Photoshop is clearly our favorite photo editing software. In this article, we have listed 100+ best Photoshop effects tutorials that will show you how to perform a wide range of tasks including age progression, Instagram-like effects, lomo effects, and light leaks, as well as vintage and retro effects that you can use to help improve your photo editing workflow.
Start at the beginning and learn how the basics of Photoshop with our free course over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel on Photoshop for Beginners.
If you’re looking for a quick way to make pro photo effects, then browse through our premium Photoshop effects and Photoshop actions, which can be purchased on Envato Elements. There are thousands of creative options to choose from. Scroll down to the bottom to see some of our favourites—otherwise, let’s jump into our list of the best Photoshop effect tutorials.
Looking for a chilled-out walk-through? Try out our Watch Me Work series, based on our Photo Manipulation for Beginners course.
80+ Best Photoshop Effect Tutorials
Now, let’s take a look at these free Photoshop effect tutorials!
Learn how to do just about anything to your photos, from double exposure effects to cut-outs and so much more. Dive into these Photoshop creative effects tutorials created just for you by Envato Tuts+.
20 Best Photoshop Effects Video Tutorials
If you’re a visual person and prefer to watch Photoshop effects in action, I’ve got you covered with these free Photoshop creative effects tutorials.
The videos you’re about to watch come from our playlist Learn Photo Effects. And don’t forget to visit our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel, where you’ll find more easy Photoshop effect tutorials.
1. How to Create a Cool Glitch Photo Effect in Adobe Photoshop
Looking for out-of-the-box, creative photo editing ideas? Then this glitch effect Photoshop tutorial is for you. A glitch is a software error or bug that’s often caused by a corrupted signal.
The kind of glitch created in this easy Photoshop effect tutorial is common to television or video games.
2. How to Make a Glowing Photo Effect to a Portrait in Photoshop
From our selection of the best Photoshop effect tutorials, we’ve got this one for you. This glow effect for Photoshop is inspired by African tribal makeup. You’ll end up with a radiant effect thanks to this walkthrough.
3. How to Apply a 3D Anaglyph Effect in Photoshop
3D anaglyphs are really cool types of photo editing effects. To achieve the 3D photo effect, you’ll learn how to create an image that contains two different colored images, one for each eye, using filters of typically red and cyan.
To experience that pop-out stereoscopic effect, you’ll need 3D red cyan glasses. Nevertheless, it’s worth checking this crazy, free Photoshop effect tutorial!
4. How to Create a Rainbow Lens Flare Overlay Effect in Photoshop
Rainbow effects are creative photo editing ideas. In this easy Photoshop effects tutorial, you can learn how to create a rainbow lens flare glow effect in Photoshop in a few steps.
5. How to Create a Color Double Exposure Effect in Adobe Photoshop Using an Action
There are plenty of photo editing ideas to try, like a color double exposure photo effect. This is one of the best Photoshop creative effect tutorials because it’ll teach you how to combine two color images into one.
6. Make a Photoshop Action to Create a Portrait Photo Effect
Adobe portrait effects are always among the most useful types of Photoshop ideas to learn in tutorials.
In this free Photoshop creative effects tutorial, you’ll learn to turn a photo into a ballpoint pen drawing. Then, once you have the action, you can easily apply the Photoshop edits to other photos.
7. How to Apply a Photo Filter or Effect in Photoshop
If you need photo filters, then this is the best Photoshop effect tutorial for you. This video is full of amazing Photoshop picture editing ideas and Adobe portrait effects.
8. How to Create a Photoshop Painting Effect
Painting effects in Photoshop can make for cool photo editing ideas. Why don’t you check out this free Photoshop photo ideas tutorial to learn how to turn your pictures into paintings!
9. How to Create a Sketch Effect Action in Adobe Photoshop
This is one of our popular Photoshop effect tutorials. You’ll learn how to turn your photos into advanced sketches in a few steps. Everyone can create Photoshop effects with these techniques, even those who’ve just opened Photoshop for the first time!
10. How to Create a Dreamy Glow Effect Photoshop Action
This free Photoshop photo effect tutorial explains how to create a dreamy glow effect in Photoshop, with soft blur and bokeh in the background. It can be used as a pretty Adobe portrait effect as well.
11. How to Create a Rubber Stamp Effect in Adobe Photoshop
Want more creative photo editing ideas? Have you ever seen a rubber stamp photo effect for Photoshop? We’re sure this free Photoshop effect tutorial will blow your mind.
12. How to Create a Sparkle Overlay Effect in Photoshop
Sparkles help your cool photo editing ideas shine! Do you know how to create particle effects? You can use this Photoshop technique for many magical photo effects. In this easy Photoshop effects tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a sparkle overlay effect for your pictures.
13. How to Create a Photoshop Sepia Effect Action
We’ve got more useful types of Photoshop techniques for you, like this sepia tone effect. You’ll learn how to recreate the traditional look of old photos in this free Photoshop photo effect tutorial.
14. How to Create a Photo to Pencil Drawing Effect in Photoshop
Want more Photoshop ideas tutorials with unique effects? Check this cool photo editing idea. In this easy Photoshop effect tutorial, you’ll learn to turn a photo into a pencil drawing by following some simple steps! It’s a simple way to create awesome Photoshop edits.
15. How to Make a Distressed Effect Photoshop Action
Here’s an excellent video from our selection of Photoshop effect tutorials. In this tutorial on photo effects, you’ll learn how to create a distressed effect with Photoshop techniques like using smart filters, adjustment layers, and overlay textures.
16. How to Turn a Photo Into Comic Book Art in Adobe Photoshop
Fan of comic books? Then this crazy Photoshop effect tutorial is for you. Learn how to turn a picture into comic book art by following one of the best Photoshop cartoon effects tutorials we’ve got.
17. How to Create a Light Leak Photoshop Color Effect
This Photoshop tutorial will teach you how to create Photoshop color effects for pictures using a light leak overlay and how to add an atmospheric fade effect with gradient fills and gradient maps. The look is authentic and reusable, so you can make more awesome Photoshop edits.
18. How to Create a Photo to Art Text Effect Photoshop Action
We’ve got more creative photo editing ideas to share, like this Photoshop tutorial about a photo effect to turn photos into art text effects. Just follow this free Photoshop effect tutorial.
19. How to Create a Vintage Fade Effect Photoshop Action
This free Photoshop photo effect tutorial will teach you how to create a vintage faded look using Photoshop effects like smart filters, adjustment layers, and overlay textures. If you want to dive deeper into the program, why not learn how to use these photo editing effects?
20. How to Create a Smoke Effect Photoshop Action
To close our selection of brilliant photo editing ideas, we’ve got this great photo effect for you. It’ll teach you how to create a smoke Photoshop effect from scratch. It may seem like a pretty crazy Photoshop tutorial, but you’ll see how much fun it is to create a realistic version of this effect.
10 Premium Photo Effects From Envato Elements
The Photoshop effects tutorials above cover a wide range of effects you can achieve through practice and persistence. Additionally, you can always check our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel, where you’ll find more Photoshop effects and photo editing ideas like this video:
But if you’re short on time, you can always turn to the amazing selection of photo effects for Photoshop on Envato Elements for the best creative downloads. Here we have a collection of ten premium Photoshop effects guaranteed to transform your photos in a few short clicks. Enjoy!
1. 80’s Style Text Mockups V2 (PSD)
Bring retro shine to your projects with these awesome Photoshop edits. This bundle includes ten unique styles that transform your words. Each one has a cool glow effect in Photoshop and works via Smart Objects. It’s one of the coolest Photoshop text effects to download.
2. Soap Bubbles Photoshop Effect Action (ATN, PSD, JPG)
Try Soap Bubbles if you want to have fun with Photoshop text effects. The action works in a single click and the realistic results have just the right amount of silliness. Use it for any text and font style, and try the included backgrounds for interesting Photoshop edits.
3. Watercolor Action Effect for Photoshop (ATN, ABR, PAT)
Have a look at this watercolor painting effect for Photoshop! It lets you turn any portrait into a stunning aquarelle. You’ll get to choose from 30 color looks when the action is played. There’s no need to be a master of all the watercolor effect Photoshop techniques to create the look you want with this action.
4. Rorschach Effect Photoshop Brushes (ABR)
What do you see in the photo above? With 75 different Rorschach effects for Photoshop, that answer will vary depending on the one you choose. This bundle is filled with high-resolution brush textures that are versatile. Use these Rorschach effects in Photoshop to create decorative elements or backgrounds for flyers and more.
5. Anaglyph / Glitch Photo FX (PSD)
Anaglyph is a PSD file that’s for anyone interested in making a glitch effect in Photoshop. What sets it apart is how well it can be applied to multiple types of photos. Portraits and landscapes all benefit from Anaglyph. Give it a look if you have photo editing ideas that can benefit from glitch effects in Photoshop.
6. Photoshop Cartoon Style Text Effects (PSD, ASL)
Feel free to get a little goofy with these Photoshop cartoon effects. There are ten distinct styles wrapped up in a neat download. With Smart Object replacement, swapping text only takes a couple of clicks. Try this pack if you’re ready to turn type into fun Photoshop text effects.
7. Glitch Effect Photoshop Action (ATN)
Are you after a grittier version of the glitch effect for your Photoshop projects? Then your search is over. This action distorts images and creates dark, brooding scenes. It’s the perfect selection for helping you put together your photo editing ideas.
8. Painting Effect Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)
Hard to believe that’s not an original work of art, isn’t it? That’s the quality of result you’ll get after using this painting effect in Photoshop. Using the action doesn’t require much work, but a video tutorial is included in case you need a hand. With this download, get ready to make some awesome Photoshop edits that can fit into any art gallery.
9. Neon Psychedelic Text Effect (PSD)
For works that need a vibrant touch, don’t miss out on this. It’s a unique glow effect for Photoshop that can be applied to type and logos, and it works in seconds. You can find full instructions and font links in the handy documentation PDF of these Photoshop text effects.
10. Vintage Comics Text Effects (PSD)
Go for the outlandish and bombastic with this Photoshop cartoon effect. It rips its style straight from the pages of classic comic books, and does a great job paying homage to the art form. There are ten effects included, meaning you can make awesome Photoshop edits from a single bundle.
Try These Awesome Photoshop Ideas and Tutorials Today!
Want to see more photo effects? Browse the incredible collection of Photoshop actions and cool Photoshop effects designed to transform your photos through GraphicRiver and Envato Elements.