No matter what program you use as a part of your post-processing workflow, discovering ways to save time are always useful. After being in business for more than five years, I have my workflow down pretty well. I’m always looking for ways to save time or improve my workflow if needed. Over the years, I have relied on keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Photoshop to take the extra clicks out of my workflow and save me time.
When I was first learning Photoshop, I made an effort each day to learn a new keyboard shortcut. I kept a Post-it note pad right by my computer screen and wrote one down each day and stuck it to the bottom of my screen. Years later, I can easily save several minutes on each image from the clicks I am saving by using the keyboard shortcut. Here is a list of my very favorite Photoshop shortcuts to help me work smarter, not harder.
CMD + S (CTRL + S – PC) = I use this a lot. It is a quick and easy way to instantly save your work.
Spacebar = Hold this down to instantly change the cursor to a hand to drag around your image without having to change the tool you are working with.
CMD + ‘+’ (PC: CTRL + ‘+’) = Zoom in 100%. Use Cmd + ‘-‘ (PC: CTRL + ‘-‘) to zoom back out.
CMD + OPT + Z (PC: CTRL +Alt +Z) = This will undo your last step as many times as you would like and is so quick. It is better than CMD + Z which will only let you go back once.
V = Quickly switch back to the move tool.
C = Crop tool.
D = Sets foreground and background color to the default black and white.
X = Swaps the foreground and background colors. Especially useful when using layer masks.
CMD + J (PC: CTRL + J) = Creates a new layer by copying the current layer.
B = Brush tool. Another great thing to know when using layer masks.
Left and Right Bracket Keys = This will increase and decrease your brush size. It works not only with the brush tool but with the eraser, healing brush, etc…
Shift + Left and Right Bracket Keys = Add shift and you can increase and decrease the hardness of your brush.
Cmd + D (PC: CTRL + D)Â = This will deselect your selection.
Numbers 0 through 9 (when a non-brush tool like the move tool is selected) = It will change the layer opacity to the corresponding number (4 = 40%). 0 will make it 100%. You can use the numbers to set the opacity more specifically by typing two numbers really fast (28=28%).
Numbers 0 through 9 (when a Brush type tool is active)Â = This works the same way as the one above and will change the opacity of the brush. If you want to change the flow opacity, add the shift key.
CMD + T (PC: CTRL + T)Â = This will create a free transform box around your layer. Hold the shift key down while dragging the corners to resize to keep everything in proportion.
J = This will bring up the spot healing brush. Quick and easy for correcting blemishes!
G = This will bring up the gradient tool. I love to use this when adding more color to my sky.
CMD + I (PC: CTRL + I)Â = This will invert the layer. I use this all of the time to invert layer masks.
CMD + E (PC: CTRL + E)Â = This will merge the layers down. I use this frequently while editing to flatten my layers.
If you are looking for an even easier way to remember your shortcuts, Photojojo has a keyboard skin with the shortcuts on there. They are available for MacBooks and the Apple keyboards. $30
What are your favorite keyboard shortcuts? I would love to hear them! For a full list of Photoshop keyboard shortcuts, you can find them all on Adobe’s site.
