Best Photoshop Courses on Udemy (No Jargon, Just Real Talk)

Alright, let’s cut through the noise for a sec.

You typed something like “best Photoshop courses on Udemy” into Google because—let me guess—you wanna actually learn how to use this beast of a tool. Maybe for your side hustle. Maybe to upgrade your design skills. Or maybe you’re just tired of squinting at blurry YouTube tutorials that sound like a robot is whispering in a cave.

Whatever the reason, I feel you.

Photoshop can look like a spaceship cockpit when you first open it. Buttons everywhere. Layers on layers. And don’t even get me started on masking. But here’s the thing: the right course can make it click.

So, I spent hours crawling through Udemy (yes, really) to figure out which courses are actually worth your time and that sweet, sweet $10.99 sale price.

Let’s go.

Who’s Even Searching for Photoshop Courses Anyway?

Before we get to the courses, let’s talk about the people like you who are on this hunt.

The Small Biz Owner: Trying to DIY their graphics because Canva just ain’t cutting it anymore.
The Aspiring Freelancer: Wants to start offering design services but isn’t sure how to make pro-looking edits.
The Photographer: Knows how to take the shot, but post-processing is a whole other monster.
The Social Media Manager: Needs killer visuals to make content pop, fast.
The Total Newbie: Just opened Photoshop and said, “Uhh… what does this tool even do?”
The Etsy Seller: Wants to level up their product photos and make cute promo graphics.
The Content Creator: Thumbnails, banners, memes—oh my!
The Graphic Design Student: Looking for extra help outside of school (because let’s be honest, some professors just read off slides).
The Career Shifter: Thinking of jumping into creative work and needs the skills to back it up.

If you saw yourself in any of those, you’re in the right place.

What Makes a Photoshop Course Actually Good?

Let’s break it down. I’m not about to drop some long list of fluff—here’s what I looked for:

Clear instruction: None of that “ummm… yeah just click this thing over here” nonsense.
Real-world examples: Not just “look at this boring gradient”—I want actual, useful design tasks.
Updated content: Adobe changes things, and no one wants to learn from a 2015 version.
Beginner-friendly structure: Builds up from the basics so you’re not lost on Day 1.
Project-based learning: You should make things, not just watch someone else do it.
Lifetime access: So you can come back when you totally forget how layer masks work (happens to the best of us).
Instructor personality: Because if I’m going to spend 10+ hours with someone, they better not be boring as toast.

Now, let’s meet the rockstars.

1. Adobe Photoshop CC – Essentials Training Course by Daniel Scott

⭐ 4.8 stars | ⏰ 13 hours

This one’s a fan favorite, and for good reason. Daniel Scott (aka the chillest dude in design) has a way of making Photoshop feel approachable. Like, you’re just hanging out with a smart friend who knows his stuff.

He starts you off slow and steady—how to navigate, basic tools, layers, selections—and before you know it, you’re retouching images, creating graphics, and understanding the difference between JPEGs and PSDs without breaking a sweat.

Why people love it:

Daniel’s energy is A++
Perfect for absolute beginners
Includes downloadable exercise files
Real-world projects you can actually use for your portfolio

Best for: Total newbies, visual learners, and folks who like a good Kiwi accent.

2. Photoshop CC 2023 MasterClass by Martin Perhiniak

⭐ 4.7 stars | ⏰ 17.5 hours

Wanna go from rookie to advanced user in one course? This is your jam.

Martin’s course digs deep. Like, “understanding blend modes” deep. He’s a certified Adobe trainer (flex much?) and used to work for Disney and Pixar, so yeah—he knows his stuff.

But don’t worry, it’s not too “techy.” He balances theory with hands-on lessons really well.

Why people love it:

Clean, polished teaching style
Updated for recent versions of Photoshop
Tons of practice files
Solid for career-minded learners

Best for: Intermediate users, future pros, and career switchers.

3. Photoshop for Beginners – Learn The Basics of Photoshop by Chad Neuman

⭐ 4.5 stars | ⏰ 8.5 hours

Shorter than the others but still solid. Chad’s course is more chill, perfect if you’re just looking to get up to speed fast. It covers the basics without getting too caught up in details that’ll make your brain spin.

Why people love it:

Easy-to-follow pace
Gets to the point
Great for brushing up on fundamentals

Best for: Hobbyists, social media creators, or anyone wanting a “crash course” style.

4. Photoshop Retouching Techniques and Editing Essentials by Marouane Bembli (The Futur Academy)

⭐ 4.6 stars | ⏰ 10 hours

If you’re mostly into photo editing and retouching, this course is chef’s kiss.

Skin smoothing, background cleanup, object removal—it’s all in here. Marouane teaches with clarity and has a designer’s eye for detail. You’ll feel like a retouching ninja by the end.

Why people love it:

Focused on photo work
Crisp editing techniques
Great for portrait editors and photographers

Best for: Photographers, beauty/fashion retouchers, and Instagram content wizards.

5. Photoshop Mega Course – From Beginner to Super Designer by Manfred Werner

⭐ 4.7 stars | ⏰ 22 hours

This course is MASSIVE. Like, “clear your weekend plans” kind of massive. But if you’re the kind of person who wants everything in one spot—this is it.

From the basics to crazy effects, digital painting, mockups, social media posts, and more. It’s like a Photoshop buffet.

Why people love it:

Covers SO much ground
Strong visuals and clean explanations
Includes lots of project challenges

Best for: All-rounders, creatives, and people who wanna binge their learning like Netflix.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Sleep on Practice

Here’s a little truth bomb: Watching a course alone won’t make you good at Photoshop.

You gotta do the dang thing. Like, open the app, mess around, make mistakes. Try to recreate an Instagram ad you like. Make a fake movie poster. Touch up your own selfie.

Think of it like the gym—you can’t just watch someone lift weights and expect to get jacked.

And guess what? You’re gonna be terrible at first. That’s fine. That’s normal. That’s how you learn.

Stuff You Might Not Know You Can Do With Photoshop

Still not sure how learning Photoshop actually helps you?
Here’s what you can do once you level up:
Create social media graphics that don’t look like everyone else’s
Design your own business cards, flyers, and posters
Retouch family photos and remove awkward photobombers
Create epic thumbnails for YouTube or video content
Build mockups for branding presentations
Turn your art into digital prints or merch
Design logos (yup, real logos)
Make memes. Seriously. Some of the best creators use Photoshop.

**So Which One Should You Pick?**

Look, it really depends on where you’re starting and what you wanna do with Photoshop.

Never touched the tool before? Go with Daniel Scott.
Already know the basics and want to get job-ready? Martin Perhiniak.
Just wanna edit pics and make stuff look good fast? Marouane Bembli.
You’re a “give me everything” kinda learner? Manfred Werner’s mega course.
In a rush and need basics quick? Chad Neuman’s got you.

Real People. Real Outcomes.

Here’s what students have actually done after these courses:

Launched design side hustles on Fiverr
Landed internships at media companies
Created brand kits for their small businesses
Got hired as junior graphic designers
Made eye-popping social posts that actually drove engagement

This isn’t fantasy stuff. These are everyday people who just… put in the time.

Wanna Know a Secret?

You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be “naturally creative.” And you sure as heck don’t need to master every button in Photoshop to be good.

What you need?

A course that speaks your language
A few hours a week
And a mindset that says “done is better than perfect”

Trust me—those three things can take you way further than another design podcast or Pinterest mood board.

Udemy’s got some legit Photoshop courses. Like, actually good.
Look for instructors who are clear, updated, and project-based.
Daniel Scott = beginner-friendly. Martin = pro-level prep. Marouane = photo editing. Manfred = deep dive. Chad = quick win.
You can learn Photoshop without losing your mind or your wallet.
Practice > perfection. Don’t overthink it—just start.

You ready?

Pick a course. Dive in. And don’t be surprised when your friends start asking you to “just quickly fix” their photos.

Welcome to the club.