Photoshop is a very powerful tool, but its powerful features come with huge responsibilities - or in this case, common mistakes. Even experienced users may fall into traps that affect their work quality or slow down their workflow. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, avoiding these common mistakes will help you save time, produce better results, and improve efficiency.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common Photoshop errors and provide tips on how to fix them.
1. Unable to use layers correctly
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Many users, especially beginners, forget to use layers or fail to organize layers correctly. Photoshop layers allow you to edit different elements of an image without affecting other elements, achieving non-destructive editing. If you flatten or merge layers too early, it will become more difficult to make adjustments in the future.
How to fix it:
Always use separate layers for different elements such as text, images, and effects.
Name your layers and group them for better organization. Right click on the layer panel and select "Layer Grouping" for complex projects.
Avoid flattening the image before the editing process is complete.
Benefits:
By using layers, you can maintain flexibility and control, making it easier to make changes and adjustments.
2. Overuse of sharpening tools
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It is tempting to apply sharpness to every image, especially when the subject is a bit soft or out of focus. However, excessive sharpening can create unnatural halos or noise around the edges, making the image appear artificial or grainy.
How to fix it:
Using intelligent sharpening techniques, such as combining high pass filters with layer masks, to selectively sharpen only the desired areas.
Apply sharpening at the end of the workflow, adjusting according to the resolution and output requirements of the image.
Zoom in to 100% to assess how much sharpening is needed and avoid excessive sharpening.
Benefits:
Proper sharpening can enhance details without introducing unnecessary artifacts or textures, making your image look natural and professional.
3. Forgot to save
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It's easy to get stuck in the editing process and forget to regularly save your work, especially for long or complex projects. Photoshop may crash, or your computer may freeze, causing hours of work to disappear.
How to fix it:
Use auto save: Go to "Edit">"Preferences">"File Handling", make sure to enable auto save to save your work periodically.
Save Incremental Version: Key points during the editing process save your work as a new file (e.g. "Project-v1. PSD", "Project-v2. PSD", etc.). In this way, if there is a problem, you won't lose everything.
Using cloud storage: Synchronize your work with cloud services such as Adobe Creative Cloud or Google Drive for automatic backup.
Benefits:
By regularly saving and using backups, you can minimize the risk of losing progress due to software crashes or system failures.
4. Do not use non-destructive editing techniques
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One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is using destructive editing methods. This includes applying filters, adjustments, or transformations directly to the original layer, which cannot be undone without restarting.
How to fix it:
Use adjustment layers for lossless color, brightness, or contrast changes. These layers allow you to adjust the settings later without modifying the original image.
Apply layer masks to selectively hide or display certain parts of a layer instead of permanently erasing them.
Use intelligent objects for filtering and transformation. This can maintain the integrity and editability of the image.
Benefits:
Non destructive editing allows you to make changes at any time in the workflow, making it easier to recover if you change your mind.
5. Not using the correct solution
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Processing low resolution images can affect the overall quality of the project, especially when preparing to print the images. On the other hand, processing unnecessary high-resolution files can slow down the computer and make file size difficult to manage.
How to fix it:
Check resolution before starting: For printing, use a resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch), and for digital use, 72 DPI is usually sufficient.
Adjust image size as needed: If you are using high-resolution images for the web, consider resizing them to match the expected display size to avoid excessive file size and slow loading speed.
Benefits:
Using the correct resolution can ensure that your images look clear when printed or displayed online, while preventing unnecessary large files that may slow down your workflow.
6. Misuse of Clone Seal Tool
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Although cloning stamp tools are a good way to eliminate defects or duplicate elements, if used accidentally, they can also introduce visible seams or create unnatural patterns. It is easy to accidentally clone parts of an image that do not seamlessly match the surrounding area.
How to fix it:
When blending pixels in areas such as skin or background, use the 'Repair Brush Tool' instead of 'Clone Stamp'. The repair brush will automatically blend the source pixel with the surrounding area.
Use soft, low opacity clone stamps and sample from multiple areas to avoid duplicate patterns.
Use layer masks to blend the cloned area more smoothly into the rest of the image.
Benefits:
By using Healing Brush and paying attention to cloning, you can avoid obvious errors and create more natural effects.
7. Do not use keyboard shortcuts
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Photoshop comes with many tools and features, but constantly searching menus will slow you down. Many users do not fully utilize keyboard shortcuts, which can significantly improve workflow speed.
How to fix it:
Familiar with the most common Photoshop shortcuts (e.g. Ctrl+Z for undo, Ctrl+T for free transformation, Ctrl+J for copying layers).
Customize shortcut keys for your frequently used operations by going to "Edit">"Keyboard Shortcuts".
Automatically execute repetitive tasks using actions and scripts.
Benefits:
Mastering keyboard shortcuts can help you browse Photoshop faster, improve your overall productivity, and give you more time to focus on creative tasks.
8. Ignore color management
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Color inconsistency between monitors, Photoshop, and final output devices (such as printers, websites) is a common issue. Photoshop provides color management options, but if set incorrectly, it may result in inaccurate color reproduction.
How to fix it:
Calibrate your monitor to ensure that the colors on the screen match the print or network output.
Set the color profile correctly in Photoshop by going to Edit>Color Settings. Use Adobe RGB for printing and sRGB for networking.
Always check the color mode of the document - RGB is used for screen based work, CMYK is used for printing.
Benefits:
By managing color profiles and calibrating displays, you can ensure accurate and consistent colors in your project, whether it's digital display or printing.
9. Overuse of filters and effects
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Filters and effects can be fun to use, but excessive use can lead to images that are cluttered or overly formulaic, lacking subtle nuances. It is easy to get carried away and add too many effects, making the final image look messy or unnatural.
How to fix it:
Be cautious when using filters, only when they serve the composition or concept of the image.
Use adjustment layers to adjust the intensity of the effect, making it more subtle.
Focus on achieving a balanced and clean appearance, rather than relying on too many filters to 'fix' the image.
Benefits:
A more minimalist approach to filters and effects will help your design stay professional and refined, rather than looking overly exaggerated.
10. Forgetting to prove your work
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Sometimes, after working on a project for several hours, it's easy to miss out on small issues such as text misalignment, pixelated edges, or unintentional color differences. Skipping the proofreading step may result in errors slipping away, affecting the final quality of your work.
How to fix it:
Before completing work, take a break and start working again with a new perspective.
Zoom in and out, check pixel details, and view your project on different devices or screens (if it is for digital purposes).
Seek feedback from colleagues or friends to discover anything you may have missed.
Benefits:
Proofreading ensures that your work is perfect and professional, discovering small errors before they become bigger problems.
