unsharp Mask to adjust the lighting and sharpness of a photograph.
Gradient Background and Drop Shadow
Ever wonder how to take an object from a photograph and make it stand out on its own? Sure, you can delete the background, but that just leaves a plain, flat background, which probably makes your object appear flat too. Learn a simple way to add richness and depth to an object's appearance by adding a gradient background and a drop shadow.
Liquefy
In this tutorial, you will learn how properly use the liquefy filter in Photoshop CS2. This can be a very effective tool when editing your digital photography. Learn to create professional looking photos.
Vanishing Point
This is one of the most amazing things in Photoshop CS2 hands down! You will learn how to edit your photos with a brand new filter called Vanishing Point. Learn to use the plane tool to paint out objects and keep in scale with the photo, simply amazing.
Using Paths to Crop a Background
Want to separate an object in a photograph from all the clutter surrounding it? Paths are a great way to create a smooth, accurate selection around any object - no matter what's in the background. This tip shows how to create a simple path around an object, convert the path to a selection and then mask out the background so the selected object becomes an independent image.
How to Size a Photo for the Web
When you need to resize a photo for the web, it's important to preserve as much of the quality of the original image as possible. Maintain the highest image quality by following the steps in this tip. Learn to crop, change the resolution and resize a photo for the web, while minimizing the number of times it's processed in Photoshop.
Water Drops
In this tutorial, you will learn how to add water droplets to your pics by using the Elliptical Marquee Tool and adding layer styles. Learn how to use blending options while working with layers to get a realistic water drop.
PictoSketch
In this tutorial, you will learn how to take a digital photo and convert it into a realistic sketched drawing. You will learn how to give the effect of a hand drawn picture by using filters and layers.
Ripple
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a classic background image of ripples on water. Photoshop makes this easy and fun to create and you can use this on banners, webpages and splash pages.
Black and White Conversion Tool
Photoshop CS3 offers up a powerful new option for converting your color digital photos to black and white with a brand new interface. Learn how to utilize these adjustments to create true art with your black and white photos.
Vignetting for Digital Photos
This technique will show you how to Vignette, or achieve a burned in edge effect on your digital photographs. This is a great way to enhance your photos and draw your viewers into the center of the photograph.
Lighting Adjustments
Here's a great technique for adjusting dark and light areas in your digital photographs. It's quick, easy and best of all, it's non destructive.
Sharpening Techniques
Here are two optional sharpening techniques to clean up those digital photographs. Option one can speed up your work flow, while option two offers greater control with a more obscure, yet powerful tool, the High Pass Filter.
Digital Color Photo Enhancement
Want to make your digital color photos come to life? This technique, used by the professionals, will give those photos the "pop" they need for web and for print…easy, quick, and fun!
Marquee Tool
In this tutorial, you will learn an effect using the marquee tool. This is a popular effect used in almost every magazine and splash page. You will learn to use it effectively and be confident to apply this to your own digital photography.
Touring the Galleries
Adobe Photoshop CS3 is packed full of great photo galleries designed for many types of use. Everything from sharing photos with family and friends, to displaying and receiving feedback on your work from potential customers. In this tutorial we'll begin our preview of some of these galleries.
Building Your First Gallery
In this tutorial, we will build our first web photo gallery. This will include folder navigation and populating the web photo gallery banner with the appropriate text content.
Control over Galleries
This tutorial will walk you through the more expanded features of the Web Photo Gallery, such as control of fonts and font sizes, background and banner colors, and text descriptions for your images.
Image Preparation
This is a great way to create your own custom gallery for not only friends and family, but as a useful advertising tool as well.
Adding Fireworks to an Image
In this tutorial, trainer Geoff Riggs demonstrates how to take a photo
of a cityscape and a photo of fireworks and combine them effectively
for a very realistic effect.
Text Styles
This tip is an introduction to the world of non-boring text in Photoshop! In this tutorial, Geoff Riggs will show you how to enhance your text with one very easy to use tool - the Layer Styles dialog.
Using Levels and Unsharp Mask
Don't delete an over- or underexposed or blurry image until you try this tip. If you don't have the benefit of professional lighting or fancy camera settings, sometimes your digital photos will come out too dark, too light or a little fuzzy. Photoshop to the rescue! Learn how to use Levels and Unsharp Mask to adjust the lighting and sharpness of a photograph.
"Photoshop CS3 Quickstart" Preview
Photoshop CS3 offers up a powerful new option for converting your color digital photos to black and white with a brand new interface. Learn how to utilize these adjustments to create true art with your black and white photos.
Text Editing with Dreamweaver
In this tutorial, we will look at editing text description fields for our web photo gallery.
Graffiti
It seems like questions about this keep popping up. In this tutorial, you will learn how to add graffiti to a textured surface while using gradients and the Overlay option.
Photogallery Editing with Dreamweaver
This tutorial will demonstrate some of the basic HTML editing features for your web photo gallery, using Dreamweaver.
Adding Comments
This feature allows your clients to add and submit comments and requests to each photo from within your web photo gallery.
Special Effects Using the Marquee Tool
The marquee tool can be used to quickly and easily add some pop to your digital photos. In this video, we will take a look at several techniques and effects we can use to accomplish this.
