Adobe Photoshop Review 2025

Design Features

Photoshop has a huge selection of tools, I’ve used most of them and got some incredible results. Here are the features available:

• Layer Management
• Adjustment Layers
• Layer Masks
• Selection Tools
• Creative Cloud Libraries
• Adobe Stock Integration
• Alignment Tools
• Artboards
• Shape and Vector Tools
• Color Tools
• Typography Tools
• Smart Objects
• Smart Filters
• Brush Tool

I’ll go into more detail:

Layer Management

Layers are the backbone of how I work in Photoshop. They let me tackle each part of a project independently, which is such a lifesaver for complex designs. I can organize layers into groups, lock them, or even hide them when I need to focus on specific elements. It’s all about flexibility, and Photoshop delivers.

Non-Destructive Adjustments

I love using adjustment layers for edits like brightness, contrast, or hue/saturation. The best part? These adjustments don’t touch the original image, so I can experiment freely without worrying about making permanent changes. Layer Masks are another must-have—they let me control visibility with incredible precision, making intricate compositions easier than ever.

Selection Tools

Photoshop’s selection tools make my job so much easier. Whether it’s the Marquee, Lasso, or Magic Wand, I can always count on precise selections. The Quick Selection and Object Selection tools, with their AI enhancements, are game-changers for handling tricky shapes or objects. When I need to fine-tune, the Refine Edge tool is perfect for handling details like hair or fur, and Quick Mask Mode gives me ultimate control over my selections.

Creative Cloud Libraries and Adobe Stock

One of my favorite features is saving assets like colors, styles, and graphics to Creative Cloud Libraries. It makes switching between projects—or even apps—a breeze. Plus, the integration with Adobe Stock is so convenient. I can search for high-quality images, videos, and templates without even leaving Photoshop.

Alignment and Layout Tools

When it comes to precision, I rely on rulers and guides to align everything just right. I love how customizable they are, and locking them in place ensures consistency across my designs. The Snap to Grid/Guides feature is a huge help for precise placement, and Artboards make managing multiple layouts for different screen sizes or formats so much easier.

Shape and Vector Tools

Photoshop’s shape tools are fantastic for creating everything from simple rectangles to detailed vector designs. I use the pen tool for freeform paths and refine curves with anchor points and handles—it’s ideal for detailed vector artwork. Combining and customizing shapes gives me endless possibilities for complex designs.

Color Tools

Choosing the perfect color is simple with Photoshop’s Color Picker. I also use the Swatches Panel to save custom colors, so everything stays consistent throughout my project. Applying gradients is another favorite of mine, especially with the customization options in the Gradient Editor—smooth transitions have never been easier.

Typography Tools

Adding and customizing text is effortless with Photoshop’s Text Tool. I can tweak fonts, sizes, colors, and even advanced settings like kerning, tracking, and leading. With all the controls in the dedicated panels, it’s easy to get the exact look I’m aiming for.

Smart Objects and Smart Filters

I rely on Smart Objects to embed images or vectors without losing quality, making non-destructive edits like scaling and warping a breeze. And with Smart Filters, I can apply effects and make adjustments without ever altering the original content.

Brush Tool and Blending Modes

The Brush Tool is one of my go-to features for digital painting. I love how customizable it is—I can adjust size, hardness, and opacity to suit my needs. Plus, blending modes let me experiment with how colors interact across layers, opening up endless creative possibilities.

AI Features

Photoshop’s suite of AI-driven tools, powered by Firefly and Sensei, transforms traditional image editing tasks. Here are some of the features I’ve found to be really impressive:

• Firefly and Sensei AI Technologies
• Generative Fill
• Generative Expand
• Neural Filters
• Content-Aware Fill
• AI-Powered Remove Tool
• Sky Replacement
• Object Selection Tool
• Auto-Colorize
• Add Text Guided Edit

AI-Driven Features:

I’m constantly amazed by the AI-driven features in Photoshop, powered by Firefly and Sensei AI technologies. They make so many tasks easier and faster, saving me a ton of time while still delivering incredible results. Tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand open up entirely new possibilities for editing and creativity.

Generative Fill

This is one of my favorite features. I can add, remove, or replace parts of an image seamlessly. It’s also fantastic for extending image edges or filling in gaps—it blends everything so naturally. What I love most is how it works with all the selection tools, letting me customize creations with ease.

Generative Expand

With this tool, I can expand my images beyond their original borders using the Crop tool. It’s like giving my photo a new canvas, and Photoshop automatically generates new content that fits perfectly with the existing image.

Neural Filters

Neural Filters feel like magic to me. I can automate edits like skin smoothing or even colorize old black-and-white photos with just a few clicks. It’s also fun to play around with the facial expression adjustments—I can tweak a smile or change the overall mood of a portrait using machine learning.

Content-Aware Fill

I’ve used this tool countless times to remove unwanted objects, and it never disappoints. Photoshop analyzes the surrounding pixels to fill in the gaps, creating such a natural-looking result that it’s hard to tell anything was edited.

AI-Powered Remove Tool

This tool is fantastic for reducing image noise or making selective edits like adjusting facial hair or clothing. The built-in presets, like Darken Beard or Polished Portrait, give me even more control over the final look.

Sky Replacement

Replacing skies in photos used to be so tedious, but not anymore. Photoshop detects the sky and swaps it out for a new one effortlessly. It even adjusts the scene’s lighting and colors to match, which makes everything look cohesive and professional.

Object Selection Tool

This tool is a lifesaver when I’m dealing with complex shapes or edges. Photoshop’s AI does most of the heavy lifting, making selections fast and accurate—even for tricky objects like hair or fur.

Auto-Colorize

When working with old black-and-white photos, this tool is a game-changer. It uses AI to apply realistic colors that make the images come to life again.

Add Text Guided Edit

Creating stylized text has never been easier. This feature helps me align everything perfectly, making sure my designs look clean and professional every time.

Photo Editing Features

Photo editing is at the core of Photoshop’s functionality. If you hear a picture has been photoshopped, it’s probably because of one of these. 

These are the features that introduced me to photoshop, you’ll notice there’s a huge amount of options.

• Crop Tool
• Slice Tool
• Basic Effects (Brightness/Contrast, Exposure, Vibrance, Saturation)
• Photo Filters
• Spot Healing Brush
• Healing Brush
• Patch Tool
• Content-Aware Fill
• Remove Background
• Clone Stamp
• Red Eye Tool
• Unsharp Mask
• Smart Sharpen
• Reduce Noise
• Color Replacement Tool
• Mixer Brush Tool
• Pattern Stamp Tool
• History Brush Tool
• Smart Objects
• Smart Filters
• Layers
• Adjustment Layers
• Layer Styles
• Layer Masks
• Blend Modes
• Opacity Controls
• Fill Controls
• Gradient Tools
• 3D Material Drop Tool
• Liquify Tool
• Lens Correction
• HDR Toning
• Camera Raw Filter
• Dodge Tool
• Burn Tool
• Sponge Tool
• Timeline Panel (Video Editing)
• Layer-Based Video Editing
• Frame Animation
• Video Effects
• Basic Audio Editing
• Export Options for Video
• Basic Editing Tools

When I need to make quick adjustments, the Crop Tool is my first choice. It’s so versatile—I can crop, straighten, scale, rotate, warp, or even skew an image effortlessly. For web designs, I often rely on the Slice Tool to divide images into sections. Adjusting brightness, contrast, exposure, vibrance, or color balance is a breeze, and I love using Photo Filters to create black-and-white conversions or enhance my images with creative effects.

Retouching and Healing Tools

The Spot Healing Brush is my go-to for quick fixes like removing blemishes, while the Healing Brush gives me a little more control when blending textures. The Patch Tool works wonders for repairing larger areas by sampling other parts of the image. And then there’s Content-Aware Fill—this feature feels like magic. I can easily remove unwanted objects, and Photoshop fills in the gaps seamlessly. If I need to swap out a background, the Remove Background tool makes it so simple.

Advanced Content Manipulation

For precision work, I often turn to the Clone Stamp to duplicate textures or patterns exactly where I need them. The Red Eye Tool is a lifesaver for fixing those annoying red-eye effects in flash photography. These tools help me make my photos look polished and professional.

Enhancement and Adjustment Tools

I use the Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen tools to bring out crisp details in my images, while the Reduce Noise tool is fantastic for cleaning up grainy photos. The Color Replacement Tool is great for swapping colors, and the Mixer Brush Tool lets me create painterly effects with ease. I also love experimenting with the Pattern Stamp Tool and the History Brush Tool to add unique touches to my edits.

Layer and Color Management

Working with layers is where Photoshop really shines for me. Smart Objects and Smart Filters allow me to make edits without damaging the original image, and I use Layers and Adjustment Layers to make changes that I can always go back and tweak later. Adding effects like shadows or glows with Layer Styles, or using Layer Masks to fine-tune visibility, gives me so much creative freedom.

Creative and Composition Tools

Blend Modes are one of my favorite features when combining layers—they let me create all kinds of unique effects. I use Opacity and Fill Controls to adjust transparency and fine-tune the look I’m going for. Gradient Tools and the 3D Material Drop Tool take my designs to the next level, and when I’m feeling creative, the Liquify Tool is perfect for reshaping or distorting elements.

Special Effects and Corrections

For photo corrections, tools like Lens Correction, HDR Toning, and the Camera Raw Filter help me perfect every detail. I love how these features make my images look polished and professional without much effort.

Light Manipulation Tools

When I want to adjust lighting, I use the Dodge Tool to lighten specific areas and the Burn Tool to darken them. The Sponge Tool is also fantastic for adding or reducing color saturation exactly where I need it.

Video Editing Features

Even for video projects, Photoshop has me covered. The Timeline Panel helps me manage clips, add transitions, and fine-tune timing. With Layer-Based Video Editing, I can apply filters and adjustments just like I would with static images. The Frame Animation tool is perfect for creating GIFs, and I can even apply Video Effects to enhance clips. Plus, the Basic Audio Editing tools let me adjust sound levels or add fades for a polished finish. Exporting videos in multiple formats is super straightforward, too.