How Long Does It Take To Get Good at Photoshop?

Many people dream of using photoshop to express their creative ideas, or maybe you are looking to add Photoshop proficiency to your resume. Whatever the reason, becoming a competent Photoshop user can be done in a relatively short amount of time. 

It takes about two to three months of consistent effort to become good at Photoshop. Many experts agree that someone can learn the basics with 15-20 hours of dedicated study. Learning Photoshop requires understanding the interface, learning tools one at a time, and some simple design knowledge. 

Curious about mastering Photoshop? Read on to learn how long it will take, what you should learn first, and resources for deepening your Photoshop prowess.

Is Mastering Photoshop Difficult?

No, mastering Photoshop is not difficult, but it does require a consistent time investment. Once you have the basics down, mastering Photoshop is simply a matter of learning one thing at a time over one to two years.  

Trying to get too advanced too quickly leads to frustration. If you take time to methodically increase your skills one tool or function at a time, over a year or two, you can consider yourself a Photoshop master. 

What Can I Do in Photoshop?

In a word – a lot. Photoshop is a graphic editing software used by professional photographers, graphic designers, and drafting companies, even forensics professionals. You can manipulate photos, create original graphics, and edit videos all on Photoshop.  

Here are some of the most popular uses for Photoshop:

• Photo Editing
• Digital Painting
• Print Design
• Web Design
• Video Editing
• Professional Presentations
• Architectural Graphics

Some lesser-known uses for Photoshop are for forensics. Law enforcement and digital forensics professionals will use Photoshop to clarify, enhance, and analyze images relevant to criminal cases. 

Another common but under-the-radar use for Photoshop is in political campaigns. Many politicians will hire graphic designers to create media images to promote their campaigns. 

The designer will also create graphics that display their opponent in a negative light, and then the image will be blasted all over the internet using social media. 

Basic Things You Should Learn First in Photoshop

Most people give up on learning Photoshop because they try complex functions without understanding the basics. Before you jump into a huge project, try using simple, small projects to learn the following introductory skills. 

The first things you need to do to learn Photoshop are:

• Get familiar with the Photoshop interface. It will be difficult for you to work on creative projects when you don’t know which tools are where. Taking time to familiarize yourself with the interface will hasten your learning process.

• Understand the difference between Vector and Raster Graphics. This will help you understand how to manipulate graphics easily and navigate editing layers.

• Learn the necessary tools for your creative work one at a time. Instead of trying to master all the tools you’ll need at once, make a list of your top 10 tools and do simple projects that practice each one until you are competent in all of them. 

• Learn how to re-size, crop, and make simple color adjustments. You won’t get very far without understanding these essential functions for image creation. 

• Understand the difference between various file formats. Different projects will work better in some formats than others. Do some research into your particular use of Photoshop and see what file formats more experienced creators are using. 

Fun Ways To Learn Photoshop 

Learning Photoshop doesn’t have to be a boring slog. Strategizing your learning process will make it much more enjoyable. There are also several free and affordable ways to feel a part of a community centered around learning Photoshop.

Start With Small Successes

The most important way to have fun when learning Photoshop is to start small. We all like to dream big, but overwhelming ourselves with a huge project before we have completed smaller projects may result in feelings of discouragement and frustration. 

Experts agree that taking small, incremental steps to learn something new not only makes it more enjoyable but helps you retain more information faster. 

Do a Photoshop Challenge With Others

If you enjoy connecting with others and being challenged, then doing a free 30-day Photoshop challenge like this one from Adobe can help keep you motivated. Becoming a part of a community that also wants to learn Photoshop makes learning more fun for many people.

We’re also running contests and challenge on Instagram with great prizes to win. Head over to our Instagram page @Learn__Photoshop to check these out.

Take a Class

You can also take a class if guided instruction suits you. Looking for an expert can help you learn faster and avoid frustrating roadblocks on your learning journey. There are free classes available online, as well as high-quality training programs that cost a small fee. 

If you’re looking to grow your marketable skills, then signing up for an extension course like this one at UC Berkeley will give you additional credibility and college credits. 

What Careers Require Mastery of Photoshop?

If you take the time to master Photoshop, many career options become available to you. 

Here are some of the career options and average salaries for people who are highly knowledgeable about Photoshop:

• Graphic Designer ($35,00-$70,000)
• Digital Artist ($67,000)
• Professional Photographer ($30,000- $72,000)
• Photograph editor ($48,000)
• Website Designer ($65,000)
• Professional Videographer ($69,000)
• Campaign Manager ($61,000)
• Creative Director ($87,000)
• Digital Marketer ($54,000)
• Content Creator ($47,000)
• Advertising Copywriter ($91,000)

Some of these careers require additional degrees, but having Photoshop as a skill can get you further in many career paths. 

Final Thoughts

Learning Photoshop may seem daunting, but it is easy. The hardest part is setting aside the time consistently and pacing yourself. 

The more important thing to remember is that learning a new skill requires patience and dedication. Avoid overwhelming yourself with too complex of projects before mastering the basics. Small successes give your brain the motivation it needs to keep going when things get difficult. 

There are so many ways to use Photoshop, many of them creative. Several careers require mastery of certain Photoshop skills, so learning Photoshop can not only expand your creative potential but make you more desirable in the job market. 

All told, becoming competent in Photoshop takes most people two to three months and is definitely worth the time.