Photoshop

Photoshop
Name	Photoshop
Developer	Thomas Knoll and John Knoll

Photoshop. It is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc. for macOS and Windows. Originally created in 1988 by Thomas Knoll and John Knoll, the software has become the industry standard for digital image manipulation and creation, used extensively by photographers, graphic designers, web developers, and visual artists. Its name has become a genericized trademark, leading to the verb "to photoshop," reflecting its profound influence on visual media.

History

The development began in 1987 when Thomas Knoll, a PhD student at the University of Michigan, wrote a program called Display to show grayscale images on a Macintosh Plus. His brother, John Knoll, an employee at Industrial Light & Magic, encouraged him to develop it into a full-fledged image editing program. The brothers collaborated, with John creating many of the plugin effects, and in 1988, they sold the distribution license to Adobe Systems. The first version, released in 1990, was initially exclusive to the Macintosh platform before a Windows version followed. Key milestones in its evolution include the introduction of Adjustment Layers in 1994, a pivotal integration with other Adobe Creative Suite applications, and the shift to a software as a service subscription model with the launch of Adobe Creative Cloud in 2013.

Features

The software provides a vast array of tools for composing, editing, and retouching images. Core functionalities include layers, which allow non-destructive editing and complex composites, and masks for selectively hiding or revealing parts of an image. It offers sophisticated selection tools like the Quick Selection Tool and Pen tool, along with advanced color correction through Curves and Levels. Artists utilize its extensive brush engine and support for Wacom tablets for digital painting. Other powerful features include Content-Aware Fill for removing objects, extensive Smart Object capabilities, and Camera Raw for processing photographs from digital SLR cameras. It also supports 3D editing and video layer editing for motion graphics workflows.

File formats

Its native format, PSD (Photoshop Document), preserves layers, masks, and other editing features. For final output and web use, it supports standard formats like JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF. It also maintains strong compatibility with AI and EPS files from Adobe Illustrator, and can export to formats like PDF and SVG. The integration with Adobe Creative Cloud libraries facilitates seamless asset sharing across applications like Adobe InDesign and Adobe After Effects. Specialized formats like PSB (Large Document Format) support extremely large images.

Versions

Major version releases have historically introduced transformative features. Early versions, developed under the codename "Fast Eddy," established core tools. Version 3.0 in 1994 introduced the revolutionary Layers feature. Version 5.5 in 1999 added the History palette and better web graphics tools. The landmark CS2 release in 2005 brought Smart Objects and Vanishing Point. The transition to a numbered "CS" (Creative Suite) branding aligned it with other Adobe products. In 2013, with Creative Cloud, version numbering shifted to "CC," with annual updates adding features like Artboards and Select and Mask. The latest iterations leverage Adobe Sensei, the company's artificial intelligence and machine learning framework, to power tools like Neural Filters.

Industry impact

It has fundamentally transformed numerous creative and technical fields. In photography, it redefined post-processing, making techniques like dodging and burning digital and accessible. The entire field of digital art and matte painting was revolutionized, heavily utilized by studios like Industrial Light & Magic and Weta Digital. It became essential in graphic design for creating advertisements, magazine layouts, and branding. Its effects permeate popular culture, seen in everything from movie posters to social media content. The term "Photoshop contest" became a cultural phenomenon, and its capabilities have raised complex questions about authenticity in journalism and advertising.

Criticism and controversies

The software has been central to debates over the ethics of image manipulation. Its use in altering fashion and beauty photographs in magazines like Vogue and campaigns for brands like Dove has been criticized for promoting unrealistic body standards, leading to discussions about legislation in countries like France and Israel. In photojournalism, its misuse has led to scandals at publications like Reuters and National Geographic, violating codes of ethics from organizations like the National Press Photographers Association. The shift to a subscription business model with Adobe Creative Cloud was met with significant user backlash over cost and the lack of a perpetual license option. Furthermore, its complexity presents a steep learning curve, and its dominance is sometimes seen as stifling competition from other software like Affinity Photo and GIMP.

Category:Adobe software Category:Raster graphics editors Category:Digital photography Category:1988 software