Cool, creative, and helpful photoshop tips from Dirk Metzmacher

Dirk is a professional Photoshop trainer and book author with over 10 years of experience. He is also the creative mind behind Photoshop-Weblog (www.photoshop-weblog.de), a blog about techniques, tutorials and resources related to Adobe Photoshop.


The article on smashingmagazine.com gives a short overview creative and different techniques.  These techniques include:

• Naturally Increased Light
• Simulate Infrared Images
• Levels
• Color Look With An Adjustment Layer
• Controlling Mid-Tone Contrasts
• Sunset
• Creating Smiles
• Colorful Water Drops
• Skin Color
• Matching Skin Tones
• Reducing Noise
• Retro Look With Curves
• Identifying Layers
• Conserving Resources
• Classy Sepia Look
• Precise Positioning
• Applying Layer Styles Multiple Times

I'll list a few of my favorite and personally most useful tutorials.

Naturally Increased Light: By using the "color doge" tool you can acheive some realistic results.  

Color Look With An Adjustment Layer: This pic has a real professional look.  By using simple steps you can create this look. 

Sunset: I think this one is my favorite.  I am definitely going to use this in the near future.  I was actually looking for this look not to long ago and now thanks to Dirk I can achieve it.  

Retro Look With Curves: In this tutorial he uses a blending mode i havn't heard of.  It's called "Exclusion" When I get the chance i would look into "exclusion".  heres the retro look: 


source: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/03/09/useful-photoshop-tips-and-tricks-for-photo-retouching/