Photoshop Basics

OK to start: Open the program

Just kidding. Sort of.

But seriously, let's focus on doing our template at the Instagram size. While Instagram has updated so pictures of any size can be uploaded now, there is still a specific size that will be best to be viewed on smart phones. If you will be using Photoshop to work your pictures specifically for Instagram, this will be beneficial for you.

With the new upgrades, you want to make your canvas size 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels.

This screen will pop up when you go to make a new page. Just make sure to change the drop boxes on the right side to pixels in order to get the correct format. 

Once you have your layout all set, the next thing I have picked up in my research to do is unlocking the background. The reason for doing this is to allow more movability in the graphic you are making and freedom. By unlocking the background, you have the option to get rid of the blank color template and start fresh. 

Right click on the locked background layer and select the option Layer From Background. It will automatically make the name "Layer 0" and successfully unlock it so you can do what you please with your base of your graphic.

Let's look at the basics on the toolbar we will be using primarily:

VITAL TOOL: First and most important, this tool allows you to grab a section and move it


VITAL TOOL: Third down on the bar is the lasso. This is will be necessary later on in our learning. It can just be a normal lasso tool or a magnetic lasso, which if you are like me, you'll fall in love with.

VITAL TOOL: Fifth down is the crop tool that allows you to take extra space off pictures
Sixth down is the eye dropper tool which comes in handy if you want to make sure to have the same exact color throughout your graphic.














VITAL TOOL: Second down in this section is the text tool which will become your best friend if you are making a graphic that needs words.








This last tool allows you to work with two different colors and leave them on your swatch if you plan to use them in the future also.

If you would like an explanation of the entire tool bar in detail check out this helpful site here.

Another basic is how to work the layers when you have more than one item on your graphic.

For the sake of the demonstration, I have added pictures to show the difference in layers.

The further the down the picture, text, what have you is, the more it will be covered in the graphic. For example, Layer 4 will show up on my graphic over Layer 1. One way you can hide a layer is by clicking the eye next to the picture. This will keep the layer in the graphic, but make it invisible. This will become important when we start graphics that are essentially fill in the blank.

My purpose for learning Photoshop is to use for my future working in sports. I will be demonstrating different ways to use Photoshop through several Player Graphics, Pregame Graphics and GIFs.