PHLEARN Learning Paths: Photoshop & Lightroom, In Order
Not sure what to watch next? Learning Paths group PHLEARN tutorials into an order that builds skill by skill, from your first layer mask to advanced compositing, retouching, and color. Pick a path, start at the top, and skip the guesswork.
What You’ll Learn
A Learning Path is a curated sequence, not a category: each tutorial assumes the one before it. The paths below cover the whole site, and every one is free to start.
- Photoshop from zero. 30 Days of Photoshop and the Photoshop Learning Path take you from the interface to advanced compositing.
- Lightroom from zero. The Lightroom Learning Path and 30 Days of Lightroom cover import to export, masking, and color.
- By subject. Retouching, Coloring, Special Effects, Graphics & Text, and Everyday and Magical Compositing.
- By genre. Portraits, Products, and the Photography & Photo Editing path that starts behind the camera.
- New tools. The Artificial Intelligence path and 10 Days of AI in Photoshop and Lightroom.
Where to Start
If you are new to editing, start with 30 Days of Photoshop. If you shoot more than you edit, start with the Photography & Photo Editing Learning Path. Everyone else: pick the subject you most want to be good at and follow that path from the top. The complete list is at Learning Paths.
Free and PRO Tutorials
Every path is free to start, and most contain a mix of free tutorials and PRO courses. A PHLEARN PRO membership unlocks the PRO courses in every path, with their sample files, so you can follow a path all the way through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Learning Path take?
Anywhere from a week to a couple of months at one tutorial a day, depending on the path. Each path page lists its length, and 30 Days of Photoshop is exactly what it says.
Can I follow more than one path at a time?
Yes, but most people get further finishing one. A good pairing is one Photoshop path and one Lightroom path, since they do not overlap.
What if a path has PRO tutorials I cannot access?
You can watch the free tutorials in any path without an account. The PRO courses are included with membership; skipping one and continuing the path works fine for most subjects.
Where to Go Next
Prefer to browse by topic instead? The category hubs are the other way in: Photo Editing, Retouching, Compositing, Color Grading, and Lightroom.
See Every Path
All the Learning Paths on one page, with what each covers and how long it takes.
On This Page
PHLEARN PRO
Every PRO tutorial in this category, with sample and RAW files, plus the full PRO library.
Unlock the magic of AI in your editing world! This learning path empowers you to master Photoshop’s AI features, from flawless portrait retouching to mind-blowing compositing. Plus, learn the basics of Lightroom’s AI tools and explore advanced techniques, all in a fun and informative way.
Embark on a creative journey where imagination meets reality! Master advanced compositing techniques, explore guest artists’ creations, and discover classic composites to fuel your creative potential.
9 Courses Included
Explore the world of Photoshop with this flexible learning path. Delve into your favorite techniques and tools, like retouching with Frequency Separation or mastering Photoshop essentials such as the Pen Tool. Customize your path to focus on what interests you the most!
7 Courses Included
Ready to learn the best practices for Portrait retouching? This Learning path is just what you need! Jump in and take on our 8 most popular and essential courses for Portrait retouching.
8 Courses Included
Level up your product photography and retouching skills! Learn lighting theory, product representation, and client relationship building. Master professional Photoshop workflows for retouching, including reshaping, color manipulation, and creating stunning e-commerce images.
7 Courses Included
Step into our Graphics & Text learning path! With 8 courses and over 23 hours of content, you’ll delve into mastering layer styles, making precise cutouts, and creating captivating mockups and text effects, leaving you with the expertise to create stunning graphic compositions.
8 Courses Included
Ready to start learning Photoshop? Already comfortable with Photoshop, but unsure of where to go next? Well, this is the solution for you! This Learning path is a clear and focused guide to help you progress from Photoshop beginner to Photoshop expert. Jump in and take on our 11 most popular and essential PS courses.
Ready to master the arts of photography and photo editing! This Learning Path will teach you the basics of photography terminology and settings, cameras and gear, and post-production workflow. Pick up your camera and jump in!
6 Courses Included
Retouching can be used to take any image to the next level, from wedding portraits for a friend, to products for a web store, to high-end fashion shots for the cover of a magazine. Master the art and craft of cleaning up photos and helping people and objects look their best.
10 Courses Included
Explore the art of blending images seamlessly, unlock your creative potential with practical compositing techniques, and learn how to create stunning visual compositions for everyday scenarios.
9 Courses Included
Master Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Mobile in this comprehensive set of courses. Import photos, get them organized, and create beautiful edits!
6 Courses Included
From creating stylish text to making objects in a photo glow, follow along through a collection of our most popular Photoshop effects.
9 Courses Included
From creating stylish text to making objects in a photo glow, follow along through a collection of our most popular Photoshop effects.
8 Courses Included