1.

Basics
Holding down space bar + mouse movements: pan Ctrl +: Zoom in Ctrl -: Zoom Out Ctrl 0 (From Numpad): Fits to screen F: Screen mode Tab: Toggles hide all pallets and tools Make sure Auto-Select is checked. Make sure you're on the appropriate tool for the action required If you're looking for something o Try options bar o Try right clicking o Try a window made for that You can just drag and drop pictures from windows to add it to the area Holding down shift, alt, or ctrl on about any tool will adjust it in some way History is useful for.. checking your history!

2. Layers
Smart objects are able to retain pixel detail but cannot be broken up (cropped and the likes) In general, shift will constrain things Rasterize is to un-smart object it Canvas vs Image o Change canvas doesn't change dimensions of objects o Image does change dimensions of object Don't merge everything together o Instead use folders o To move entire groups, go to auto-select and choose group instead of layer o Or you can just link them all together When you link try to link the group in there also so you can just select group For every tool, if you click it and hold it will show other tools

3. Selection
Deselect sample all layers if you want layer specific edits Contiguous = touching Whenever there is a single solid color, this is a good place for the magic wand tool Shift, Control, Alt will add or subtract or cut to the selection. With the lasso tool, clicking delete will get rid of the latest point With the lasso tool, always start in the center To unlock a layer, rename it.

4. Color
Everything below the property color adjustment layer gets adjusted In the focus of a picture you want to focus on a few things o The lightest area is actually white (value) o The darkest area is actually black (value) o The mid area is neutral gray (chroma) o Reds are red, yellows are yellow (Hue) Make sure Curves-> Auto Options -> Enhance Per channel contrast is selected o You can use Curve's three white, grey, black eye droppers o Holding alt with each eyedropper will isolate 100% color pixels.then

5. Removing Elements
Clone stamp tool (and healing brush) o Alt for base, regular for paint o Use near points for base Dust to scratches tool removes random white elements like from old photos Brush hotkeys o ] makes it bigger o [ makes it smaller Active regions are magical When you're fixing things, start with the tool with the most automation and gradually become more and more manual if it doesn't work. TIF is used for professional printers. o LZW Save for web o Compromise between quality and size Standard for printing is 300 pixels per inch o 72 pixels per inch is standard for electronic display

6. Beauty Retouching

7. Compositing
PROBLEM SOLVING o Are you on the wrong layer? o Does it have something to do with the active region? o Are you on the right tool? o Are the options to the tool set right? Refine edge + the lasso tool toolbox Ctrl J Paste in place To get two picture's colors to match you want to match the blacks, the whites, and the neutrals.