Photoshop ACP

Introduction to Photoshop and Essential Tools 

• Understand what Photoshop is and what it can do 
• Explore the Photoshop workspace and panels 
• Personalise settings to suit your workflow 
• Open images and navigate using zooming and panning 
• Apply quick tonal and colour adjustments 
• Undo steps using different methods 
• Save work correctly and export images for web or print use 

Image Preparation and Essential Adjustments 

• Check image quality and resolution for print 
• Optimise images for web and social media 
• Learn how layers and adjustment layers work 
• Improve tone and colour using Curves, Hue/Saturation, and Vibrance 
• Apply adjustments to a single layer using clipping 
• Use the Camera Raw Filter for exposure fixes and noise reduction 
• Make targeted edits using the Adjustment Brush 

Healing and Retouching Techniques 

• Learn how to crop and straighten images 
• Explore essential retouching tools and when to use them 
• Fix imperfections using the Spot Healing Brush and Patch Tool 
• Remove objects with the Remove Tool and Content-Aware Fill 
• Clone parts of an image using the Clone Stamp Tool 
• Enhance highlights and shadows using Dodge and Burn 

Mastering Selections and Sky Swaps 

• Understand what selections are and why they’re essential 
• Use Quick Selection and Magic Wand for fast selections 
• Try Object Selection and Select Subject for automatic cutouts 
• Refine edges and edit selections for accuracy 
• Select and replace skies using Photoshop’s Sky tools 
• Handle more complex cutouts and selection workflows 

Working with Layers and Building Compositions 

• Build montages and multi-layered compositions 
• Manage, organise, and reorder layers effectively 
• Work confidently with type layers 
• Apply layer styles non-destructively 
• Use blending modes, opacity, and fill 
• Export individual layers as separate files 

Creative Tools: Colour, Shapes & Patterns 

• Remove backgrounds and fill layers with colour 
• Create and style gradient layers 
• Use the Brush Tool with confidence 
• Explore Photoshop’s drawing and painting tools 
• Create seamless repeating patterns 
• Draw and edit basic shapes 
• Clip images to shapes and edit shape paths 

Harnessing Masks and Smart Objects 

• Understand how layer masks work 
• Create and refine masks for controlled editing 
• Use gradient masks for smooth, targeted adjustments 
• Apply clipping masks to limit edits to individual layers 
• Learn what Smart Objects are and why they’re useful 
• Convert layers into Smart Objects 
• Understand linked vs. embedded Smart Objects 
• Work with smart filters for flexible, non-destructive editing 

Exam Prep and Final Review 

Prepare for your certification exam with focused revision, practice tasks, and mock exams. 

• Revision activities across all Photoshop topic areas 
• Final preparation checklist 
• GMetrix practice exams to simulate the real test environment 

• Engaging content
• A variety of different ways to learn
• Clear guidelines to work through the practice exercises
• Constructive feedback from tutors on your submitted work
• Technical assistance from your tutors

This course will be delivered online via Canvas.

After the end of the course will take the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exam. On passing the ACP exam will earn you the Adobe Certified Associate accreditation. You'll receive a digital badge for social media platforms like LinkedIn and a digital certificate.

The ACP certification validates expertise in Adobe Premiere Pro, enhancing career prospects and boosting professional credibility. It instils confidence, serves as tangible proof of skills, and provides a competitive edge in the job market. Overall, the ACP certification supports career advancement and professional growth in digital creativity.

You will need access to a laptop/desktop computer (Mac/PC) with Adobe Photoshop installed.

If you don't have an Adobe licence, consider the following options from Adobe:

• Free one-week trial from Adobe.
• One-month single application subscription for £32.98* per month, cancel anytime.
• Annual application licence for £262.51* or monthly for £21.98* (early cancellation fees apply).
• Subscribe to all Creative Cloud apps under the same types above but for all the Adobe Creative cloud apps.

 Please visit the Adobe website to find out more. 

*prices are correct as of 10 September 2024

There are no entry requirements for this Adobe Photoshop course and previous experience is not necessary, however, you should be confident in the use of IT generally.