How to Edit a Photo in Photoshop: The 2025 Beginner's Guide

Why learn how to edit a photo in Photoshop

Whatever the source—advertisements, studio portraits, product photos, or branded content, Photoshop is the tool almost always used to give the visuals a finishing touch. Its editing capabilities are the main reason ordinary pictures become standout, high-quality images.

The layer-based workflow of Photoshop offers the creators the freedom to have command of each photo element down to the last detail. On top of layers, masks, adjustment tools, and filters, Photoshop also has advanced AI features that together make both the simplest and the most complex edits a tad easier.

Core editing workflow: The fundamentals

STEP 1
1. Crop your photo

First, use the "Crop Tool" to resize and recompose your photo. With cropping, you can get rid of unwanted sides, correct the framing, and even straighten a tilted horizon line.

STEP 2
1. Fix colors and lighting

Modify exposure, contrast, and overall tone using "New Adjustment Layers" such as levels, curves, and brightness/contrast.

STEP 3
1. Make selective edits with layers and masks

If you want to change only some parts of a photo, Photoshop is the perfect tool for you. Use a layer mask to control which parts of a layer remain visible: black hides, white shows. For instance, you can lighten a person's face without affecting the background, or you can darken only the sky to create a certain atmosphere.

Advanced editing techniques to edit a photo in Photoshop

After you have learned the basics, you can move on to advanced editing techniques that elevate your images. Such techniques provide you with more precise control over the details, greater creativity, and the ability to achieve professional-level results.

How to edit the background of a photo in Photoshop

The background is the main contributor to a photo's visual energy. Knowing how to take off, clean up, or change backgrounds can help you create images that look highly professional, draw attention to your subject, and even change the vibe of your photo entirely. Here's how to edit a photo with Photoshop:

Method A: Simple background removal

For photos with clear, plain backgrounds, you can quickly remove the background using Photoshop's Object Selection Tool.

STEP 1
1. Select the "Object Selection Tool" from the toolbar and drag around your subject.
STEP 2
2. Press "Delete" to remove the background.
STEP 3
3. Deselect (Ctrl+D/Cmd+D) and make minor refinements if needed.

Method B: Editing complex backgrounds

When the background contains fine details such as hair, objects, or textures, you need a more precise approach using masks.

STEP 1
1. Go to Select > Subject to create an initial selection of your subject.
STEP 2
2. Open "Select and Mask" and use the "Refine Edge Brush" to clean detailed edges.
STEP 3
3. Output as a "Layer Mask" for safe, non-destructive editing.

Method C: Background replacement

To completely change the scene, you can add a new background behind your subject for a fresh look.

STEP 1
1. Remove or mask the original background using Method A or B.
STEP 2
2. Add a new layer and place your replacement background behind the subject.
STEP 3
3. Adjust size, position, and color using "Adjustment Layers" to blend the subject naturally with the new background.

How to edit a photo with AI in Photoshop

AI-powered tools in Photoshop in 2025 are the main reason complicated edits are completed more quickly and conveniently than ever before. In fact, from automatic selections to content generation, these new features attract both beginners and professionals, enabling impressive results that formerly took hours. Here's how to edit a photo in Photoshop:

• Select Subject

Automatically and accurately use the "Select Subject" tool for the selection of people, objects, or main elements in your picture. Thus, you eliminate manual outlining, and your work will still take less than half the time.

• Sky Replacement

With "Sky Replacement," the sky in your pictures can be automatically adjusted or enhanced. The tool lets you select from the pre-set skies or add your own, while the color, lighting, and reflections are all adjusted to fit the new sky naturally.

• Generative Fill

"Generative Fill" means a new frontier in AI Technology - the ultimate power can be harnessed to effortlessly remove unwanted objects, create new content, and enlarge picture areas. Just highlight the region, enter your idea, and let Photoshop blend the styling flawlessly to produce lifelike results.

How to edit a RAW photo in Photoshop

RAW files are the digital equivalent of film negatives, hence the name 'digital negatives'. They store all data from the camera sensor in its raw, unprocessed form. Unlike JPEGs, RAW files retain maximum detail and allow more precise adjustments without loss of image quality.

Anytime you try to open a RAW image in Photoshop, the program automatically opens it in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). With this workspace, you can be very precise when adjusting exposure, white balance, contrast, highlights, shadows, etc.

How to edit a green screen photo in Photoshop

Working on green screen pictures lets you change the background in a snap and in a neat way. Photoshop makes this pretty simple by using color selection and masking methods.

STEP 1
1. Choose the green background

With the help of the "Color Range," select the green parts of your image. In this way, the background is automatically selected, and the rest of the image remains unchanged.

STEP 2
1. Erase or cover the background

Put a mask on a "Solid Color" adjustment layer to change or remove the green background. Next, you are free to bring in any background you want, and the subject will still be separated perfectly.

How to edit text in a photo in Photoshop

Changing or inserting words in an image is easily done with Photoshop's native text instruments. If you are merely updating text or adding new labels, the process is fast and accurate.

STEP 1
1. Add or edit text with the Type Tool

Typing new words or clicking existing editable text layers to change them is done with the "Type Tool (T)". Here, you can also change the text's words, style, and position, which is very convenient.

STEP 2
1. Match the original style

Font, size, and color should match the original text if you want to merge your writing with the photo visually. For an exact color match, use the "Eyedropper Tool" and adjust the spacing or effects to maintain the appearance.

How to edit part of a photo in Photoshop

Photoshop's selection tools allow you to isolate and change a part of a photo without changing the rest of the image. If you only need to modify a particular area of a photo, for instance, make the face brighter, sharpen an object, or change one color. 

STEP 1
1. Select the area you want to edit

By means of such tools as the "Lasso," "Marquee," or "Object Selection," depict the exact portion of the picture in which you intend to work.

STEP 2
1. Apply edits with a layer mask

To make your changes only to the selected area, insert a "Layer Mask." With this tool, you can make the selected parts brighter, darker, or color-correct them, as well as retouch them, and the rest of the photo will still be there.

While Photoshop is powerful, not everyone needs such a complex workspace. That's where CapCut comes in, giving you quick, free, and easy editing options perfect for everyday creators.

Cost-effective and easy alternative to edit photos: CapCut

Photoshop is perfect for extremely detailed, high-end professional editing, but not every piece of work requires such a complex level of editing. Sometimes you just need a quick AI-powered tool that can upgrade your photos, apply creative effects, and automate boring tasks — all without a steep learning curve. This is precisely what CapCut does. It provides photo editing features such as built-in templates, filters, one-click enhancements, background removal, and the AI design tool, all simple, fast, and accessible to anyone.

If you are a photo editor on a tight budget and want to achieve efficient, beautiful results, then CapCut is the right assistant for you. Try CapCut now and create stunning visuals in minutes.

Key features

• AI design generator: Powered by Seedream 4.0 and Nano Banana models, CapCut's AI design tool allows users to generate images based on a text prompt for free.
• AI background remover: CapCut's built-in image background remover supports users in removing a messy image background or changing it with one click.
• AI tools: There are four AI tools for image polishing, including inpaint, remove, expand, and upscale. They allow editing images automatically.
• Image template library: CapCut gives you many image templates that are ready and perfect for social media posts, ads, and product visuals.
• Creative elements: Add stickers, stylish text effects, effects, and filters to personalize your photos in CapCut easily.

How to edit or design photos with CapCut desktop

STEP 1
1. Upload your image

Launch CapCut on your desktop and head to the "AI design" section. Upload the image you want to enhance or enter a prompt describing the style or transformation you want. Press "Send" to let the AI generate an edited version of your photo.

STEP 2
1. Customize the image

Use the "+" button to add text, shapes, or stickers for a personalized look.

You can further polish your photo using AI tools like "Inpaint," "Expand," "Upscale," or "Remove" to fix areas, enhance quality, or adjust details.

STEP 3
1. Export the edited image

Once you're satisfied with your edits, simply click "Download > Copy as PNG."

If you just know how to edit a photo in Photoshop, then thousands of creative opportunities lie open for you. Still, Photoshop is the main weapon because of its potent layers, masks, and the ultimate precision that lets you tweak every single detail. Its adaptability is what makes it indispensable for any kind of professional work, be it the retouching of product photos, portraits, or the making of intricate composites. However, Photoshop is complex and expensive for users, so if you want an easy and cost-effective alternative, CapCut is the best choice, which provides an AI design tool and rich image editing features. Try it today to level up your images!

FAQs

1
1. What is the easiest way to edit a photo in Photoshop?

The simplest method would be to use fundamental instruments such as Crop, Adjustment Layers, and Quick Selection. These can be used to fix exposure, color, and composition easily. Beginners can also use CapCut for quicker edits, which provides AI-powered enhancements and templates for instant, neat outputs.

2
1. How to use Photoshop's Generative Fill tool for editing?

The Generative Fill tool allows users to remove an object, enlarge an area, or add new content with the help of AI. Choose the part to be altered, type out a description of the change, and Photoshop will do the rest. If you want a simple AI edit without giving a prompt, CapCut has one-click AI tools that can give you a similar result in less time.

3
1. Is Photoshop free to edit a photo?

Photoshop is not free; it is paid software that is generally available through a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. However, if you only need to make a few basic photo edits or want to quickly enhance your photos with AI, CapCut is a free or low-cost option that can do most of the work with minimal effort on your part.

To edit an eye-catching image, learn more information here:

Online photo editor like Photoshop