
Coming from a panorama background, I realized to do most of primary my post-processing in Lightroom. As my images continued to evolve over the previous few years, I’ve stored a unclean little secret: I barely know the right way to do something in Photoshop.
Now that my shopper base has grown and I’m working in a extra numerous vary of genres, I knew it was time to face the intimidating beast also referred to as Photoshop. So after I was given the chance to attempt Nicolesy’s Layers & Masks Masterclass Video Coaching for Photoshop, I jumped on the chance.
The course creator is Nicole S. Younger, knowledgeable photographer and creator primarily based in Oregon, USA. Younger’s love of instructing has led her to create quite a lot of instruments and academic content material for photographers of all skills. Her newest endeavor units out to offer thorough video-based coaching on Photoshop’s cornerstone options, Layers and Masking.
Editor’s word: Nicolesy despatched us her masterclass to evaluate and maintain. Nevertheless, that is an impartial evaluate. All ideas about this product are our personal. We have now not been influenced in any manner. We inform you this as we at all times need to be clear with you.
Need to save on Nicolesy’s Layers & Masks Masterclass Video Coaching for Photoshop? Use the code PHOTOFOCUS to get 20% off!
Getting began with the Layers and Masks Masterclass
When you’ve ordered and paid for the masterclass, you’ll obtain an electronic mail with a hyperlink to obtain the course. As a result of the modules are all video-based, permit about half an hour to obtain the entire content material. The course comprises simply over six hours of video coaching. I personally took two days to undergo the course, as I additionally frolicked pausing the movies to observe alongside in Photoshop.

The course is comprised of 9 completely different chapters. Every chapter is damaged down into small, simply digestible video segments. The longest video is 25 minutes, however most are below 10 minutes.
Additionally supplied is an 88-page workbook that acts as a desk of contents, in addition to a pocket book. Nevertheless, as a result of this is available in a PDF format, I didn’t use it to take notes. Having every labeled video saved on my pc, I feel will probably be simpler to simply return to particular segments sooner or later to refresh myself on them. What I do advocate is printing out pages 84-86 as they include a useful record of keyboard shortcuts.
Diving in

The course begins by introducing the basics of layers and organising your workspace in Photoshop. It then does a deeper dive into adjustment layers, mixing modes and managing layers. Chapters 6–8 cowl masking and alternatives and channels. Lastly, chapter 9 ties all of it collectively by strolling you thru real-world examples with the supplied undertaking recordsdata.
For somebody like me who’s fairly new to Photoshop, I did discover myself getting a bit misplaced right here and there. However the great thing about this course is that every part is basically brief so it’s straightforward to return over particular sections. I actually appreciated not having to wade by means of tons of content material every time I needed to refresh on one thing.

Professionals
- Quick, to the purpose movies for every subject
- Explanations of every subject are adopted by sensible examples in Photoshop
- Visible prompts pop up every time a keyboard shortcut is used
- The cursor has a yellow circle round it which lets you simply observe alongside together with her course of
- Downloadable undertaking recordsdata mean you can observe when you study
- Eight sensible hands-on tasks on the finish mean you can put what you’ve realized into observe
Cons
- I might have appreciated to see prompted hands-on studying all through the course, not simply on the finish (after all, you may cease and do that by yourself at any time)
- I might have appreciated extra sensible, widespread examples equivalent to masking out a lightweight stand and assistant with a plate shot versus a few of the different artsy varieties of demonstrations
General impressions of Nicolesy’s Layers & Masks Masterclass

General I used to be fairly impressed with this course. I cherished the straightforward, clear format. The narration is concise and clear with out bogging you down with an excessive amount of info. Having the visible aids for every keyboard shortcut pop up each time she used one actually helped me memorize them all through the course.
I recognize that I’ve the content material saved on my pc which is able to permit me to rapidly entry modules sooner or later as wanted. I might positively advocate this course to anybody keen on studying about masking and layers in Photoshop.
Need to save on Nicolesy’s Layers & Masks Masterclass Video Coaching for Photoshop? Use the code PHOTOFOCUS to get 20% off!