Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular and well-known photo and graphics editing software applications. It was developed in 1988 and has since become a mainstay for users who want to edit existing photos or even create their own images and graphics.
Photoshop was originally invented in 1987 by brothers Thomas and John Knoll, who sold the distribution license to Adobe in 1988. The product was originally called Display.
Photoshop is available for Windows and Mac computers. It is considered a raster graphics editor, which means users can create and edit images and save them in one of several formats. Edit single images or large batches of images in Photoshop.
Photoshop features a layer-based editing system that lets you create and alter images with multiple overlays. Layers can be used to create shadows and other effects, and can act as filters that affect underlying colors.
Photoshop has many automation features and keyboard shortcuts to help you save time on repetitive tasks. Install filters and plug-ins, new brushes and textures, and other useful extras into Photoshop to continually enhance its functionality.
All Adobe Photoshop files use the PSD file extension.
Photoshop is a mainstay for designers, web developers, photographers, graphic artists, and many other creative professionals, as well as hobbyists.
This software is used to edit, create and retouch images and add special effects. Graphs can be created and then exported to other programs.
Use Photoshop to perform simple functions like removing blemishes from photos, or advanced photo editing and creation.
Like "Google" and "Xerox," the word "photoshop" has become a verb, although Adobe discourages this. When an image is "Photoshopped" it has the connotation that it has been manipulated to make the subject look better.
If you don't need the full power of Photoshop CC, you can consider several of Photoshop's sister applications, including Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, and Photoshop Express.
Adobe Photoshop CC can be very expensive and unaffordable for new users. If you only want to edit photos occasionally, then a tool like Photoshop Elements or Photoshop Express will suffice.
Photoshop Elements is a less powerful version of Photoshop CC. It was created for consumers who are just getting started with photo editing and want an easy way to organize, edit, create and share photos. Unlike Photoshop CC, Elements is a one-time software purchase.
Adobe provides a trial version of Elements so that you can test the functionality of the software.
Lightroom is designed for photographers who want to organize and easily work with their photo collections. You can't modify images like you can with Photoshop, but you can brighten images, adjust colors, and enhance or sharpen digital photos with the push of a button.
Lightroom currently has two versions: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic and Lightroom . Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is a renamed version of the traditional desktop Lightroom. Lightroom is a cloud-based photo service available across desktop, mobile devices, and the web.
Lightroom Classic is no longer available as a standalone product, but is included in Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plans.
Adobe Photoshop Express is the mobile version of Photoshop, available as a free app for iOS and Android devices. It can also be installed on Windows desktops with Windows 8 and above via the Microsoft Store.
It is much simpler than Photoshop CC and offers a range of basic image editing functions, such as contrast and exposure adjustments and blemish removal. You can also add text to images.
If you're just getting started with image editing, consider a free Adobe Photoshop alternative.
