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50 Excellent Digital Photography Photoshop Tutorials

By Jacob Gube, December 7th, 2008 in Tutorials | 103 Comments | Forum

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for digital-image editing and graphics creation. Photoshop’s versatility makes it a popular choice among Web designers, graphic designers, digital media artists, print designers, photographers and other professionals in design and image-editing. Whether you’re designing a business card or website or digitally enhancing an image, you can rest assured that Photoshop will give you the necessary tools to get the job done.

In this article, we focus on tutorials on digital photography. You’ll find an assortment of top-notch tutorials that deal with applying post-production techniques and effects, color correction, enhancement and photo retouching. So fire up Photoshop and try out some of these wonderful tutorials on your own photos!

Without further ado, we present you with 50 Excellent Photoshop Tutorials for Digital Photography.

Photo Effects

HDR-Style Results Using Layers in Photoshop
Learn how to achieve HDR results in Photoshop using bracketed exposures during the production process and then Photoshop layers afterwards.

How to Create Professional HDR Images
Here’s an excellent (and very popular) tutorial on creating high dynamic range (HDR) images; the author focuses on realism instead of going overboard with the application of HDR.

Photoshop HDR tutorial
This tutorial shows you how to create true HDR using bracketed exposure and Photoshop for post-production.

Using the HDR Feature in Photoshop CS2/CS3
This thorough tutorial walks you through the basic concept of HDR photography and how to use Photoshop to make your photographs pop.

How to Make Digital Photos Look like Lomo Photography
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to apply the “lomography” effect to your digital photos.

Infrared Photo Effect in Photoshop
This tutorial shows you a way to simulate the infrared effect with photos taken using point-and-shoot cameras.

Exposure blending tutorial
Create an HDR photo by blending exposures with this Photoshop tutorial.

Your photos, 300-style!
Give photographs the sepia-toned 300 movie effect.

How to Use Photoshop’s Lens Blur Tool for Tilt-Shift Fakery
Tilt-shift lenses are expensive and not very versatile. Save some money by checking out this Photoshop tutorial on how to fake tilt-shift photography.

Tilt Shift Photoshop Tutorial: How to Make Fake Miniature Scenes
Here’s another method for faking tilt-shift photography.

The Tilt-Shift Miniature Fake Technique
This tutorial walks you through the basics of picking a subject for the tilt-shift effect and using Photoshop’s blur and gradient tools to fake it.

Vignette 2.0
Give your photos a natural-looking vignette effect by following along in this Photoshop tutorial.

Adding a Diffuse Glow to Your Images
Apply diffuse glow to your photographs to create a dreamy effect with this Photoshop tutorial.

Image Enhancement and Correction

Improving Landscape Photographs
Enhance your landscape images by reading through this Photoshop tutorial.

Using Masks to Improve Landscape Images
Use the masking feature in Photoshop to improve your landscape images.

Color Correction, by the Numbers
Use CMYK values (obtained with the eyedropper tool in Photoshop) to correct colors in a photograph.

Color Correction Using Levels and Eyedroppers
In this Photoshop tutorial, you’ll see another method of correcting colors by using the levels-adjustment feature and by sampling colors with the eyedropper tool.

Enhance Your Image with Selective Color Adjustments
This tutorial uses a “non-destructive” and selective method for enhancing colors in a photograph.

Black and White Is the Key to Better Color
Temporarily convert your image to black and white to improve color enhancement methods in Photoshop.

Understanding Local Contrast Enhancement
This excellent Photoshop tutorial explains local contrast enhancement and a method for using the unsharp mask feature.

Local Contrast Enhancement
Learn the theory behind local contrast enhancement and learn a practical way of applying the method to enhance images.

Sharpening Using an Unsharp Mask
Learn the concept behind the unsharp mask feature in Photoshop to sharpen photographs.

Sharpen Those Photos: Unsharp Mask
This tutorial shares a brief history of traditional photo sharpening techniques and how to sharpen images digitally in Photoshop.

Noise Reduction by Image Averaging
Reduce image noise in Photoshop by following this in-depth tutorial.

Using the Photoshop Levels Tool
This tutorial discusses the concept behind Photoshop’s levels tool, as well as how to use it effectively to enhance photographs.

Using the Photoshop Curves Tool
In this Photoshop tutorial, you’ll learn about the curves tool in Photoshop and how to use it to improve photographs.

Advanced Photo Sharpening
This Photoshop tutorial shares a more complex method for sharpening photos using a variety of techniques such as using filters and setting threshold adjustments.

Controlled Image Sharpening
Learn another method of controlled image sharpening via this Photoshop tutorial.

Digital Blending
Learn how to enhance dynamic range by reading through this excellent Photoshop tutorial.

Gaussian Blur
Learn how to use Gaussian blur to enhance and soften photographs in Photoshop.

Lens Correction Filter in Photoshop CS2
Learn about the lens correction filter in Photoshop to fix image distortions.

Photo Manipulation and Retouching

Add Dynamic Lighting to a Flat Photograph
Add dynamic lighting to a photograph to make it pop in this Photoshop tutorial.

Getting a Grip on the Vanishing Point Filter
Learn how to use Photoshop’s vanishing point filter to extend certain areas in the photograph.

How to Stitch Photos in Photoshop
Learn a method of stitching together two photographs using Photoshop.

Super-Fast and Easy Facial Retouching
In this tutorial, you’ll learn a method for hassle-free and speedy facial retouching.

Quick and Effective Facial Photo Retouching
Here’s another method for quick and easy facial retouching.

Four Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your Pictures Pop!
This tutorial shares four simple but effective Photoshop techniques for isolating a subject.

Awesome Photo-Realistic Coloring Techniques
Learn the basics of coloring techniques via a practical example (coloring the hair of a black-and-white photograph) in this wonderful Photoshop tutorial.

Removing Objects From Photos
Learn the basics of removing objects you don’t want to be seen in your photographs by following along in this Photoshop tutorial.

Black and White with a Splash of Color
In this tutorial, you’ll see a method for the selective coloring of a black-and-white photo.

Hand-Colouring a Black-and-White Photo in Photoshop
Learn a method of manually coloring a black-and-white photo in Photoshop.

Converting a Digital Color Photo to Black and White
Here is another effective method of converting colored photographs to black and white.

Colour to Black and White Using Channel Mixer
Convert photos from color to black and white using Photoshop’s channel mixer.

Quick Fix for Cluttered Backgrounds
Cluttered backgrounds can be a distraction from the photo’s subject. Here’s an introductory-level tutorial on reducing visual clutter in the background of a photograph.

Antiquing Digital Images in Photoshop
You don’t have to wait decades for your photographs to fade in color; simulate the effect using Photoshop.

Change Hair Color Photoshop Tutorial
Learn a method of retouching a subject’s hair color via this excellent Photoshop tutorial.

Creating a Sunset Effect in Photoshop Tutorial
Give photographs taken in the middle of the day a sunset effect by following along in this Photoshop tutorial.

Photo Retouching: Spotlight Effect
In this Photoshop tutorial, you’ll learn how to highlight parts of a subject by giving the area a digitally placed, but natural-looking, spotlight.

Image Retouching: Advanced Skin Softening
Learn a method of removing skin blemishes by softening the skin using the surface blur filter in Photoshop.

Nesting Smart Objects for Multi-Mask Effects in Photoshop
Learn all about nesting smart objects in Photoshop to smoothen and sharpen details in a photo.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to check out the following Smashing Magazine articles:

About the Author

Jacob Gube is a Web developer/designer and author of Six Revisions, a blog on Web development and design. If you want to connect with the author, you can follow him on Twitter.

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Published in Tutorials, December 7th, 2008
Tags: digital, photography, photoshop, Tutorials

1.

Atomised: the web design co-operative (December 7th, 2008, 2:08 pm)

Great post, both for beginners and photoshop old hands. I’ve always found that Photoshop is immensely difficult for beginners to pick up but it also has so much depth to it that even old hands like me find so many incredible techniques out there that I don’t know about. Excellent post bringing together loads of tutorials. Nice one.
2.

Hüseyin Erkmen (December 7th, 2008, 2:11 pm)

These are really useful when you use also in corel.
3.

Musback (December 7th, 2008, 2:12 pm)

Thank you so much!, great tutorials from a great website! I enjoyed reading.
I used the LOMO-effect on the first 2 pictures you see Link [musback.wordpress.com]… Works great. Pretty much “improves” any digital still imo.
4.

Ahmet Burak Bal (December 7th, 2008, 2:28 pm)

Thank you Smashing.
5.

Impressed fan (December 7th, 2008, 3:09 pm)

You’re really incredible, when i get photoshop I’ll spend hours in your web. Thanks for all! I love your photos & designs!!
6.

Bur-Gundi (December 7th, 2008, 3:56 pm)

Absolutely smashing post, Gube you just smashed my day wit a fantastic amount of smashing tutorials. thanks smashing mag. this is so smashing.
7.

Emil (December 7th, 2008, 4:08 pm)

This is really cool ! Thanks a lot SM !!
8.

Photocritic (December 7th, 2008, 4:30 pm)

hey, thanks for featuring a couple of Photocritic tutorials :-)

- Haje
9.

Annoyed (December 7th, 2008, 5:31 pm)

Tilt Shift lenses not very versatile? Maybe someone needs to do their homework before making such outlandish claims.
10.

Jhay (December 7th, 2008, 6:06 pm)

Great!! Thanks for sharing
11.

Javier Martinez (December 7th, 2008, 6:23 pm)

I Love this blog…
12.

Therapix (December 7th, 2008, 6:30 pm)

Nice, thanks for the selection!
13.

Gonzalo (December 7th, 2008, 7:11 pm)

Excellent selection!… thanks you!
14.

Carlos (December 7th, 2008, 7:17 pm)

Great selection. Thanks!
15.

linxuan (December 7th, 2008, 8:28 pm)

great tutorial~thx
16.

Olafur (December 8th, 2008, 12:58 am)

Great blog. Thanks.
17.

Charles (December 8th, 2008, 1:51 am)

One of your best post ever ! In fact, there are so much really smashing posts, but this one is impressive. Thank you for your day to day work which is an unbeatable source of inspiration!
18.

Cynthia (December 8th, 2008, 2:45 am)

it’ a terrific collection. thank you
19.

Riccardo (December 8th, 2008, 3:58 am)

A very useful collection of tutorials. I’ll refer back to it in the future. Thanks!
20.

WebCloudStudios (December 8th, 2008, 4:39 am)

Thanks. Great collection. I was trying to collect some great links + books on digital photography.
21.

yosrysabry (December 8th, 2008, 4:43 am)

wow .. thanks a lot
22.

Ahmed Elmasry (December 8th, 2008, 5:10 am)

awesome collection, thank you
23.

Alvaro Guzman (December 8th, 2008, 6:16 am)

Thanks for featuring my vanishing point tutorial!!!
24.

Anish (December 8th, 2008, 6:41 am)

great job !
25.

Tired of Wasting Time (December 8th, 2008, 7:56 am)

good resources but here is my beef:

After coming in to work after the weekend I had roughly 20 new articles in my RSS reader. Three quarters of them were like this one. 50 great whatever, 10 awesome techniques for blah blah…, 15 kick@ss tutorials on knitting underwear, 5 reasons to stop subscribing to RSS (the last two I made up, but it’s getting to that point).

It seems like the only articles that gets= published anymore are other people’s content, rehashed. I understand, these articles get dugg and delicious-ed, but why is it always advertising dollars that drives the content.
26.

Ony (December 8th, 2008, 8:10 am)

Excellent collection, I’ve been looking for a round up like this.
27.

steve (December 8th, 2008, 8:42 am)

cool beans
28.

Steve Mebs (December 8th, 2008, 9:05 am)

Great post. psdtuts is always full of good stuff.

Can I ask a favor from you Smashing? When I’m midway through reading a post it’s hard to figure out if the caption or title of the article is for the image above or below it. Can you add a bit more spacing so it’s clear which image goes with which caption?
29.

chiang (December 8th, 2008, 9:45 am)

Great post
30.

iiyuyo (December 8th, 2008, 10:11 pm)

Very nice!
31.

myadlan (December 8th, 2008, 10:39 pm)

nice compilation!
32.

Given (December 8th, 2008, 11:19 pm)

Smashing post yo guys rock! :)
33.

Dainis Graveris (December 9th, 2008, 12:36 pm)

Nice, You did it again - amazing and extremely useful!
34.

Scott jay (December 9th, 2008, 5:10 pm)

SMASHING post, great to see all these together in one post…
35.

sue (December 10th, 2008, 2:07 am)

OHMYGOSH!! This is the perfect post any photographer/photo manipulator could want! Thank you so much SMASHING MAGAZINE!!!
36.

Rakesh.S (December 10th, 2008, 11:47 pm)

nice listing ..
37.

David Tong (December 11th, 2008, 5:31 am)

Thanks for linking my articles to your post :) Excellent collection.

- Dave
David’s Simple Photography
38.

Dan (December 15th, 2008, 4:48 pm)

great post, thank you.
39.

Ed (December 19th, 2008, 3:26 pm)

I love this kind of stuff. When I get time, I am going to check this out,
40.

Jay Chua (January 1st, 2009, 1:25 am)

This page will stay in my bookmark from today onwards.
Great references info!
41.

Flonkbob (February 10th, 2009, 11:35 am)

Wow. There are some great ideas in here. I wish I could leave work right now to go home and try some of them….but I guess I have to earn my keep first. :)
42.

Ersalina (March 2nd, 2009, 8:35 pm)

awesome, digging this.
43.

roben lum (March 25th, 2009, 7:44 pm)

do u know ? u are like a god to me? i always visit your site for help and it helps me alot as i’m always forgetful keke…. thank you very very much!
44.

momo (April 8th, 2009, 7:47 am)

Thanks
45.

Noah Lieske (April 29th, 2009, 11:12 am)

Great post, very useful tips for beginners. Noah Lieske
46.

HTWUIPI1EL (May 1st, 2009, 11:47 am)

pictures are all shopped