Photoshop Foundations
How the core Photoshop tools — selections, layers, masks, and adjustments — work together to transform and refine images.
A complete interactive classroom, not just a preview.
Start when you are ready to enter this Stage's 12 scenes and explore, respond, and learn as you go.
How do you turn a flat photo into a polished, layered composition in Photoshop?
- workspace-navigation
- Panels, toolbars, and canvas navigation in Photoshop.
- selection-tools
- How to isolate parts of an image using Marquee, Lasso, and Quick Selection.
- layers
- How layers stack non-destructively to build an image.
- layer-masks
- How to hide or reveal parts of a layer without erasing pixels.
- adjustment-layers
- How to change color and tone non-destructively using Adjustment Layers.
- transform-tools
- How to move, scale, rotate, and warp layers and selections.
- export-basics
- How to save working files (PSD) and export for web (JPEG/PNG).
Deleting pixels with the Eraser is the same as using a layer mask.
Show that layer masks are non-destructive and reversible, while erasing permanently removes pixels.
Adjustment Layers and Image > Adjustments work the same way.
Show that Adjustment Layers are non-destructive and editable, while Image > Adjustments bake changes into the pixels.
A higher resolution always means a better image.
Show that resolution is contextual — it matters for output size, not as an absolute quality measure.
- Basic computer literacy
- Photoshop installed (any recent version)
- Advanced compositing
- 3D features
- Video/animation
- Plugin workflows
- RAW processing deep-dive
- Navigate the Photoshop workspace without getting lost.
- Create a multi-layer composition using selections and masks.
- Apply at least one Adjustment Layer to correct color or tone.
- Export the final artwork for web use.
- Apply non-destructive editing principles (layers, masks, adjustment layers) to any new image-editing task.
Beginners who have opened Photoshop but feel lost in the workspace. No prior image-editing experience required.
- 01Welcome to PhotoshopslideOrientation
Introduce the course, the workspace, and the core idea of non-destructive editing.
- What Photoshop is used for
- Why non-destructive editing matters
- Course roadmap
- 02Workspace ExplorerinteractiveModel buildingObserve
Click through an interactive diagram of the Photoshop workspace to learn where tools, panels, and the canvas live.
- Toolbar
- Options bar
- Panels and Layers
- Canvas and zoom
- Menus
- 03Selection SandboxinteractivePredictionPredict
Simulate each selection tool on a sample image and predict which tool fits a given shape.
- Marquee for geometric shapes
- Lasso for freeform
- Quick Selection for color regions
- Feather and refine edges
- 04Layers ExplainedslideOrientation
Introduce the Layers panel, stacking order, and visibility as the foundation of every edit.
- Layer panel anatomy
- Stacking order
- Visibility and opacity
- Active layer
- 05Layer Stack BuilderinteractiveModel buildingConstruct
Drag and reorder layers to assemble a mini composition and see how order changes the result.
- Reorder layers
- Toggle visibility
- Change opacity
- Lock layers
- 06Mask vs. EraserinteractiveMisconception repairChoose
Compare the Eraser tool with a layer mask on the same image to show the difference between destructive and non-destructive editing.
- Eraser deletes pixels permanently
- Layer masks hide pixels reversibly
- Black hides, white reveals
- Mask edge refinement
- 07Mask Painting ChallengeinteractivePracticeApply
Paint on a layer mask to reveal a subject from a background — a real editing task, not a quiz.
- Paint black to hide
- Paint white to reveal
- Switch foreground/background colors
- Zoom in for detail
- 08Adjustment Layers IntroslideOrientation
Explain what Adjustment Layers are and why they beat Image > Adjustments for learning and editing.
- What is an Adjustment Layer
- Clip to layer
- Reorder and toggle
- Why non-destructive
- 09Color Correction LabinteractiveMisconception repairApply
Apply Brightness/Contrast, Levels, and Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers to a dull photo and watch the Histogram.
- Brightness/Contrast
- Levels and the histogram
- Hue/Saturation
- Re-edit anytime
- 10Transform PuzzleinteractiveModel buildingConstruct
Test Move, Scale, Rotate, and Warp on a layer to align elements in a composition.
- Move vs. arrow nudging
- Free Transform
- Warp for perspective
- Hold Shift to constrain
- 11Save vs. ExportslideOrientation
Explain the difference between .psd working files and .jpg/.png exports for sharing.
- PSD keeps layers
- Export As for web
- JPEG vs. PNG
- When to flatten
- 12Recap & Next StepsslideSynthesisExplain
Summarize the non-destructive workflow and point to next skills to learn.
- Layers + masks + adjustments = non-destructive
- Practice on real photos
- Next: smart objects and blending
- Keep your PSDs
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