What is the difference between raster images and vector shapes in Adobe Photoshop?

Raster images are made of pixels and can lose quality when enlarged, while Photoshop shape layers are vector-based and can be resized more cleanly.

How do layer masks remove part of an image without deleting it in Photoshop?

A layer mask hides or reveals areas of a layer using black, white, and gray, so the original pixels remain editable.

What is the best way to save a Photoshop design for print and for the web?

Save an editable PSD master file, export a high-resolution PDF or TIFF for print, and use optimized JPEG, PNG, or WebP files for the web.

Free Course Image Adobe Photoshop for beginners

Free online course Adobe Photoshop for beginners

Duration of the online course: 7 hours and 57 minutes

4.9

(105)

Build job-ready photo editing skills fast with this free Photoshop course—master layers, selections, masks, and export settings for print and web.

In this free course, learn about

Navigate Photoshop interface: tools, cursor behavior, panels, and workspace customization
Raster image fundamentals: pixels, image size vs dimensions, resolution/DPI for print vs screen
Work confidently with layers: stacking, organizing, layer panel purpose, and non-destructive editing
Use selections to isolate/modify areas; understand what selection tools are for
Copy/paste and transform artwork: scale, rotate, distort with Free Transform and related tools
Paint and edit with brushes and eraser; locate brush presets and manage brush settings
Masking for non-destructive removal and edits using layer masks
Create vector shapes and paths: Shape tools vs marquees; Pen tool for precise path-based design
Typography basics: type tool, editing type, duplicating via Alt-drag, and type in layouts
Apply layer styles and blending modes to create effects and control how layers interact
Use Smart Objects and adjustment layers for editable transformations, filters, and color corrections
Export and save correctly: PSD/PDF handling, save for print, and save for web formats
Build beginner projects: paper effect, illustration, origami bird decoration/logo, and web banner adaptation
Work smarter: manage document complexity, organize assets, and choose efficient workflows

About the free online course

Step into image editing with confidence and learn how to work in Photoshop without feeling overwhelmed. This beginner-friendly course is designed to help you move from clicking around to making intentional, professional-looking edits. You will get comfortable navigating the interface, organizing your workspace, and understanding how Photoshop thinks so everyday tasks become predictable and easy to repeat.

You will develop essential design and photo editing skills by practicing the core tools used in real projects. Learn how to create clean selections, transform elements, paint with brushes, and combine shapes and type to build simple compositions. You will also gain a clear understanding of raster images, document size, resolution, and color, so your work looks sharp whether it is on a screen or on paper.

A major focus is working non-destructively, which is key to editing efficiently and keeping full control over your results. You will learn to use layers, masks, Smart Objects, blending modes, adjustment layers, and filters in a way that protects your original image while still letting you experiment. This workflow not only improves quality, it also saves time when clients or teammates request changes.

Throughout the course you will apply your skills to creative mini-projects that build your confidence and help you think like a designer. As you practice, you will also learn how to manage complexity, keep files organized, and make smart decisions that speed up your editing process. By the end, you will be able to start a document correctly, build a composition with text and graphics, and refine images with color and tonal adjustments.

Finally, you will learn how to save and export correctly for different goals. Whether you need print-ready output or optimized assets for the web, you will know which settings matter, how to avoid common quality issues, and how to deliver files that look polished. If you want a free online course that builds a solid Photoshop foundation for design, content creation, and entry-level creative work, this is a strong place to begin.

Course content

Video class: The Complete beginners guide to Adobe Photoshop | Course overview & breakdown 04m
Exercise: What is the main project focus in this beginner Photoshop course?

Video class: Interface Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Ep1/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 12m
Exercise: What is the main factor affecting what the mouse cursor looks like in Photoshop?
Video class: Panels & Workspaces in Adobe Photoshop Ep2/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 09m
Exercise: How can you create a custom workspace in Adobe Photoshop?
Video class: Raster Image principles in Adobe Photoshop Ep3/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 04m
Exercise: What is a raster image in Photoshop?
Video class: Image size, Dimension, & Resolution in Adobe Photoshop Ep4/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 14m
Exercise: What does 300 DPI represent in image processing?
Video class: Layers in Adobe Photoshop Ep5/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 24m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the layers panel in Photoshop?
Video class: Common file types in Adobe Photoshop Ep6/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 09m
Exercise: Can Photoshop handle PDF files?

Video class: Colour in Adobe Photoshop Ep7/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 17m
Exercise: What Photoshop feature allows you to quickly swap the foreground and background color?
Video class: 10 Handy Tips for beginners to Adobe Photoshop Ep8/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 17m
Exercise: What is the shortcut for undoing multiple steps in Photoshop?
Video class: Making selections in Adobe Photoshop Ep9/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 20m
Exercise: What is the primary function of selection tools in Photoshop?
Video class: Copy & paste in Adobe Photoshop Ep10/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 12m
Exercise: What is the keyboard shortcut for pasting in Photoshop?
Video class: Transform tools in Adobe Photoshop Ep11/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 12m
Exercise: Which tool allows transforming objects by scaling, rotating, and distorting in Photoshop?

Video class: Using brushes in Adobe Photoshop Ep12/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 20m
Exercise: Where is the brush preset toggle located?
Video class: Eraser tool & Layer masking Ep13/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 17m
Exercise: What is a non-destructive way to remove parts of an image in Photoshop?
Video class: Shape tool in Adobe Photoshop Ep14/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 13m
Exercise: What is the advantage of using the shape tool in Photoshop over the marquee tool?

Video class: Type principals in Adobe Photoshop Ep15/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 20m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the type tool in Photoshop?
Video class: Layer styles in Adobe Photoshop Ep16/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 14m
Exercise: What is the purpose of the layer styles function in Photoshop?
Video class: Paths & the Pen tool in Adobe Photoshop Ep17/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 20m
Exercise: Which tool in Photoshop is specifically used to draw and modify paths, offering unique shape creation capabilities?
Video class: Smart objects in Adobe Photoshop Ep18/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 11m
Exercise: What is the main advantage of using Smart Objects in Photoshop?

Video class: Colour adjustments in Adobe Photoshop Ep19/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 09m
Exercise: How can you apply color adjustments in Photoshop on a raster image layer?
Video class: Adjustment layers in Photoshop Ep20/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 07m
Exercise: What is an adjustment layer?
Video class: Filters in Photoshop Ep21/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 08m
Video class: Blending modes in Adobe Photoshop Ep22/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 08m

Video class: Saving in Photoshop Ep23/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 08m
Video class: Setting up a document Ep24/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 09m

Video class: 3D paper type effect Ep25/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 22m
Video class: Rainbow & clouds illustration Ep26/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 19m
Video class: Manage complexity and working smart Ep27/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 12m
Video class: Decorating an origami paper bird Ep28/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 22m
Video class: Create a origami bird logo Ep29/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 22m

Video class: Using type in Photoshop Ep30/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 09m
Exercise: What happens when you hold Alt and drag a selected type element with the move tool active?
Video class: Save for print in Adobe Photoshop Ep31/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 05m
Video class: Adapt a print design for a web banner Ep32/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 23m
Video class: Save for web in Adobe Photoshop Ep33/33 [Adobe Photoshop for Beginners] 08m

Learn aboutAdobe Photoshop

Explore free online Adobe Photoshop courses and build practical photo editing, graphic design, retouching, and digital art skills at your own pace. Learn essential tools, layers, masks, filters, and professional workflows through beginner-friendly lessons. Enroll today, complete your training online, and earn a certificate to showcase your Photoshop skills.