Adobe Photoshop is the industry-leading image editing software that has transformed digital visual content since its 1990 release. Initially designed for basic photo manipulation, it has evolved into a comprehensive suite of tools professionals use for everything from photo retouching to digital art creation, web design, and marketing visual content.
At its core, Photoshop allows users to manipulate digital images at the pixel level, offering unprecedented control over every aspect of visual content. This makes it an essential tool for businesses looking to create professional marketing materials, enhance product photography, develop branded content, and maintain visual consistency across digital platforms.
For businesses investing in digital marketing, understanding Photoshop’s capabilities isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about recognising how professional image editing can elevate brand presence and communication.
“Photoshop has fundamentally changed how businesses approach visual content creation. What was once accessible only to design agencies is now a core competency for forward-thinking marketing teams. The companies that harness its power effectively gain a significant competitive advantage in visual communication,” explains Ciaran Connolly, Director of ProfileTree.
What is Photoshop? The History and Evolution
Photoshop was initially created in 1987 by brothers Thomas and John Knoll as a basic image editing program, Display. It caught the attention of software company Adobe, which licensed and released Photoshop 1.0 in 1990 exclusively for Apple. Early versions focused on basic image editing for digital devices.
In 1992, Photoshop 2.0 supported CMYK colour models, JPEG compression, and greyscale editing. Layers were introduced in Photoshop 3.0, revolutionising image compositing and manipulation. Further milestones included adjustment layers (4.0), editable type (5.0), editable vector shapes (7.0), and Camera RAW editing (Photoshop CS).
Major recent releases include:
Photoshop CS2 (2005) – Vanishing point, spot healing brush
CS3 (2007) – Non-destructive smart filters, 3D editing
CS4 (2008) – Smoother panoramas, adjustment panel
CS5 (2010) – Content-aware fill, puppet warp
CS6 (2012) – Video editing, blur gallery
CC (2013) – Cloud sync, advanced 3D tools
CC 2014 – Focus masking, linked smart objects
CC 2015 – Artboards, glyph/font management
With each version, Photoshop continues expanding its image creation, editing and compositing capabilities. Thanks to Adobe’s constant innovation and large user community, it retains its dominance.
Types of Photoshop
Adobe offers several Photoshop variants, each designed for different use cases and skill levels:
Adobe Photoshop CC (Creative Cloud)
This professional, full-featured version includes all Photoshop tools and capabilities. It’s designed for:
Photoshop CC is available through Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription, which includes regular updates with new features and improvements.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
This simplified version is aimed at beginners and casual users who need core image editing capabilities without the learning curve of the full version:
Guided editing modes for everyday tasks
Streamlined interface with fewer complex options
One-time purchase option (not subscription-based)
Focused on everyday photo editing needs for small businesses
Elements provides an accessible entry point for businesses with occasional image editing needs or those just starting to build internal design capabilities.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
While technically a separate application, Lightroom complements Photoshop with a focus on photo management and enhancement:
Specialised for photographers and image libraries
Powerful organisation tools for extensive image collections
Non-destructive editing preserves originals
Batch processing for efficient workflow
Cloud synchronisation across devices
Lightroom’s organisational capabilities provide significant workflow advantages for businesses managing extensive product photography or maintaining large image libraries.
Which type of Photoshop is right for you?
The best type of Photoshop for you depends on your needs and budget. If you are a professional photographer or graphic designer, you will need the full version of Photoshop CC. Photoshop Elements may be a better option for you if you are a hobbyist or beginner. And if you are looking for photo editing and management software specifically designed for photographers, then Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a good choice.
What is Photoshop CC?
Photoshop CC stands for Creative Cloud, a version of Photoshop that is available via subscription. It is considered a licensed version and is preferred for professional applications.
Photoshop CC is available as part of a suite with Photoshop Lightroom and the broader Creative Cloud subscription. It’s an advanced imaging software used by web professionals, video editors, and professional photographers.
There is a significant learning curve, so novices are typically swayed away from Photoshop CC.
What is Photoshop Elements?
Photoshop Elements is the preferred program for beginners and everyday consumers. It contains many of the capabilities found in Adobe Photoshop CC, but it is much more streamlined and simplistic.
It’s built using the same core digital editing software and technology as the more powerful Photoshop CC. With Adobe Elements, users can manipulate colour, crop, repair flaws on a whim, and draw on the image.
Limitations and What Photoshop Is Used For
When it comes to using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, the best option will depend on your preference and type of photography. However, there are specific areas where Photoshop will outperform Lightroom.
For example, if you need advanced retouching at the pixel-by-pixel level or more advanced techniques, then Photoshop is preferred. Composites and HDR will also fare better within Photoshop.
Photoshop allows you to create panoramas. Lightroom also has this ability, but you have less control over the effect and final product.
Choosing the Right Photoshop Version for Your Business
The version that best fits your business depends on your:
In-house design expertise level
Frequency and complexity of image editing needs
Budget constraints and ROI expectations
Integration requirements with existing workflows
Despite its learning curve, many businesses benefit from the full Photoshop CC version, which provides the most comprehensive toolset for creating professional visual content. The Photography Plan, which includes Photoshop CC and Lightroom, offers excellent value for organisations with extensive visual content needs.
Brief History of Photoshop
The history of Adobe Photoshop begins in 1987, when Ph.D. student Tom Knoll created a graphics application on a Macintosh Plus. The rudimentary software could display grey-scale images on a monochrome display.
Tom’s brother, John, was a photographer who persuaded him to turn it into image-editing software. Initially, Tom called his finished product ImagePro.
Two years later, Adobe bought his program. Finally, on 1 February 1990, Adobe released Photoshop 1.0. It was dedicated to high-end platforms and solely utilised by professionals. With future reiterations, Photoshop became much more advanced in editing images.
Photoshop 2.0 and 2.5 introduced the pen tool, CMYK colour, and colour palettes. Photoshop 4.0 introduced the user interface that most users are familiar with today.
Development of Photoshop Functions
Photoshop 5.0 was released on 1 May 1998. It added its newest function: editing text and undoing actions using the history palette. This version also significantly simplified area selection.
At the dawn of the new millennium, Photoshop 6.0 emerged, spotlighting vector shapes and blending options. As Photoshop evolved, additional software was used in a sort of suite. Creative Suite caters to all design needs, from graphic design to photography and video editing. Photoshop CS – or Photoshop 8.0 – came out in 2003.
With this form of Photoshop, designers had access to scripts and languages. Throughout the second half of the 2000s, CS2 and CS3 came out, with many corresponding tools making editing easier for professional photographers.
These versions added the red-eye removal tool and made it much easier to navigate the software.
Popular Adobe Photoshop Plug-Ins
One of the other reasons it has endured is that it is easy to add additional functions using third-party plug-ins. Essentially, these are extra pieces of software that can be added to Photoshop and accessed directly as you manipulate images.
Let’s look at a few of the most popular examples of plug-ins for Photoshop.
Pexels Plugin
The Pexel Plugin is one of the more popular plug-ins for designers who need access to a pool of stock images for their projects. This plug-in allows easy access to the website’s stash of photos without requiring you to open additional applications or windows.
RH Hover Colour Picker
This plug-in is perfect for those who work closely with colour. This lightweight plug-in lets you quickly pick a colour for the occasion or a specific effect. You’ll also be able to customise your colour with sliders, providing more control than the standard colour picker that comes with Photoshop.
Filter Forge
Speaking of filters, this plug-in is the go-to application for those who want to apply visual effects to images while enhancing them. There are over 12,000 user-created filters to choose from.
Version 6 of Filter Forge offers complete 64-bit support for Mac and Windows, with version 7.0 releasing an array of upgrades.
Corel ParticleShop
If you create digital art with Photoshop, Particle Shop will streamline the process. You can access 11 brushes that will bring your composites to life, enhancing your paintings, photos, and illustrations with custom textures.
The versatile plug-in can also be used with pressure-sensitive tablets or a touchscreen laptop.
What Is The Latest Version of Photoshop?
In the past couple of years, Adobe has shifted how it sells its applications, opting for a renting model. This decision was made to help thwart piracy and unauthorised access to Adobe applications.
Instead of a one-time purchase to use their software, Adobe is now adopting a subscription service for those who want to use their image editing applications. This subscription service includes 100 GB of cloud storage, video tutorials, and your portfolio website.
For those serious about editing or using Adobe Photoshop for professional services, you’ll have access to Creative Cloud All Apps for a higher charge. This subscription brings all of Adobe’s software, including Illustrator, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro.
Resources for learning more about Photoshop:
Here are some resources where you can learn more about Photoshop:
Adobe Photoshop Tutorials: This website includes a variety of tutorials on how to use Photoshop, from beginner to advanced topics.
Photoshop Essentials: This book by Russell Brown is a good introduction to Photoshop for beginners.
Photoshop Masterclass: Bert Monroy’s book is a more in-depth guide to Photoshop for intermediate and advanced users.
ProfileTree Web and Digital Marketing Agency: A team of experts who provide one-to-one training on a range of digital skills, online or in person, and a wide range of YouTube Photoshop tutorials.
Conclusion
Photoshop has evolved from a specialised tool for photographers and designers to an essential business application for companies serious about visual communication. As digital marketing becomes increasingly visual across all platforms, the ability to create, manipulate, and optimise images is no longer optional for competitive businesses.
Whether your organisation develops in-house Photoshop capabilities or partners with specialists like ProfileTree, who offer training and professional services, understanding what Photoshop can achieve helps you make informed decisions about your visual marketing strategy.
By effectively leveraging Photoshop, businesses can create more engaging visual content, maintain stronger brand consistency, and connect more effectively with their audiences through compelling visual storytelling.
Take Your Visual Marketing to the Next Level
Ready to harness the power of professional image editing for your business? ProfileTree offers multiple ways to help:
Digital Training: Custom Photoshop workshops tailored to your industry and specific needs
Content Creation: Professional image editing and graphic design services
Web Design: Visually stunning websites with expertly crafted graphics
Marketing Strategy: Comprehensive visual approaches for your digital presence
Contact our team today for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how we can help transform your visual marketing approach.
FAQs
Is Photoshop difficult to learn for business use?
While Photoshop has many advanced features, most business users need only master a specific subset of tools relevant to their marketing needs. Focused training on these core functions can make the learning curve more manageable.
Should my business use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements?
For professional marketing materials, the full version of Photoshop CC provides capabilities that will ultimately save time and deliver higher quality results. Elements may be sufficient for occasional, basic editing needs.
Can Photoshop help with our social media marketing?
Absolutely. Photoshop enables you to create platform-specific graphics, maintain visual consistency, and develop attention-grabbing content that performs better in crowded social feeds.
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