Master Adobe Photoshop: Comprehensive Guide to Learning and Career Opportunities in 2025

Updated on Nov 28, 2024 07:31 IST
Aquib Rahman

Aquib RahmanAssistant Manager

Adobe Photoshop is the primary image editing software for 90% of creative professionals worldwide. Its development in 1987 has taken digital creativity to heights across multiple industries that demand photographers, graphic designers, web designers, web developers, and similar. Photoshop proficiency is critical for top-level careers, too. One, for example, is the Design Director, who requires solid experience in this with product development best practices. 

Gaining mastery in Photoshop from Adobe requires training and regular practice. The basics can be learnt within a month, but getting good at it and earning $$$$ per project is a different arena. If you are here, we will show you industry trends, the relevance of acquiring certifications for professional growth in different sectors, the best places to learn online, and more. 

Adobe Photoshop Learning and Career Highlights

Here are some highlights for Adobe Photoshop learning options. 

Highlights

Details

Adobe Photoshop Course Options

Free and paid online courses and certifications; live instructor-led training, and short courses from regional multimedia institutes offline 

Time to Learn Photoshop

Few hours, 6 weeks, 6 months, and more

Eligibility to learn Photoshop

Computer literacy, basics of design principles, photography, and art

Fees 

Up to INR 10 lakh

Where to Learn Adobe Photoshop

  • Coursera
  • Udemy
  • Skillshare
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Adobe (mindhub from Pearson Vue) 
  • American Graphics Institute
  • YouTube 

Top places  professionals with Photoshop skills can find jobs

Upwork, Fiverr, Marketing agencies, eCommerce stores, etc. 

Relevant Links relating to Photoshop Course:

VFX Course Details

Animation courses after Class 12 

Q:   Is Photoshop good for beginners?

A:

Yes, Photoshop is appropriate for beginners, especially now that there are online lessons, courses, and guidelines available. Photoshop has sophisticated functionality for experts, but it also has tools that are easy to use and interfaces that are beginner-friendly. Beginners can pick up important skills like basic photo editing, retouching, and image manipulation with practice and assistance.

Beginning with easy projects and working their way up to more complex skills over time enables beginners to gain competence and confidence. Adobe also provides a wealth of documentation and community forums where novices can get help and guidance from more seasoned users. All things considered, Photoshop offers novices a strong foundation on which to study and advance their abilities in digital image editing and graphic design.

Q:   How can i learn the complete Photoshop ?

A:

Hey,

You can learn Photoshop from various online and regular institutes. As you have not mentioned your location, I can only suggest you some good websites, from where you can learn Photoshop-

  1. Udemy
  2. Easy Skillz
  3. Azimuth Academy
  4. Lynda, etc. 

All the best!

Why Learn Adobe Photoshop in 2024-25

Check out the main reasons for gaining mastery over Adobe Photoshop today. 

  1. Photoshop is at the centre of global digital content creation and branding. Functions within marketing, mainly social media marketing and e-commerce with product photography, require more than basic skills in this software. 
  2. Those going into graphic design or digital photography as a profession should have some certifications from Adobe or at least have some formal training, as it is the biggest in the global market. (Refer to stats below). 
  3. Anyone can pick up Photoshop skills, irrespective of their industry, and earn a good living in today’s gig economy. It is, however, important to note that one has to be quite good in this image editing application as the competition is quite high. Getting remote clients is nowadays more challenging unless your skills and portfolio match the highest quality. 
  4. There are many ways to learn Photoshop, from good free options to certificates. Many free learning resources and instructor-led training are available from some of the most well-known graphic designers and web designers on YouTube to free-to-enrol MOOCs like Coursera. 
  5. Career-wise, one can also become a Photoshop trainer and sell their courses or grow their own YouTube channels.  

Adobe Photoshop Industry Trends 2024-25

  • In 2024, Statista mentioned that Adobe Photoshop has a 42% share in the global graphics software market. 
  • The Global Photo Editing Software market is dominated by digital photography and high-capability smartphones. Photoshop remains the most used, as per Skyquest. 
  • 6sense mentions that 132587 companies globally use Adobe Photoshop as the primary graphic design tool. 

Q:   Is Photoshop difficult to learn?

A:

No, learning the basics of Photoshop is not difficult. It is an easy photo-editing software for starters. Though Photoshop has so many features and capabilities, it is not hard to understand all of them at once; just with proper dedication, practice, and self or professional instruction via tutorials or classes, one can learn and use Photoshop.

The software provides many features, ranging from the most basic image editing to advanced photo manipulation and graphic design, to cater for all users' different skill levels and interests. The process can be simplified by focusing on the learning of some tools and approaches and breaking the learning into almost manageable portions.

In addition, getting some feedback and practicing on real projects accelerates learning and boosts one's confidence. All things considered, to learn Photoshop, one has to be industrious and endowed with a good deal of patience because the learning curve could drag on for some time.

Q:   Who is a Photoshop course suitable for?

A:

Photoshop courses cater to a wide range of learners, from complete beginners with no prior experience to photographers, graphic designers, and web designers looking to enhance their existing skills.  There are courses designed for specific goals, such as photo editing, creating graphics, or mastering specific tools.

How to Learn Adobe Photoshop and Start Your Career

Adobe Photoshop is not hard to learn. The learning curve will depend on various factors. 

For most, it starts as a passion, and then later on, it becomes a career. That may take months or years, though. 

Structured learning can, on the other hand, help you get career-ready faster. 

  1. Take a look at Adobe’s in-house tutorials on Adobe Creative Cloud to get started with Photoshop learning. It has plenty of short tutorials to get you started with the tools and features of the software. That’s the best place to start.
  2. Once you grasp the basics and have practised with files from Adobe, you will be prepared with aspects such as filters, blending, colour correction, and retouching that you can further expand your learning on.
  3. The idea is to practise as much as you can. And ideally, never forget to keep experimenting with the features already available. Look at YouTube tutorials on Adobe Photoshop. The ones from Scott Kelly are good. 
  4. You should then look at courses from Skillshare or similar. Instructors, such as Emir Haj Salah, offer beginner-level Photoshop training with a comprehensive syllabus to perfect your techniques. One important note: only choose Adobe Photoshop courses that have good instructor or course ratings and reviews on course platforms; research on Reddit threads, too. 
  5. Once you gain some solid grasp, prepare for Adobe Photoshop Certifications. You can find training material on the official site and platforms like Coursera or Udemy.
  6. After obtaining a certification, you should focus on building a portfolio. Look for gigs at Upwork or Fiverr. There are plenty of portals. And if you have connections with friends working at marketing agencies, do that work and start building your portfolio.
  7. Also, start building a network. Use Behance to upload your work and use that link for your CV. Use Instagram to post your work and spread the word about it.

What Should You Learn In Adobe Photoshop?

Below is a table explaining the most important aspects of learning Adobe Photoshop. See which skill in Photoshop can be used for specific career purposes. 

Photoshop Skill/Tool

What It Helps You Learn

Career Benefits

Graphic Design

Layouts, typography, 3D design, and motion graphics

Create catchy marketing materials, ads, and digital artwork.

Compositing

Multiple images into seamless but cohesive designs.

Tell memorable visual stories as a photographer or designer.

Retouching

Portraits, landscapes, and wedding photos.

Deliver professional-quality images for clients.

Layers

Organisation of layers, blend modes, and Smart Objects.

Improve workflow and handle challenging projects with less effort.

Photography Tools

Lighting, candid shots, and enhancing techniques.

Improve photography skills and business potential.

Filters

Enhance photos and designs quickly.

Make faster edits and improve visual content.

Brushes

Use, create, and organise brushes for various artistic effects.

Bring creativity for unique artwork and designs.

Camera Raw & Bridge

Professional colour corrections and precise image adjustments.

Gain total control over images as a digital photographer.

Who Should Learn Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop courses welcome a wide range of learners. Here are some. 

  • Graphic designers seeking advanced techniques
  • Photographers wanting to enhance their post-processing skills
  • Marketing professionals doing social media or email marketing can create compelling visual content
  • Hobbyists exploring digital art and creativity

Q:   What are the skills required to study Photoshop?

A:

As it is a creative field; it requires candidates to have a creative approach and the ability to visualise. Given below are some more skillset required for the field:

Skillset for Photoshop
Strong Computer SkillsAble to communicate ideas
Know the art of sketching/drawing and designingStrong observing power
Knowledge of aesthetic principles in sketching, drawing or paintingTeam player
Communication skillsAttention for details

Q:   Can you suggest a course or degree related to Photoshop?

A:
You must opt for regular B.Sc multimedia, which will give you a vast knowledge about Adobe software as well as photography. Also, you can go for specialisation in photography and film making lately. Good luck.

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Photoshop. Students interested in pursuing a career on Photoshop, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Feb '25 - Mar '25

JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Applications Open

TENTATIVE

Apr '25

JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Application Correction Win...

TENTATIVE

May '25

CUCET 2025 Phase 1 Application Form Last Date

TENTATIVE

Jun '25

CUCET 2025 Phase 2 Exam Date

TENTATIVE

1 Aug ' 24

SHIATS 2024 Commencement of classes

22 Jul ' 24 - 30 Jul ' 24

SHIATS Entrance Exam 2024 Offline Counselling

Q:   Which is the no. 1 Photoshop college in India?

A:

Listed below are the best Photoshop colleges in India:

College NameTuition FeeEligibility / Exams
New Delhi YMCA INR 25,000Merit-Based
NIELIT DelhiINR 4,200Merit-Based
TGC Animation and MultimediaINR 57,500Merit-Based

Adobe Photoshop Courses Syllabus

Candidates can pursue Photoshop courses at Graduate, Postgraduate, Doctorate, as well as Diploma level in both offline and online mode. Here is the syllabus for multiple courses available in the field of Photoshop:

Semester 1

Introduction to Photoshop

Photoshop Interface and Workspace

Basic Tools and Functions

Selection Techniques

Working with Layers

Image Editing Basics
Semester 2

Advanced Tools and Techniques

Color Correction and Adjustment

Typography and Text Effects

Photo Retouching

Introduction to Graphic Design Principles

Project Work and Assignments

Semester 3

Advanced Image Manipulation

Vector Graphics and Shapes

Masking and Compositing

Advanced Filters and Effects

Digital Painting Techniques

Industry Internship or Practical Training

Semester 4

Web Design with Photoshop

UI/UX Design Basics

Animation and Video Editing

3D Modeling and Rendering (if applicable)

Portfolio Development

Project Presentation and Evaluation

Semester 5

Specialization Electives (e.g., Fashion Design, Photography, Digital Marketing)

Advanced Photoshop Projects

Professional Development Workshops

Industry Seminars and Guest Lectures

Research Project or Dissertation

------
Semester 6

Advanced Specialization Modules

Entrepreneurship and Business Development

Career Guidance and Placement Assistance

Final Project Exhibition

Comprehensive Exam or Thesis Defense

Graduation Ceremony

Relevant Link Related to Photoshop:

Animation Course Syllabus

Q:   What is the duration of Photoshop courses?

A:

Photoshop courses duration can vary depending on format and complexity. Online courses can be 2-3 hours of a week up to several weeks; offline classes can range from a few days to a few months boot camps, intensive programs, usually 1-2 weeks.

Q:   Do they teach photoshop in BCA?

A:
No, they don't teach us to photoshop in BCA but the creative team conducts many workshops throughout the year in which potential interested students can learn the art of designing and editing, plus many members of the group are there to help you out. Good luck!

Best Photoshop Course Colleges in India

Candidates can check the top popular government and private colleges that offer Animation courses mentioned below. Candidates must note that the colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.

Popular Photoshop Private Colleges

Students can see the below table to learn the names of private colleges offering Photoshop courses:

Photoshop Private Colleges Photoshop Fees 
Arena Animation, Mumbai -----
Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur -----
Arena Animation, Delhi -----
Big Art Institute, Mumbai INR 35000 to INR 1 lakh
Davinci Media College, Chennai -----
Picasso Animation College, Delhi -----
Samskara Academy, Delhi INR 7000
TGC Animation and Multimedia INR 57000
YMCA, New Delhi INR 25000
ZICA Institute, Indore -----

Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.

Popular Photoshop Government Colleges for Photoshop Course

The names of government colleges offering Photoshop courses are:

Photoshop Government Colleges Photoshop Fees
National Institute of Design, Gandhi Nagar INR 9.9 lakh
NIELET, Delhi INR 4200
NIELET, Kolkata ------
NIELET, Guwahatai ------
NIELET, Gangtok INR 10500

Note: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.

20 K
28.95 K
1 Course
9.97 L
4.2 K

Q:   What are the certificate courses in Photoshop?

A:

Students interested in studying Photoshop courses can study at certification levels:

Photoshop Courses
Popular Online Certificate Courses
  • Adobe Photoshop CC

  • Adobe Photoshop CC 2020 course from A-Z Beginners to Master

  • The Ultimate 2D/3D Photoshop & Graphic Design Course

  • Graphic Design Specialization

  • Learn Adobe Photoshop CS6 & CC from Scratch

  • Adobe Photoshop CC Essentials Photoshop Masterclass

  • Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 Made Easy

Popular Offline Certificate Courses
  • Certificate in Animation with Photoshop

  • Certificate in Photoshop

Q:   Which are the top institutes offering Photoshop courses?

A:

The name of different institutes offering Photoshop courses are:

InstitutesCity
Arena AnimationMumbai
ZICAIndore
DaVinci Media CollegeChennai
National Institute of DesignGandhinagar
Picasso Animation CollegeDelhi
Samskara AcademyPune 
NIELIT Delhi - National Institute of Electronics and Information TechnologyDelhi

Q:   What is the cost of studying Photoshop in India?

A:

Listed below are the best Photoshop colleges in India in different fee ranges:

Fee RangeNo. of CollegesPopular Colleges
< INR 1 lakh40New Delhi YMCA, NIELIT Delhi, TGC Animation, etc.
INR 1-2 lakh2Big Art Institute, Exterior Interior Limited
> INR 5 lakh1NID Gandhinagar

Popular Private Photoshop Colleges in India

20 K
28.95 K
1 Course
9.97 L

Photoshop Course Career Scope, Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

Photoshop is an essential tool for a wide range of businesses due to its extensive and varied professional scope and uses. Photoshop's features can be utilised by aspiring photographers, digital marketers, graphic designers, web designers, and artists to produce visually attractive content.

Photoshop is used by web designers to develop website layouts, user interfaces, and interactive features; in the field of graphic design, it is used to produce logos, posters, brochures, and other marketing materials.

Photoshop Job Profiles and Salary

There are multiple companies that hire candidates who have Photoshop degrees. Given below are some of the job profiles related to this field:

Photoshop Jobs Job Description
Photoshop Salary 
Photo Editor Edits and enhances digital photographs, adjusts color and lighting, removes imperfections, and prepares images for various purposes (print, web, etc.). INR 3-6 LPA
Graphic Designer Creates visual content using Photoshop for marketing materials, brochures, social media graphics, presentations, and other design projects. INR 4-8 LPA
Web Designer Designs user interfaces (UIs) and user experiences (UX) for websites and web applications, using Photoshop to create mockups and layouts. INR 4-8 LPA
Product Photographer Photographs products for e-commerce websites, catalogs, and marketing materials, using Photoshop for post-processing and editing. INR 4-7 LPA
Social Media Manager Creates and manages social media content, using Photoshop to design engaging visuals for various platforms. INR 3-5 LPA
Marketing Specialist Develops and executes marketing campaigns, utilizing Photoshop to create graphics, presentations, and other marketing materials. INR 4-7 LPA
User Interface (UI) Designer Designs user interfaces for mobile apps, websites, and software applications, using Photoshop for prototyping and creating visual assets. INR 4-8 LPA
Retoucher Specializes in advanced photo editing techniques to remove imperfections, enhance beauty, and restore old photographs. INR 4-7 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

Top Photoshop Recruiters 

Some of the top recruiters for photoshop include:

Photoshop Top Recruiters

Acer 

Google Inc

Amazon Global Vision

Pent media graphics

Accenture

Maya Entertainment

Adobe Systems Pvt. Ltd

Reliance media works Ltd.

Google vision

UTV Toonz

Relevant Link Related to Photoshop Careers:

Top 10 Animation Companies That Hire Freshers

Q:   What are the top job profiles after completing Photoshop course in India?

A:

Here are some of the photoshop scope in India:

Job Profile
Average Salary 
Photo EditorINR 3-6 LPA
Graphic DesignerINR 4-8 LPA
Web DesignerINR 4-8 LPA
Product PhotographerINR 4-7 LPA
Social Media ManagerINR 3-5 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

Q:   Can you name some top companies that hire Photoshop graduates?

A:

Below are some of the top companies for Photoshop graduates:

 

Photoshop Companies

Amazon Global Vision

Pent media graphics

Accenture

Maya Entertainment

Adobe Systems Pvt. Ltd

Reliance media works Ltd.

Google vision

UTV Toonz

Photoshop Course FAQs

Following are some common FAQs for Photoshop courses:

Q:   What are the different types of Photoshop courses available?

A:

There are multiple ways for you to learn Photoshop classes. You can try to enroll on any of the following:

Online courses: Flexible and accessible through video tutorials, downloadable resources, and self-paced learning.
Face-to-face classes: This type of classes provides a formal learning environment with physical interaction and interpersonal contact with a teacher.
Boot camps: Intensive programs planned to equip you within a short period of time with all Photoshop skills.
Private tutoring: You receive one-on-one instructional service, depending on your needs and goals.

Q:   What are the fee details to learn photoshop?

A:
It can range from anywhere between Rs 5k to 15k all depending on the institute that you are choosing.

Top Adobe Photoshop Courses Online to Choose in 2024-25

Below are some of the bestselling courses on Photoshop, updated to the latest version and topics. 

Course Name 

Duration

Adobe Photoshop CC Essentials | Photoshop Retouching on Udemy

36.5 hours

Photoshop Essential Training: The Basics on LinkedIn Learning

7 hours

Online Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on Creo Valley

50 hours

 

Popular Photoshop UG Courses

Following are the most popular Photoshop UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Photoshop PG Courses

Following are the most popular Photoshop PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 months ago

Below are some of the top companies for Photoshop graduates:

 

Photoshop Companies

Amazon Global Vision

Pent media graphics

Accenture

Maya Entertainment

Adobe Systems Pvt. Ltd

Reliance media works Ltd.

Google vision

UTV Toonz

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some of the photoshop scope in India:

Job Profile
Average Salary 
Photo EditorINR 3-6 LPA
Graphic DesignerINR 4-8 LPA
Web DesignerINR 4-8 LPA
Product PhotographerINR 4-7 LPA
Social Media ManagerINR 3-5 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

There are multiple ways for you to learn Photoshop classes. You can try to enroll on any of the following:

Online courses: Flexible and accessible through video tutorials, downloadable resources, and self-paced learning.
Face-to-face classes: This type of classes provides a formal learning environment

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The name of different institutes offering Photoshop courses are:

InstitutesCity
Arena AnimationMumbai
ZICAIndore
DaVinci Media CollegeChennai
National Institute of DesignGandhinagar
Picasso Animation CollegeDelhi
Samskara AcademyPune 
NIELIT Delhi - National Institute of Electronics and Information TechnologyDelhi

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Students interested in studying Photoshop courses can study at certification levels:

Photoshop Courses
Popular Online Certificate Courses
  • Adobe Photoshop CC

  • Adobe Photoshop CC 2020 course from A-Z Beginners to Master

  • The Ultimate 2D/3D Photoshop & Graphic Design Course

  • Graphic Design Specialization

  • Learn Adobe Photoshop CS6 & CC from Scratch

  • Adobe Photoshop CC Essentials Photoshop Masterclass

  • Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 Made Easy

Popular Offline Certificate Courses
  • Certificate in Animation with Photoshop

  • Certificate in Photoshop

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

As it is a creative field; it requires candidates to have a creative approach and the ability to visualise. Given below are some more skillset required for the field:

Skillset for Photoshop
Strong Computer SkillsAble to communicate ideas
Know the art of sketching/drawing and designingStrong observing power
Knowledge of aesthetic principles in sketching, drawing or paintingTeam player
Communication skillsAttention for details

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Photoshop courses duration can vary depending on format and complexity. Online courses can be 2-3 hours of a week up to several weeks; offline classes can range from a few days to a few months boot camps, intensive programs, usually 1-2 weeks.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Photoshop courses cater to a wide range of learners, from complete beginners with no prior experience to photographers, graphic designers, and web designers looking to enhance their existing skills.  There are courses designed for specific goals, such as photo editing, creating graphics, or masterin

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No, learning the basics of Photoshop is not difficult. It is an easy photo-editing software for starters. Though Photoshop has so many features and capabilities, it is not hard to understand all of them at once; just with proper dedication, practice, and self or professional instruction via tutoria

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, Photoshop is appropriate for beginners, especially now that there are online lessons, courses, and guidelines available. Photoshop has sophisticated functionality for experts, but it also has tools that are easy to use and interfaces that are beginner-friendly. Beginners can pick up important s

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

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