Adobe Photoshop

 Adobe Photoshop

 There has never been a time in the history of photography when editing could produce such amazing results as in the digital age. In addition, despite the myriad of tools that the computer and the internet have made available to us for the purpose of modifying and enhancing the images that result from a photo shoot, none can match Adobe Photoshop's popularity or power. The term "to Photoshop" has become a verb that means to enhance or alter an image because the program has become so synonymous with editing and creating effects. We can "Photoshop in" new clothes, accessories, or even people to a previously impossible shot. Therefore, you do not need to travel to Washington to obtain a picture of you shaking hands with the president; all you need to do is "Photoshop" your image into the image of the president, and it will appear as though you were actually present.

• In a similar vein, we can "Photoshop" out elements from a picture that we no longer wish to be present in. Therefore, if you have a physical defect, it can be fixed. You can even remove a person from the shot's background who is causing you trouble. Because the program is so advanced, you really can't tell the difference that has been made in these images.

A copy of Photoshop is just as important as a copy of Microsoft Word or PowerPoint when starting a photography studio or business because it has become the de facto standard for photo processing. The fact that this software can be used by a large number of people and is easily accessible is a positive aspect. So, if you're nervous about learning yet another computer program, you can probably find a college student, a high schooler, or even a junior high schooler who knows everything there is to know about Photoshop and can help you get started using it.

However, Photoshop has not always ruled this field. The program was created in 1989 by two brothers, John Knoll and Thomas Knoll. Although the brothers created Photoshop for their own unique purposes at the time, it wasn't long before it became clear that the software had market potential. John and Thomas started a small business called Adobe in 1990 because they were smart businesspeople. Adobe has served as a shining example of how to succeed in the internet age. Adobe is a common name among internet users today. To read PDF files, virtually every personal computer that connects to the internet comes equipped with a free copy of Adobe Reader. Another illustration of this small business's ability to establish and then dominate a particular online business market is the PDF format.

• Finding a copy to play with is probably the first step in truly mastering Photoshop. Like most computer applications, you can probably find a copy on a friend’s computer just to tinker with it and get a feel for the controls. Then if your friend is a wizard at Photoshop, let him or her show you some of the real “wiz-bang” things they can do with Photoshop using the same menus you were just tinkering with. You might become addicted to Photoshop for life after trying this small experiment on a Saturday afternoon.

You should download a copy for yourself after that. You can purchase an evaluation version that includes the majority of features. However, you really only need that if you are unsure whether or not you will purchase a copy. You will almost certainly purchase a copy of Photoshop because it dominates this market; therefore, you might want to purchase a licensed copy immediately to avoid frustration. It's great if you end up spending a lot of time just having fun playing with the software. However, taking organized Photoshop photo editing classes is still highly recommended. You might learn about shortcuts and how to get the most out of the software in these classes.

The only limit to how you can use this tool to improve your photographs for your customers is your imagination. And when someone says, "that's ok, you can just Photoshop that and fix it right up," you'll be able to respond enthusiastically.