Start With the Basics-Graphics Software Basics

Are you a painter that wants to take photos of your art and need to have some basic editing skills? Maybe you have been asked to create a hand-out for your church or group and you cannot finish the project in Word. You have looked at graphic software, but the available tools mean nothing to you. I am going to share with you some basic definitions of some of the most common tools found in a graphic software program.
 
If you are looking into graphic software, you probably have heard of Photoshop, which is a photo editing, image creation, graphic design software. Photoshop is not the only graphic software available. I now use Affinity Photo most of the time. Photoshop is the most expensive, requiring you to pay a monthly fee to use the software. Photoshop Elements is a scaled down version and easier to use, but lacks many of the tools available in professional graphic software programs.  Although each program is different, many of the most common tools are called by the same or similar names.
Layer Panel: View all layers in your file independently or in a group. Layers lets you stack your images as if they were transparencies. You can change size, adjust, and add special effects to each layer independently.
Background: First layer in layer panel.
Layer Masks: Used to mask part of a layer in a non-destructive manner or allow you to paint without covering up another layer. Similar to the use of masking tape, masking fluid, or even a crayon by painters.
Color Picker: Allows you to pick and blend colors to create your own colors or match colors. There is also a color panel.
Digital Brushes: Just like you have different sizes and types of brushes when you paint, there are different digital brushes. Size, roundness, hardness, angle and much more can all be changed. Add brush sets or create your own brushes.
Adjustments: Adjustment layers make changes on a separate layer, allowing you to keep your original layer intact. Think of Brightness/Contrast, Shadows/Highlights or Hue/Saturation/Lightness.
Filters: Allows you to add textures and special effects. It’s like using gel mediums, crackle paste, molding paste, salt or even a palette knife with paints.
Layer Styles: A group of effects bundled together so you don’t have to create the look from scratch every time. It’s like having on hand a tube of paint in a color you use all the time, instead of blending your own.
Blending Modes: Takes the color in your image, color you are adding, mixing the base and the blend color, adding or subtracting black or white. There are many different modes and each one does something a little different.
I hope this helps you to understand graphic software and digital artists a little more. Of course, this is only a brief introduction into some of the components in graphic software. These are very challenging programs to learn, but do not be intimidated! Decide on what you want to do and find out how to use the tools and techniques you need in order to accomplish your goal. I am always learning something new, even with some of the more basic tools like digital brushes.
Examples below.