Practice Makes Perfect: How Is Learning Photoshop Similar to Playing Guitar?
30 Years of Practice
When I think about the phrase “practice makes perfect,” my mind goes to two places: playing the electric guitar and using Photoshop. Both pursuits have been a significant part of my life for over thirty years, and as I’ve mastered my skills with each, I’ve realised just how similar the paths to mastery are.
I want to explore the parallels between learning an instrument and mastering a complex software tool. Just like practicing guitar scales and chords, learning to use Photoshop effectively involves slow, deliberate practice. It’s about getting the fundamentals right before you can truly unleash your creativity.
Whether it’s perfecting the fingering of a guitar chord or learning the intricacies of non-destructive editing in Photoshop, the journey to proficiency is remarkably similar.
The Importance of Correct Practice
One thing I learned early on while playing guitar is that “what you practice is what you play”.
For the most part, I taught myself to play guitar by listening to albums and watching other guitarists play. I also asked other more experienced musicians a lot of questions! One thing that the best player always emphasized to me was the importance of slowing down when practicing.
They told me to focus on getting my fingers exactly right, ensuring my technique was flawless, before speeding up. Practicing slowly and intentionally was the key to better playing.
What’s This All Got to Do With Software?
This principle applies just as much to skills on the guitar as it does to skills in software like Photoshop.
Over the years, I’ve picked up various Photoshop techniques and skills, often through tutorials, videos and forums. For example, learning how to mask specific elements of an image or adjust specific colour channels requires precision to get the best results, and it’s always helpful to follow along with step-by-step instructions.
While there are usually multiple ways to achieve a desired outcome in Photoshop, there are definitely correct and incorrect approaches. By practicing these correct techniques deliberately, you set yourself up for success and mastery- and more importantly, you help ensure you’ll be able to repeat the technique when you need it again in the future!
Using the correct techniques and workflows in Photoshop is also important when collaborating with others or sharing your work. For instance, proper file management and layer management principles make it easier for others to understand your project and make adjustments if needed.
Whether you’re working on a team project or passing files to a client, following these best practices ensures smoother collaboration and more professional results.
Learn to Forget
In music- especially the type of improvisational music that I really love to play- once you have mastered the fundamentals and techniques, like scales and chords, you can let your intuition and creativity take over during a performance.
I think this concept applies equally to using software like Photoshop. After spending time learning tutorials and tools, the real magic happens when you can follow your intuition, sort of letting your ‘muscle memory’ guide you.
As they say in music, “you need to learn the rules before you can break them.”
By mastering the basics, you free yourself to be more creative and spontaneous. Whether it’s improvising a solo on the guitar or experimenting with new design ideas in Photoshop, the foundation of solid, deliberate practice allows for greater creative expression.
Now, Your Turn
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of mastering Photoshop, here are some great resources where you can learn the fundamentals:
- Adobe’s Official Tutorials
- Skillshare
- Lynda.com (LinkedIn Learning)
- Photoshop User Magazine
- Phlearn
- Tuts+
- Reddit’s Photoshop Community
- CreativeLive
- Udemy
- Pexels
It’s up to you to spend time patiently learning and practicing these skills, but there are plenty of places online to get the step-by-step instruction to help you achieve true ‘mastery’.
Remember, whether it’s music or digital art, the journey to mastery is a blend of patience, practice, and passion.
By approaching Photoshop with the same deliberate practice and attention to detail as learning an instrument, you can unlock your full creative potential.
So, what do you think?
Can mastering software like Photoshop really be compared to learning a musical instrument?
How can practicing the right techniques in Photoshop enhance your creative output?
How do you balance creativity and technical proficiency in your own creative pursuits?
Leave your thoughts in the comments!
