Explanation of Different Color Modes in Photoshop

1: Bitmap

The bitmap is used when you need only White and Black color not even the slightest part of Gray is allowed. It is
just 1 bit per channel so if you are using 16 or 32 bit per channel image, you need to convert an image first to 8 bit
per channel This works perfectly when you are dealing with a high contrast image like a text document. You can
make the text appear bolder and clear once you convert the image to Bitmap mode from RGB mode.

To convert an image to Bitmap, you must convert it first to Grayscale mode. You can do it
by Image>Mode>Bitmap.

2: Grayscale

In this mode, Black, White, and Gray are allowed. This mode is just an extended form of Bitmap mode. 8 bits
grayscale mode contains 28 shades i.e. 256, 16 bits grayscale mode contains 2^16 shades i.e. 65536, and 32 bits
grayscale mode contains 2^32 shades i.e. 4294967296 shades.

You can set this mode by Image>Mode>Grayscale.

3: RGB

This is a universal mode which your desktop and camera use. RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue so it shows
colors as a mixture of Red, Green, and Blue on a scale of 0 to 255 i.e. 256 shades. So total color that you can
achieve is 256 x 256 x 256 i.e. 16777216 (16 million approx.).

For example, a pure Red has an RGB value of R=255, B=0, and G=0.

You can change to this mode by going to Image>Mode>RGB

4: CMYK

This mode is used in printers whether it inkjet, commercial, or digital press. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta,
Yellow, and Black.

This mode has lesser shades than RGB and whenever you switch from RGB to CMYK, you’ll see that little bit
color fades away. This is the only reason, printer prints a less vivid image as compared to what we see on our
desktop.

To use this mode, you can go to Image>Mode>CMYK.

 5: Lab Color

This mode is based on how human eyes can see a color regardless of the mode RGB, CMYK etc. It eliminates all
the colors that the human eye cannot detect.

This mode may look so promising but its biggest advantage is its biggest disadvantage. Sometimes you’ll struggle
to create a color that you want in this mode as this mode limits color.

To use this mode, go to Image>Mode>Lab Color

Different color modes:

1. RGB mode (millions of colors)
2. CMYK mode (four-printed colors)
3. Index mode (256 colors)
4. Grayscale mode (256 grays)
5. Bitmap mode (2 colors)
The color mode or image mode determines how colors combine based on the number of channels in a color model. Different
color modes result in different levels of color detail and file size. For instance, use CMYK color mode for images in a full-
color print brochure, and use RGB color mode for images in web or e-mail to reduce file size while maintaining color
integrity.
RGB Color mode

Photoshop RGB Color mode uses the RGB model, assigning an intensity value to each pixel. In 8-bits-per-channel images,
the intensity values range from 0 (black) to 255 (white) for each of the RGB (red, green, blue) components in a color image.
For example, a bright red color has an R value of 246, a G value of 20, and a B value of 50. When the values of all three
components are equal, the result is a shade of neutral gray. When the values of all components are 255, the result is pure
white; when the values are 0, pure black.
RGB images use three colors, or channels, to reproduce colors on screen. In 8-bits-per-channel images, the three channels
translate to 24 (8 bits x 3 channels) bits of color information per pixel. With 24-bit images, the three channels can reproduce
up to 16.7 million colors per pixel. With 48-bit (16-bits-per-channel) and 96-bit (32-bits-per-channel) images, even more
colors can be reproduced per pixel. In addition to being the default mode for new Photoshop images, the RGB model is used
by computer monitors to display colors. This means that when working in color modes other than RGB, such as CMYK,
Photoshop converts the CMYK image to RGB for display on screen.
Although RGB is a standard color model, the exact range of colors represented can vary, depending on the application or
display device. The RGB Color mode in Photoshop varies according to the working space setting that you specify in
the Color Settings dialog box.

CMYK Color mode

In the CMYK mode, each pixel is assigned a percentage value for each of the process inks. The lightest (highlight) colors are
assigned small percentages of process ink colors; the darker (shadow) colors higher percentages. For example, a bright red
might contain 2% cyan, 93% magenta, 90% yellow, and 0% black. In CMYK images, pure white is generated when all four
components have values of 0%.
Use the CMYK mode when preparing an image to be printed using process colors. Converting an RGB image into CMYK
creates a color separation. If you start with an RGB image, it’s best to edit first in RGB and then convert to CMYK at the end
of your editing process. In RGB mode, you can use the Proof Setup commands to simulate the effects of a CMYK
conversion without changing the actual image data. You can also use CMYK mode to work directly with CMYK images
scanned or imported from high-end systems.
Although CMYK is a standard color model, the exact range of colors represented can vary, depending on the press and
printing conditions. The CMYK Color mode in Photoshop varies according to the working space setting that you specify in
the Color Settings dialog box.

Color mode
The CIE L*a*b* color model (Lab) is based on the human perception of color. The numeric values in Lab describe all the
colors that a person with normal vision sees. Because Lab describes how a color looks rather than how much of a particular
colorant is needed for a device (such as a monitor, desktop printer, or digital camera) to produce colors, Lab is considered to
be a device-independent color model. Color management systems use Lab as a color reference to predictably transform a
color from one color space to another color space.
The Lab Color mode has a lightness component (L) that can range from 0 to 100. In the Adobe Color Picker and Color panel,
the a component (green-red axis) and the b component (blue-yellow axis) can range from +127 to –128.
Lab images can be saved in Photoshop, Photoshop EPS, Large Document Format (PSB), Photoshop PDF, Photoshop Raw,
TIFF, Photoshop DCS 1.0, or Photoshop DCS 2.0 formats. You can save 48-bit (16-bits-per-channel) Lab images in
Photoshop, Large Document Format (PSB), Photoshop PDF, Photoshop Raw, or TIFF formats.
Note:
The DCS 1.0 and DCS 2.0 formats convert the file to CMYK when opened.
Grayscale mode
Grayscale mode uses different shades of gray in an image. In 8-bit images, there can be up to 256 shades of gray. Every pixel
of a grayscale image has a brightness value ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white). In 16-and 32-bit images, the number of
shades in an image is much greater than in 8-bit images.
Grayscale values can also be measured as percentages of black ink coverage (0% is equal to white, 100% to black).
Grayscale mode uses the range defined by the working space setting that you specify in the Color Settings dialog box.

Bitmap mode
Bitmap mode uses one of two color values (black or white) to represent the pixels in an image. Images in Bitmap mode are
called bitmapped 1-bit images because they have a bit depth of 1.
Duotone mode
Duotone mode creates monotone, duotone (two-color), tritone (three-color), and quadtone (four-color) grayscale images
using one to four custom inks.
Indexed Color mode
Indexed Color mode produces 8-bit image files with up to 256 colors. When converting to indexed color, Photoshop builds
a color lookup table (CLUT), which stores and indexes the colors in the image. If a color in the original image does not
appear in the table, the program chooses the closest one or uses dithering to simulate the color using available colors.
Although its palette of colors is limited, indexed color can reduce file size yet maintain the visual quality needed for
multimedia presentations, web pages, and the like. Limited editing is available in this mode. For extensive editing, you
should convert temporarily to RGB mode. Indexed color files can be saved in Photoshop, BMP, DICOM (Digital Imaging
and Communications in Medicine), GIF, Photoshop EPS, Large Document Format (PSB), PCX, Photoshop PDF, Photoshop
Raw, Photoshop 2.0, PICT, PNG, Targa®, or TIFF formats.
Multichannel mode
Multichannel mode images contain 256 levels of gray in each channel and are useful for specialized printing. Multichannel
mode images can be saved in Photoshop, Large Document Format (PSB), Photoshop 2.0, Photoshop Raw, or Photoshop DCS
2.0 formats.
 These guidelines apply when converting images to Multichannel mode:
 Layers are unsupported and therefore flattened.
 Color channels in the original image become spot color channels in the converted image.
 Converting a CMYK image to Multichannel mode creates cyan, magenta, yellow, and black spot channels.
 Converting an RGB image to Multichannel mode creates cyan, magenta, and yellow spot channels.
 Deleting a channel from an RGB, CMYK, or Lab image automatically converts the image to Multichannel mode,
flattening layers.
 To export a multichannel image, save it in Photoshop DCS 2.0 format.
Note:
Indexed Color and 32-bit images cannot be converted to Multichannel mode.

About pixel dimensions and printed image resolution

Pixel dimensions measure the total number of pixels along an image’s width and height. Resolution is the fineness of detail in
a bitmap image and is measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The more pixels per inch, the greater the resolution. Generally, an
image with a higher resolution produces a better printed image quality.

Unless an image is resampled (see Resampling), the amount of image data remains constant as you change either
the print dimensions or resolution. For example, if you change the resolution of a file, its width and height change
accordingly to maintain the same amount of image data.
In Photoshop, you can see the relationship between image size and resolution in the Image Size dialog box
(choose Image > Image Size). Deselect Resample Image, because you don’t want to change the amount of image
data in your photo. Then change width, height, or resolution. As you change one value, the other two values
change accordingly. With the Resample Image option selected, you can change the resolution, width, and height
of the image to suit your printing or onscreen needs.
 Pixel dimensions equal document (output) size times resolution.
A. Original dimensions and resolution B. Decreasing the resolution without changing pixel
dimensions (no resampling) C. Decreasing the resolution at same document size decreases
pixel dimensions (resampling).

Toolbox in the Expert mode

In the Expert mode, the toolbox is richer than the toolbox in the Quick mode. The tools are organized in the following logical
groups:
 View
 Select
 Enhance
 Draw
 Modify
Expert mode toolbox

A. View tools B. Select tools C. Enhance tools D. Draw tools E. Modify tools F. Color 

 

Tools in the View group of the Expert mode toolbox

Zoom tool (Z)

Zooms in or zooms out your image. The related tools shown in the Tool Options bar are Zoom In and Zoom Out. For more
information about the Zoom tool, see Zoom in or out.
Hand tool (H)
Moves your photo in the Photoshop Elements workspace. You can drag your image using this tool. For more information,
see Viewing images in Expert or Quick modes. 
Tools in the Select group of the Expert mode toolbox

Move tool (V)

Moves selections or layers. For more information, see Move a selection.
Rectangular Marquee tool (M)
Selects an area in your image in a rectangular box. Hold the Shift key to make the selection a square.
Elliptical Marquee tool (M)
Selects an area in your image in an elliptical shape. Hold the Shift key to make the selection a circle.
Lasso tool (L)
Selects an area in your image in a free-form shape. 
Magnetic Lasso tool (L)
Selects part of an image by selecting the high-contrast edges around a shape.
Polygonal Lasso tool (L)
Draws straight-edged segments of a selection border.
Quick Selection tool (A)
Makes a selection based on color and texture similarity when you click or click-drag the area you want to select. 
Selection Brush tool (A)
Selects the area where you paint with the brush.
Magic Wand tool (A)
Selects the pixels with similar colors in a single click.
Refine Selection Brush tool (A)
Adds or removes areas to and from a selection by automatically detecting the edges. For more information on this tool,
see Edit and refine selections. 
Auto Selection tool (A)
Automatically makes a selection when you draw a shape around the object you want to select. 
For more information on selection, see Use tools to make selections.

Tools in the Enhance group of the Expert mode toolbox

Eye tool (Y)

Removes the red eye effect, pet eye effect, and corrects closed eyes in your photos. For more information about the tool,
see Precisely remove red eye, Remove the Pet Eye effect, and Correct closed eyes.
Spot Healing Brush tool (J)
Removes spots from your photos. For more information about this tool, see Remove spots and unwanted objects. 
Healing Brush tool (J)
Removes spots from your photo by selecting a part of your photo as the reference point.
Smart Brush tool (F)
Applies tonal and color adjustments to specific areas of a photo.
Detail Smart Brush tool (F)
Paints the adjustment to specific areas of a photo just like a painting tool.
For more information about Smart brushes, see Adjust color and tonality using the Smart Brush tools and Apply the Smart
Brush tools.
Clone Stamp tool (S)
Paints with an image sample, which you can use to duplicate objects, remove image imperfections, or paint over objects in
your photo. You can also clone part of an image to another image. For more information, see Clone images or areas in an
image.
Pattern Stamp tool (S)
Paints with a pattern defined from your image, another image, or a preset pattern. For more information, see Use the Pattern
Stamp tool.
Blur tool (R)
Softens hard edges or areas in an image by reducing details. For more information, see Blur or soften edges. 
Sharpen tool (R)
Sharpens a photo by focusing soft edges in the photo to increase clarity or focus. For more information on sharpening,
see Sharpen an image.
Smudge tool (R)
Simulates the actions of dragging a finger through wet paint. The tool picks up color where the stroke begins and pushes it in
the direction you drag. For more information on the tool, see Use the Smudge tool.
Sponge tool (O)
Changes the color saturation of an area. For more information on how to use the tool, see Adjust saturation in isolated areas.
Dodge tool (O)
Lightens areas of an image. You can use the tool to bring out details in shadows. For more information on the Dodge tool,
see Quickly lighten or darken isolated areas.
Burn tool (O)
Darkens areas of the image. You can use the tool to bring out details in highlights. For more information on the Burn tool,
see Quickly lighten or darken isolated areas.

Tools in the Draw group of the Expert mode toolbox

Brush tool (B)

Creates soft or hard strokes of color. You can use it to simulate airbrush techniques. For more information about the tool,
see Use the Brush tool. 
Impressionist Brush tool (B)
Changes the existing colors and details in your image so your photo looks like it was painted using stylized brush strokes. For
more information about the tool, see Use the Impressionist Brush tool.
Color Replacement tool (B)
Simplifies replacing specific colors in your image. For more information about the tool, see Replace color in an image.
Eraser tool (E)
Erases the pixels in the image as you drag through them. For more information about the tool, see Use the Eraser Tool.
Background Eraser tool (E)
Turns color pixels to transparent pixels so that you can easily remove an object from its background. For more information
about the tool, see Use the Background Eraser tool.
Magic Eraser tool (E)
Changes all similar pixels when you drag within a photo. For more information, see Use the Magic Eraser tool.
Paint Bucket tool (K)
Fills an area that is similar in color value to the pixels you click. For more information about the tool, see Use the Paint
Bucket tool. 
Pattern tool (K)
Applies a fill or a pattern to your image, instead of using one of the brush tools. For more information, see Fill a layer with a
color or pattern.
Gradient tool (G)
Fills in an area of image by a gradient. For more information, see Apply a gradient.
Color Picker tool (I)
Copies or samples the color of an area in your photo to set a new foreground or background color. For more information
about the tool, see Choose a color with the Eyedropper tool.
Custom Shape tool (U)
Provides different shape options for you to draw. When you select the Custom Shape tool, you can access these shapes in the
Tool Options bar. 
The other shape-related tools available in the Tool Options bar are:
 Rectangle
 Rounded Rectangle
 Ellipse
 Polygon
 Star
 Line
 Selection
For more information about creating shapes, see Create shapes.
Type tool (T)
Creates and edits text on your image.
The other type-related tools available in the Tool Options bar are:
 Vertical Type 
 Horizontal Type Mask  
 Vertical Type Mask 
 Text on Selection 
 Text on Shape 
 Text on Custom Path
For more information about adding and editing text on your image, see Add text.
Pencil tool (N)
Creates hard-edged freehand lines. For more information, see Use the Pencil tool.

Tools in the Modify group of the Expert mode toolbox

Crop tool (C)

Trims the part of an image according to the selection. For more information about the tool, see Crop an image.
Cookie Cutter tool (C)
Crops a photo into a shape that you choose. For more information about the tool, see Use the Cookie Cutter tool.
Perspective Crop tool (C)
Transforms the perspective of a picture while cropping it. For more information about the tool, see Perspective Crop tool.
Recompose tool (W)
Intelligently resizes photos without changing important visual content, such as people, building, animals, and more. For more
information, see Recompose a photo in Expert mode. For a step-by-step, guided method to recompose, see Recompose a
photo in Guided mode.
Content-Aware Move tool (Q)
Selects an object in your photo and moves the selection to a different location, or extends it. For more information about the
tool, see Move and reposition objects.
Straighten tool (P)
Realigns an image vertically or horizontally. For more information about the tool, see Straighten an image.

Use a tool

To use a tool in the Quick or Expert mode, first select the tool from the toolbox. Next, use the various options in the Tool
Options bar to accomplish your task.  
 Select a tool

Do one of the following:

 Click a tool in the toolbox.
 Press the keyboard shortcut for the tool. For example, press B to select the Brush tool. The keyboard shortcut for a
tool is displayed in the tool tip. You can also find a list of helpful keyboard shortcuts in Keys for selecting tools.
Note:
You cannot deselect a tool—once you select a tool, it remains selected until you select a different tool. For example, if
you’ve selected the Lasso tool, and you want to click your image without selecting anything, select the Hand tool.

Select options from the Tool Options bar

The Tool Options bar appears at the bottom in the Photoshop Elements window. It displays the options for a selected tool.
For example, if you select the Crop tool from the toolbox, you find related tools (Cookie Cutter tool and Perspective Crop
tool), and other options in the Tool Options bar.
Click here to watch a video on how to use the Crop tool. The video explains the options available in the Tool Options bar for
the Crop tool.
Note:
If the Tool Options bar is not visible, click the tool icon in the toolbox or click Tool Options in the Taskbar. 

Tool Options bar for the Lasso tool

A. Active tool icon B. Related tools C. Additional options 

Edit tool preferences

You can modify the default preferences for tools. For example, you can hide the tool tips or change the appearance of a tool
pointer.

Edit General preferences

1. Do one of the following:

o In Windows, choose Edit > Preferences > General.
o In Mac, choose Photoshop Elements > Preferences > General.
2. Set one or more of the following options:
o Select Show Tool Tips to show tool tips.
o Select Use Shift Key for Tool Switch to cycle through a set of hidden tools by holding down
the Shift key. When this option is deselected, you can cycle through a set of tool options by pressing the keyboard
shortcut (without holding down Shift). For example, pressing B on your keyboard repeatedly cycles through all the Brush
tool options (Brush, Impressionist Brush, and Color Replacement tools).
o Select Select Move tool After Committing Text to select the Move tool after you use the Type tool to add
text to your photo.
3. Click OK.

Set the appearance of a pointer

1. Do one of the following:

o In Windows, choose Edit > Preferences > Display & Cursors.
o In Mac, choose Photoshop Elements > Preferences > Display & Cursors.
2. Select a setting for the painting cursors:
o Standard Displays pointers as tool icons
o Precise Displays pointers as cross-hairs
o Normal Brush Tip Displays pointers as circles at 50% of the size you specify for the brush
o Full Size Brush Tip Displays pointers as circles at the full size you specify for the brush
o Show Crosshair In Brush Tip Displays cross-hairs in the circles when you choose either Normal Brush
Tip or Full Size Brush Tip
3. Select a setting for other cursors:
o Standard Displays pointers as tool icons
o Precise Displays pointers as cross-hairs
4. Click OK.

Resize or change the hardness of painting cursors by dragging (Windows only)

You can resize or change the hardness of a painting cursor by dragging in the image. As you drag, you preview both the size
and hardness of the painting tool.
 To resize a cursor, right-click + press Alt, and drag to the left or right.
 To change the hardness of a cursor, right-click + press Alt, and drag up or down.

Reset tool settings to default

You can restore the default settings of a selected tool or all tools.
1. Select a tool from the toolbox.
Alternatively, press keyboard shortcut for the tool. 

2. Click   to open the pop-up menu in the Tool Options bar and do one of the following:
o To reset the selected tool, click Reset Tool.
o To reset all the tools, click Rest All Tools.

References:
https://tricky-photoshop.com/explanation-different-color-modes-photoshop/

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/tools.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/image-size-resolution.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/color-modes.html