Articles: Photoshop Tools and Functions
A wide range of technical advice for Photoshop and Elements.
Cropping in the workflow
Don't do it during editing!
Histogram identification test
Can you match these photos to their histograms?
What nobody tells you about Curves
They're powerful, but also damaging if misused.
Smart Objects: What they’re for, and what they’re NOT
Let's separate fact from fiction.
Raw noise removal
Never forget this important step in raw editing.
Opacity shortcuts
Speed up your workflow.
Alt/Option key tricks
How many of these do you use in your editing workflow?
Adjustment layers – strength vs opacity
Lowering layer opacity isn't always the same as lowering adjustment strength.
The Pen Tool
What it's for, and what it's not
Curved box method
How to make a wave-shaped box in Photoshop
The overrated adjustment brush
Put it down, and learn from your photos
Creating an animated GIF in Photoshop
To show people a before-and-after of your edit.
Making PDFs from Photoshop
How to ensure the highest quality.
Histogram identification test 2: Raw files
Can you match these raw photos to their histograms?
Shift while brushing
Your best friend for careful masking
The "Blend If" sliders in Photoshop
Not an everyday function, but very useful sometimes.
Itty bitty tips for PS on PC
Small shortcuts for time saving.
A tour of the Actions panel
Learn what all the little buttons and icons do.
Photoshop’s "Arrange" functions
View multiple photos on your screen at once.
Some alternatives to cloning
The Clone Stamp Tool is very useful, but sometimes unnecessary.
Brush Tool – difference between opacity and flow
It's a matter of personal taste.
Comparing Curves and Levels
They do a lot of the same things, but slightly differently
Straightening horizons
How to fix crooked photos