Week 9 - Introduction to Photoshop

Learn the fundamentals of photoshop

Learn the fundamentals of photo editing and retouching using Adobe Photoshop, including layers, masks, healing tools, and AI-powered features.

Dive In

What You’ll Learn This Week

Lesson 9 - Photoshop for Photo Editing & Retouching

This lesson introduces Adobe Photoshop as a powerful photo editing and retouching tool. You’ll learn how Photoshop works using layers, how to make non-destructive edits, clean up images, retouch skin naturally, and use modern AI tools like Generative Fill.

By the end of this lesson, you will understand:

  • What Photoshop is and how it differs from Lightroom

  • How Photoshop’s layer-based system works

  • How to crop and reframe images properly

  • How to use adjustment layers for non-destructive edits

  • The difference between Spot Healing and Healing Brush tools

  • Best practices for natural-looking skin retouching

  • How brushes work (size, hardness, opacity, flow)

  • How to use layer masks for selective editing

  • How to invert masks for controlled adjustments

  • How Photoshop’s Generative Fill AI tool works

Lesson 9 Downloads

These are the digital versions of the handouts you’ll receive in class. Download and save these to your computer for easy reference.

Download Lesson 9 PDF
Download Photoshop Tools Cheat Sheet

If you misplace your printed handout, this is your backup copy.

🎥 Lesson 9 Video

This is your Lesson 9 video walkthrough. Watch this before class to prepare, or revisit it afterward to reinforce what we covered in the studio.

Take notes as you watch. Don’t worry about mastering everything at once - we’ll build this skill together through hands-on practice.

Video Block
Double-click here to add a video by URL or embed code. Learn more

Week 9 Assignment

This assignment helps you practice basic Photoshop editing and retouching techniques while keeping your images natural and non-destructive.

Your goals this week are to:

  • Open and organize an image in Photoshop

  • Use the Crop Tool to improve composition

  • Apply at least two adjustment layers

  • Perform basic cleanup using Spot Healing and Healing Brush tools

  • Retouch skin naturally without removing texture

  • Use brushes with controlled opacity and softness

  • Apply a layer mask to limit an edit to specific areas

  • Experiment with Generative Fill for cleanup or creative use

When your assignment file is added here, you’ll also find:

  • Full instructions

  • What to submit

  • How to export your files (if needed)

✅ Download the assignment below once it’s available.

Download Week 9 Assignment

Next Lesson

When you're ready, continue on to the next lesson.

➡️ LESSON 10 Using Window Light for Natural Portraits