Over its 20 year history, Photoshop has proven itself to be useful for many things. One of the main applications is photo manipulation. In fact, it's photo manipulation that is meant by the colloquial term "to Photoshop". But performing a successful photo manipulation is not as easy as it sounds.So, whether you're new to the game or a seasoned photo changer, there's always room to learn and grow. I've put together a list of tips to make sure your photo manipulation skills are better than the rest.
8. Know Transform and Warp options
The "manipulation" aspect of photo manipulation involves making photography elements into something different. There are several ways to do this in Photoshop, and every technique has advantages and disadvantages of each. That is why it is important to master as much as possible from them so you can make intelligent decisions about which features are the best choice for every situation.
Changing the basic shape of an element can be done by basic transformation, special arches, doll curves, or melted.
9. Learn tablets
Are you still using a mouse or trackpad to work in Photoshop? Have you considered a better input device? Something like a graphic tablet?
Yes, usually this tablet is used for drawing and painting digital, but they are also very useful for photo manipulation work. You see, every device in Photoshop that uses a brush machine (avoiding, burning, stamp clone, painted mask, etc.) also receives pressure input from graphic tablets.
The mouse has two levels of pressure, the button down and the button goes up. That's all, fully binary input. Good quality graphics tablets have a level of pressure sensitivity of 2,048 or more! Add sensitivity to the angle of the pen, speed, and rotation of the barrel (on some models) and you have your own input device that makes the mouse feel like trying to draw using soap!
10. Stay inspired and keep practicing!
Like whatever is worth doing, photo manipulation requires training and dedication to build superior skills. One of the best ways to keep you interested and motivated is to save folder inspiration and collect examples of manipulation of photo and digital art that inspires you.
Explore sites like dribbble.com and Deviantart.com. Look at the tutorial library and courses available here at Envato Tuts + designed to help you improve the skills of manipulating your photos.
