As we continue to innovate in this digital age, it’s important for content marketers to refine and augment their skillsets, particularly when it comes to visuals. Sharing visuals is one of the most obvious – and powerful – ways to hone in on your brand’s identity and communicate with customers. That said, with the popularity of social media ever on the rise, consumers’ eyes are sharper and more discerning than ever before, so content must be authentic while also maintaining brand consistency.
With content marketing teams managing ever-growing image libraries, a robust solution for organizing and managing those assets is a must. MerlinOne’s DAM solution not only makes searching and discovering digital assets a breeze, but it also offers powerful features for content marketing teams such as automated workflows, built-in distribution tools, version control, and so much more. Download our white paper, 5 Ways a DAM Helps your Team Meet Deadlines, below to find out how MerlinOne can help you maximize your content marketing team’s productivity.
If you’re not a graphic designer, photo manipulation probably seems a bit intimidating. That’s why content marketers are increasingly turning to photo editing software and other tricks and tools to eliminate the barriers to creating powerful graphic elements to fuel every aspect of content marketing, from social media to blogs and beyond. Fortunately, there are tons of helpful tips and tutorials that can help you become a visual media master in no time, and we’ve rounded up 50 of the best photo manipulation tips and tutorials below to save you time. These resources serve as valuable introductions for newbies as well as important reminders and new tricks and techniques that even the most experienced content marketing virtuosos will find useful. Note: The following 50 tips and tutorials are listed alphabetically by category for easy reference, but they aren’t ranked or rated in any way.
Photoshop Tutorials
1. Adobe – Change a Background in Photoshop
@Adobe
While so many use Photoshop to refine the look of photos, not enough consider the impact that can be made with a full background overhaul. This handy tutorial published by Adobe gives users the simple step-by-step needed to make backgrounds look natural, vivid, and seamless.
What you’ll learn:
- How to paint over an image to replace a background
- Copying background images in the foreground
- Using the ‘select’ and ‘mask’ features
2. Adobe – Create Your First Design
@Adobe
Photoshop can be a fun program to play around with, but you shouldn’t give into the urge until you have first learned the fundamentals of design creation. Luckily, Adobe has produced a series of helpful video tutorials that outline all of the basics of the legendary photo editing program, from the simplest export and saving options to visually-stimulating vector graphics, and beyond.
What you’ll learn:
- How to combine images using layer masks
- Adding text and effects to photos
- Working with special type layers
3. Adobe – Edit Your First Photo
@Adobe
Another way to get comfortable with Photoshop is to get to know the ins and outs of photo editing. After all, unless you are a serious designer, a good portion of your work will likely be in the light editing of photos. This series of helpful, Adobe-produced video tutorials cover everything from cropping and straightening to adding creative effects, and much more.
What you’ll learn:
- Adding creative effects
- Removing unwanted content
- Improving light and color
4. Adobe – Get to Know Photoshop
@Adobe
In need of the very most basic Photoshop tips and tricks, such as keyboard shortcuts, a menu bar guide, and the various save features? If so, then Adobe’s Get to Know Photoshop is for you. There, you will be met with a series of simple tutorials that teach you everything you need to know to make the best start possible.
What you’ll learn:
- How to use the zoom tool
- Using the hand tool
- An explanation of the tools panel
5. CreativeBloq – 6 Essential Photoshop Layers to Improve Your Images
@CreativeBloq
One of the essential keys to creating beautiful images on Photoshop is layering. It’s a relatively simple tool to master, but that doesn’t mean that design newbies shouldn’t take all of the help they can get. CreativeBloq puts forth six of the most widely-used layering techniques around, explaining it in plain English for the fastest, most fruitful editing sessions possible.
What you’ll learn:
- Dodge and Burn explanation for selective brightening
- How to use a heal layer
- Making the most out of curves
6. CreativeBloq – Digital Painting with Photoshop CC for Beginners
@CreativeBloq
One of the best things about Photoshop is its versatility; the software offers simplistic editing tools that most anyone can make use of, but it also offers plenty for the accomplished visual artist, too. In this Photoshop CC tutorial, our friends at CreativeBloq take us through the seven necessary steps for creating the most impressive digital painting, from sketch all the way to polish.
What you’ll learn:
- How to customize brightening controls
- Making the most out of shapes and silhouette features
- How to select the best brushes for the project
7. CreativeBloq – Photoshop for Web Design: 20 Pro Tips
@CreativeBloq
Web designers working at all levels should have a fundamental understanding of how Photoshop works. Fortunately, CreativeBloq has created a guide filled with tips and tricks specifically geared towards the minds and needs of designers. In it, they cover everything from complex grid systems to handy organizational tools, and beyond.
What you’ll learn:
- How to wrap text
- Helpful keyboard shortcuts
- Hair silhouetting 101
8. DesignStacks – Adobe Photoshop Tutorials
@design_stacks
Photoshop provides powerful manipulation tools and the options can be overwhelming even for advanced users. The team at DesignStacks offers tutorials targeted at specific topics such as photo manipulation techniques and vector-based designs which allow the user to focus on learning while directly applying the skills.
What you’ll learn:
- Photo manipulation techniques
- How to use glow and lighting effects
- Creation of vector-based backgrounds
9. GCFGlobal Photoshop Basics
@GCFLearnFree
New users of Photoshop often seek a basic overview of the software capability without getting into too much detail to be overwhelming. This Photoshop Basics tutorial from GCFGlobal offers a 14-part series that covers a broad range of basic tasks. There is also a quiz at the end of the series for those who wish to reinforce what they have learned.
What you’ll learn:
- Introduction to the Photoshop interface and basic tasks
- How to work with layers
- Additional resources for more advanced study
10. Graphics Geek – Top 10 Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
Anyone who has worked with Photoshop for an extended period of time knows that keyboard shortcuts are a crucial part of streamlining your workflow and saving time. In this video tutorial from Graphics Geek, you will learn 10 important shortcuts to help you manipulate layers and make adjustments more quickly.
What you’ll learn:
- How to use the bracket keys to resize your brushes quickly
- Rapid ways to transform and duplicate layers
- A convenient trick to sample colors directly from your canvas
11. Lynda – Photoshop CC 2019
@li_learning
There are a number of excellent free Photoshop tutorials out there but sometimes the structure and detail from a formal course are well worth the price. This course, Photoshop CC 2019 One-on-One: Fundamentals, available on Lynda offers 18 hours of instruction and a full overview of the Photoshop software capabilities.
What you’ll learn:
- Customizing views and workflows
- How to develop a photo in Camera Raw
- Adjustments for balancing colors and retouching photos
12. Phlearn – How to Master Frequency Separation Retouching
@phlearn
For the more advanced Photoshop user, there are some excellent options for video instruction to further develop your skills. This paid Pro tutorial on the photography learning platform Phlearn, How to Master Frequency Separation Retouching in Photoshop, offers 25 video tutorials on using frequency separation to enhance photos.
What you’ll learn:
- A step-by-step frequency separation workflow
- How to remove blemishes and smooth skin in portraits
- Professional retouching techniques for small and large scale details
13. Photoshop Essentials – Photoshop Tutorials
Finding the detailed steps required to perform various Photoshop functions can be tricky. This website, Photoshop Essentials, offers over 100 free tutorials and a corresponding YouTube channel that cover a wide range of important actions such as using the perspective crop tool and creating smart objects.
What you’ll learn:
- How to blend images together
- Detailed tips for a wide range of editing tools
- Creating visual effects such as old photo and worn edges
14. Photoshop Tutorials -Tutorials
Many tutorial sites offer a good overview of basic Photoshop tools but often fail to provide detailed instruction for creative effects. At Photoshop Tutorials there are numerous tutorials that focus on specific creative edits involving photo manipulation and retouching.
What you’ll learn:
- How to turn an ordinary landscape into a moonscape
- Tricks to improve and intensify sunset photos
- Workflows to create surreal scenes in Photoshop
15. Pixel & Bracket – How to Add Text
@pixelandbracket
Video tutorials are one of the best ways to learn Photoshop with a real-time look at the interface while you study. Pixel & Bracket offer many useful tutorials and this example covers a basic overview for how to add text to your image using the type tool.
What you’ll learn:
- How to add text with the type tool
- Ways to adjust text size and color
- Navigating the character and paragraph options
16. TutsPlus – Design and Illustration Tutorials
@tutsplus
It’s nice to have options when looking for information on specific Photoshop topic; simply put, there is a lot of ground to cover. This extensive library of design and illustration tutorials at TutsPlus offers a number of guides for Photoshop from short to the more detailed and complex. There are also courses and e-books available for those needing more detail.
What you’ll learn:
- How to create text effects
- Working with layer effects and brushes
- Using business card and magazine design templates
17. Tutvid – 10 Steps to Getting Started with 3D | Photoshop Tutorial
@tutvid
Utilizing Photoshop for 3D design requires specific techniques and tools. In addition to unique system requirements for 3D, there is a lot of technique to learn in getting started. This video tutorial by Tutvid offers 10 steps for those beginning with 3D work in Photoshop and covers all the basics from scratch.
What you’ll learn:
- The difference between moving the camera view vs. the object
- How to convert a 2D plane (or image) to a 3D postcard
- Ways to create fresh 3D objects
18. Udemy – Photoshop Beginners Mastery: Zero to Hero in Photoshop
@udemy
It can be difficult to find a great introductory tutorial that can cover all the basics while keeping it brief and to the point. Udemy offers this paid course, Photoshop Beginners Mastery: Zero to Hero in Photoshop, which provides instructions on the essentials to get you started quickly.
What you’ll learn:
- Customizing your workspace and panels
- Creating and applying adjustment layers
- How to create new documents with various settings and modes
19. Vandelay Design – 20+ Outstanding Photoshop Manipulation Tutorials to Sharpen Your Skills
@vandelaydesign
Many photographers and artists are using an Adobe workflow with Photoshop for their photo editing needs, making photo manipulation an important core set of effects to master. This post, 25+ Outstanding Photoshop Manipulation Tutorials to Sharpen Your Skills, from Vandelay Designs contains a nice list of detailed instructions.
What you’ll learn:
- How to create dramatic, contrasting scenes
- Ways to blend different backgrounds into a single composition
- Advanced lighting techniques and manipulation
Other Photo Manipulation Tutorials
20. Affinity Photo – Affinity Photo Getting Started
@affinitybyserif
Tutorials that provide specific steps for your image editing software is especially important. This Vimeo video series focuses on the Affinity Photo software and has over 200 video tutorials covering all aspects of your workflow needs.
What you’ll learn:
- Ways to add branding, watermarks, and borders
- How to use live layer filters
- Setting up documents and accessing help features
21. BeFunky -Tutorials
@befunky
Online photo editors represent the ultimate in flexible platforms for managing your editing needs. This series of tutorials from the blog of BeFunky software provides a nice overview of capabilities specific to their photo editing, collage, and graphic design features.
What you’ll learn:
- How to create photo collage layouts
- Using touch up tools to enhance images
- Numerous ways to turn photos into artistic graphics
22. Blogging Your Passion – How to Quickly Create Your Own Picture Quotes
Sharing images of quotes on social media are super popular these days and it’s good for a creative team to have a streamlined way to create them. This tutorial from Blogging Your Passion gives a quick overview of their creation, editing, and sharing.
What you’ll learn:
- Where to collect great quotes
- How to source your background images
- Recommended software tools for quick edits
23. Corel -PaintShop Pro for Beginners
@CorelDiscovery
The PaintShop software platform has a long history as one of the first image editing tools. This tutorial series PaintShop Pro for Beginnings, direct from the software developer Corel, covers many basic photo editing techniques that a beginner would need.
What you’ll learn:
- Adding instant effects to adjust photo mood
- Installing and using plug-ins
- Fixing dark or underexposed photos
24. Delicious Themes – The Art of Photo Manipulation: Techniques and Examples
@deliciousthemes
Advanced photo manipulation can be used to create images that are truly stunning and blur the lines between reality and fantasy. This post, The Art of Photo Manipulation- Techniques and Examples, from Delicious Themes introduces many of the core techniques used by expert artists and provides some great example images.
What you’ll learn:
- Some traditional techniques for manual photo manipulation
- Using color combustion and photo cutouts
- Age progression techniques for modifying portraits
25. Fotor – How to Use Fotor
@fotor_com
The Fotor online photo editing suite is known for its streamlined and simple interface. These three tutorials from their website provide brief overviews that explain how to get started with the software in minutes.
What you’ll learn:
- How to edit a basic photo in Fotor
- How to make a collage
- How to create a basic graphic design
26. Instructables – Let’s Learn Pixlr
@Instructables
Pixlr is another powerful online image editing software and this guide from Instructables takes you through 27 basic editing tools that are frequently used. It covers all the basics of selection, editing and blending in addition to other tools you may find useful based on your specific needs.
What you’ll learn:
- How to use common editing tools such as clone stamp and gradient
- Recommended tools for blending and filtering
- The basic navigation of the user interface
27. Kate Danielle – How to Create Templates in Canva for Quick Designs
@katedanielle
Canva is getting a lot of attention these days for its powerful set of features set in a slick online interface. One of its most powerful tools for editing workflows is the creation of templates. This video tutorial from Kate Danielle shows three different ways to create and use templates in Canva.
What you’ll learn:
- How to create a new template from an existing pin
- The best way to load a template you have saved
- Using navigation such as drag and drop for your templates
28. Make Use Of – An Introduction to GIMP Photo Editing: 9 Things You Need to Know
@MakeUseOf
GIMP is a very popular open source image editing software that has a similar interface to Photoshop. Its dense feature set can be overwhelming to new users and this tutorial from Make Use Of gives you 9 basics to help get you started.
What you’ll learn:
- Performing basic functions such as straighten and crop
- Photo editing tools like exposure and white balance
- How to remove dust and marks from images
29. Mostly Tech: PhotoScape Basic Photo Editing Tutorial
@xmostlytech
Another free photo editing tool on the market is PhotoScape and if you are new to this software it would be worthwhile to check out this video tutorial from Mostly Tech which introduces many of the basic features. With these tips, you can organize your images and start editing right away.
What you’ll learn:
- Processing multiple images with batch editing
- How to create collages
- Basic editing techniques such as cropping, resizing and rotating
30. Photographycourse.net – Photo Editing Workflow Tutorial
@photocoursenet
With so many online and offline image editing software solutions to choose from, it can be hard to sift through all the learning material to pick some of the top tips. This workflow tutorial from PhotographyCourse.net provides some basic steps that can be used with any editing software.
What you’ll learn:
- Important tips for shooting in RAW
- How best to order your workflow steps
- Useful refinements to highlight the subject matter of your photo
31. Photo Pos Pro Free Photo Editor – Online Help
This series of tutorials for the Photo Pos free photo editor covers many basic photo manipulations that are useful to the average editor. Topics include using templates, adding effects, and how to remove objects and red eye from images.
What you’ll learn:
- Creating images with transparent backgrounds
- How to add a tattoo to a person
- Using an inner glow effect for maximum impact
32. PiZap Blog – Photo Editing Tips for Beginners
@pizap
With so many editing tools and techniques to choose from it can sometimes be hard to get the basics right. This tutorial, Photo Editing Tips for Beginners, covers the important first steps you can use to properly optimize levels in a photo quickly using the PiZap software.
What you’ll learn:
- How to quickly crop and rotate your image
- Making basic adjustments like color, contrast, and saturation
- Easily applying filters to your photo
33. Social Media Explorer – How to Edit Your Images for Social Media
@smxplorer
So many of our images are shared on social media these days that it’s important to do it the right way and make a good first impression. In this tutorial, How to Edit Your Images for Social Media, from Social Media Explorer you will see the important steps for choosing a style, editing, and uploading your images.
What you’ll learn:
- Using filters in an effective way for your feed
- How to take advantage of posting trends such as borders and grids
- Why you should set a specific style before you edit anything
34. TechRadar – Best Photo Editing Tips for Beginners
@techradar
A natural challenge of photography workflows is dealing with image issues in post-processing. In this post from TechRadar, Best Photo Editing Tips for Beginners, the author shares 18 common image issues and how to use simple tools to fix them quickly.
What you’ll learn:
- How to selectively sharpen using masks
- Easy ways to remove distractions from an image
- Using selective color to boost particular areas for impact
35. Udemy – Canva for Beginners
@udemy
With its simple interface, Canva is a great tool to learn graphic design on. This paid course on Udemy, Canva for Beginners, serves as both a detailed introduction to the software platform while also covering important fundamentals of graphic design theory.
What you’ll learn:
- Principles and elements of graphic design theory
- Important tips for typography and composition
- How to use templates in Canva
36. Udemy – PicsArt Full Guide
@udemy
A full-featured editing software suite has its place, but today’s mobile tools have gotten very powerful. As this paid course from Udemy, PicsArt Full Guide: Zero To Hero In Photo Editing & Retouch, demonstrates, it is possible to make some impressive edits directly from your smartphone or device.
What you’ll learn:
- How to erase and replace backgrounds
- Tips for retouching photos
- The process for creating a professional logo from scratch
Download our white paper, The Importance of Version Control in a DAM, to learn how a robust digital asset management solution like MerlinOne can help you manage multiple iterations of your most important visual assets with ease.
Photo Manipulation Tips and Tricks
37. 99designs – How to Create Stunning Photo Manipulations Using Stock Imagery
@99designs
One of the main benefits of using photo manipulation is the ability to combine your existing image with other elements to make a vision come to life. This guide from 99designs demonstrates some important tips for blending stock images with your photos.
Three key tips:
- Always start with images that have proper lighting
- Keep your layers organized to make re-adjusting easier
- Learn how to use masks effectively to preserve detail in your images
38. Content Marketing Institute – 37+ Tips and Tools for Picture-Perfect Visual Content
@cmicontent
Creating an image that looks beautiful, tells a story, and connects with the viewer is a tough task requiring the management of a lot of small details. The Content Marketing Institute offers this guide, 37+ Tips and Tools for Picture-Perfect Visual Content, to help you get to that “perfect” image.
Three key tips:
- Repurpose written content as visuals
- Tailor your image style to the specific delivery platform
- Use visualization aids to make great looking graphics
39. Fix the Photo
@fixthephoto
Today’s software tools allow photo manipulation far beyond traditional optimization and there are nearly limitless possibilities. This post from Fix the Photo provides some great examples of just how far artists can push the limits of combining images with graphics.
Three key tips:
- For many effects, creating a base texture is key to developing your final look
- Use filter gallery Poster edges to create easy cartoons
- Download and use a liquify tool and smoke brushes to create a dispersion effect
40. Fstoppers
@fstoppers
Some editing tips can only be learned after hours and hours of experience. These 10 editing techniques, from the experts over at Fstoppers, are sure to have an impact on your Photoshop workflow.
Three key tips:
- Adjust color temperature and exposure in your RAW image (if needed) before editing
- Learn how to make dodge and burn adjustments beyond just the traditional two tools
- Crush highlights using curves for high key images
41. Guiding Tech: 7 Incredible Photo Editing Tricks for Android that You Must Know
@guidingtech
There are a number of good photo editing apps for the Android platform and this post from Guiding Tech offers some great tips. The guide covers a number of different apps and shows you how to do important edits such as removing objects from photos, adjusting colors, and changing backgrounds.
Three key tips:
- Get the right amount of background blur using Bokeh effect or portrait mode
- Color splashing can be used to combine selective color with grayscale
- Use the stabilize tool in Google photos to quickly correct shaky videos
42. Jeff Bullas – 4 Tools to Enhance the Images in Your Content Marketing
@jeffbullas
Sourcing and rapidly editing images are important steps in any content marketing workflow. This post, from Jeff Bullas, provides four tools that you and your team can use to enhance image quality in your marketing efforts.
Three key tips:
- Use Canva to quickly edit your photos without having to learn other software
- You can create quick collages using the free tool PicMonkey
- Create free GIFs using Lunapic
43. Medium – Getting Started with Photo Manipulation for Personal Projects
@medium
If you are working on personal projects and not sure which software solution is best, this guide from Medium will help. It offers some perspective on the different tools available and which may be best suited for your budget and needs.
Three key tips:
- Test multiple image editing software solutions to find one that suits your style
- Learn transformation tools to make the most common edits
- You can change the art style of images quickly using special software like FotoSketcher
44. MerlinOne – Image Editing Tips for Marketers and Publishers
@merlinone_inc
It’s important for an image editing workflow to constantly evolve and keep up with the latest software tools and visual trends. These image editing tips from MerlinOne provide some key insights specific to the needs of marketers and publishers.
Three key tips:
- Review key steps of your workflow to minimize the number of clicks needed
- Use creative workflow management solutions to coordinate across multiple channels
- Democratize access to your corporation’s images
45. Razor Social – Visual Web: 5 Tools to Create Eye-Catching Images for Social Media
@razorsocial
Using an online digital image editor can be convenient, but the time saved is only worthwhile if you are able to create visually appealing content. Razor Social has created this list of 5 important tools that you can use to create eye-catching images.
Three key tips:
- You can create funky and unusual images in Pixlr
- Use Fotor to quickly make photo collages and cards
- Create shareable quote images in Quozio
46. Redbooth – 5 Awesome Photography Tips for Social Media Success
@RedboothHQ
Some of the best social media images are simple in a way that makes them appealing without being distracting. This post, 5 Awesome Photography Tips For Social Media Success, from Redbooth gives you a few fundamentals to make your images pop.
Three key tips:
- Create dynamic images by using the rule of thirds properly
- Put a story behind your image by understanding your audience
- Don’t over-edit your photos and make too many adjustments
47. Scoop.it! – 6 Photography Tips to Bring Your Content Marketing Strategy to Life
@scoopit
Effective digital image manipulation doesn’t just take place behind a computer. It’s important to start out with great images and this post from Scoop.it! gives you some key photography tips to follow and take into the field.
Three key tips:
- Start with the best quality camera you can
- Make sure you get the lighting right
- Take lots of pictures and experiment with different angles
48. Social Media Examiner – 6 Simple Photo Tools for Creating Social Media Visuals
@smexaminer
Social media marketing is all about effective visuals and this post from Social Media Examiner has 6 simple tools that you and your team can use to create images that get noticed. The tips cover specifics for images, banners, and collages, and presentations.
Three key tips:
- Unique social media graphics can be designed on the LiveLoveCreate website
- The PicCollage app is a fast and easy way to create custom collages
- If you are already comfortable using PowerPoint, use it to create social media images
49. Social Media Examiner – 15 Resources to Create Images for Social Media
@smexaminer
Having a cohesive visual strategy requires that you have multiple types of social media images. This list of 15 resources from Social Media Examiner covers tools and tips for all the important social media images styles you need to get started.
Three key tips:
- Create custom infographics quickly using online tools
- Use your camera’s flash only when you absolutely need to
- Take advantage of extensive stock photography libraries for your image needs
50. Unfranchise – Social Media Monday: Tips for Taking Quality Photos with Your Smartphone
@MarketAmerica
Today’s smartphones take high-quality photos and if you take some time to learn a few basic functions they can look amazing. These tips, provided by Market America on the UnFranchise blog, offer some great advice for getting the most out of your smartphone photography.
Three key tips:
- Move closer to objects rather than using your phone’s zoom function
- Take photos at the highest resolution setting possible
- Always make sure that your lens is clean before taking photos
Now that you’re ready to master photo manipulation, it’s time to consider a DAM solution that’s up to the task of organizing and managing your growing digital asset library. A DAM solution like MerlinOne not only keeps your content marketing team on the same page, but also helps you scale your content efforts with distribution tools, automated workflows, access controls and permissions, version control, image recognition tagging, and so much more. Schedule a demo today to find out how MerlinOne can transform your marketing and creative operations.