In this lesson you will learn to crop an image to remove parts you don't want. You will complete one practical task.

1. Watch this YouTube video.

2. Load Photoshop, then open any photograph of your choice (or you can save the images I used in the video from the 'lesson resources' below). Remember to experiment with the different ways to crop, including holding down the shift key on your keyboard whilst you drag on a selection to create exact square sizes.

3. Save your creation as a JPEG (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As).

Lesson Resources

You can use your own image or you can use mine. Right-click on the image below to save it to your device, then open it in Photoshop. The images are copyright free (from Pixabay) and are the ones I used in my YouTube video above.

In this lesson you will learn to use an adjustment layer to transform a colourful image into black and white. You will complete one practical task. You will learn the absolute basics of how to change an image to black and white.

1. Watch this YouTube video.

2. Load Photoshop, then open any photograph of your choice (or you can save the images I used in the video from the 'lesson resources' below). Remember to experiment with the different levels within the black and white adjustment layer to see what they do.

3. If you are feeling very brave, you can practice using some of the other adjustment layers to see what effect they have on an image.

4. Save your creations as a JPEG (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As).

5. Watch a more advanced video tutorial by clicking here to learn how to use this technique properly.

Lesson Resources

You can use your own image or you can use mine. Right-click on the image below to save it to your device, then open it in Photoshop. The images are copyright free (from Pixabay) and are the ones I used in my YouTube video above.

During this lesson you will learn how to use the Text Tool.

1. Watch this YouTube video which shows you how to use the text tool.

2. Load Photoshop, then type any word using the text tool. Set the style, size and colour. Then experiment with the different layer styles, such as adding a drop shadow effect or pattern overlay (remember to access this you need double click on the text layer). Play around with all the options in the layer style to see what they can do.

3. Export your creations as a PNG to retain the transparent background or a JPEG to keep the background white (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As).

During this lesson you will learn how to create and edit shapes.

1. Watch this YouTube video which shows you how to use the text tool.

2. Load Photoshop, then using the rectangle tool, create a rectangle. Edit the rectangle by changing the fill and stroke colour and stroke thickness. Then experiment with the different layer styles, such as adding a drop shadow effect. (remember to access this you need double click on the text layer). Play around with all the options in the layer style to see what they can do.

3. Export your creations as a PNG to retain the transparent background or a JPEG to keep the background white (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As).

In this activity you will learn how to quickly remove the background of an image. This is a 'quick fix' and there are problems using this technique. You will learn a more professional way how to do this later when you become more confident at using Photoshop.

1. Watch this YouTube video.

2. Load Photoshop, then open any photograph of your choice (or you can save the images I used in the video from the 'lesson resources' below).

3. Save your creation as a PNG to keep the transparent background. (File - Export - Quick export as a PNG)

Lesson Resources

You can use your own image or you can use mine. Right-click on the image below to save it to your device, then open it in Photoshop. The images are copyright free (from Pixabay) and are the ones I used in my YouTube video above.

In this activity you will learn how to add a gradient or colour fill to an image.

1. Watch this YouTube video.

2. Load Photoshop, then open any photograph of your choice (or you can save the images I used in the video from the 'lesson resources' below).

3. Save your creation as a JPEG. (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As)

Lesson Resources

You can use your own image or you can use mine. Right-click on the image below to save it to your device, then open it in Photoshop. The images are copyright free (from Pixabay) and are the ones I used in my YouTube video above.

In this activity you will learn how to create a simple masthead using a quick background removal technique. This technique will not work on all photographs. You will need to choose one that has a simple background.

1. Watch this YouTube video.

2. Load Photoshop, then open any photograph of your choice (or you can save the image I used in the video from the 'lesson resources' below). Duplicate this layer. Remove the background from the top layer image. Add the masthead text. Move the masthead layer so it is in between the two image layers.

3. Experiment editing the masthead text by adding a drop shadow, or pattern for example. Remind yourself how to do this by watching this video.

4. Save your creation as a JPEG. (File - Save As, Or File - Export - Export As)

Lesson Resources

You can use your own image or you can use mine. Right-click on the image below to save it to your device, then open it in Photoshop. The images are copyright free (from Pixabay) and are the ones I used in my YouTube video above.

Congratulations! You have learnt enough Photoshop skills to start creating real media products. The following activities will focus your attention on using Photoshop to create media products that meet a design brief. Combine the skills you have just learnt with some new ones to complete each activity. Click on the link below and follow the tutorials: