Getting your images into Adobe Photoshop is the first step for editing, retouching, or creative manipulation. There are several simple ways to bring a photo or graphic into the program, depending on whether you're starting a new project or adding to an existing one, and where your image is stored.
Common Methods to Get Images into Photoshop
Here are the primary ways to import or open images in Photoshop:
1. Opening an Image
This is the most common method when you want to start editing a specific image file directly.
- How to do it:
- Go to the top menu bar and select File > Open....
- Browse to the location of your image file on your computer.
- Select the image file(s) you want to open and click Open.
- Result: The image opens as a new document (or multiple documents if you selected more than one file).
2. Placing an Image (Into an Existing Document)
If you already have a Photoshop document open and want to add another image layer to it, placing is the way to go.
- How to do it:
- With your target Photoshop document open, go to File > Place Embedded... or File > Place Linked....
- Browse to the image file on your computer.
- Select the image and click Place.
- Result: The image is added as a new layer (typically a Smart Object) within your current document.
- Place Embedded: Copies the image data into your Photoshop file, making it self-contained.
- Place Linked: Creates a link to the original image file. If the original file is updated outside of Photoshop, the placed image in your document will update.
3. Drag and Drop
A quick and intuitive method, especially if you have a file explorer window open.
- How to do it:
- Open a file explorer (like Windows Explorer or macOS Finder) and locate your image file.
- Drag the image file directly from the file explorer window into the Photoshop application window.
- Result:
- If dragged onto the grey background area (no document open), it often opens as a new document (similar to
File > Open). - If dragged into an open document window, it typically places the image as a new layer (similar to
File > Place Embedded).
- If dragged onto the grey background area (no document open), it often opens as a new document (similar to
4. Copy and Paste
Useful for bringing in images copied from web browsers, other applications, or screenshots.
- How to do it:
- In another application or window, copy the image (e.g., right-click and select "Copy Image" in a web browser, or press
Ctrl+C/Cmd+C). - In Photoshop, open the document where you want to paste the image.
- Go to the top menu bar and select Edit > Paste (
Ctrl+V/Cmd+V).
- In another application or window, copy the image (e.g., right-click and select "Copy Image" in a web browser, or press
- Result: The image content from the clipboard is pasted as a new pixel layer in your document.
5. Importing from a Device
As highlighted in the reference, Photoshop allows direct import from connected hardware.
- How to do it:
- Ensure your camera, scanner, or other device is connected to your computer and turned on.
- In Photoshop, using the menu bar, select File › Import › Images from Device.
- Follow the on-screen prompts, which will guide you through selecting your device and choosing the images you want to import.
- Result: You can import photos directly from a camera, scanner, or other connected device into Photoshop, often with options for organizing files during import.
Choosing the Right Method
The best method depends on your needs:
| Method | Use Case | Creates New Document? | Added As Layer? | Common Layer Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Start editing a specific image file | Yes | No (it is the background layer initially) | Pixel Layer (Background) |
| Place (Embedded) | Add an image to an existing document | No | Yes | Smart Object |
| Place (Linked) | Add an image to an existing document (maintain link) | No | Yes | Smart Object |
| Drag and Drop | Quick way to open or place | Can be Yes or No | Can be Yes | Varies (often Smart Object when placing) |
| Copy and Paste | Bring content from clipboard/other apps | Can be Yes (if pasting to new doc) | Yes (if pasting into open doc) | Pixel Layer |
| Import (Device) | Get photos directly from camera/scanner | Yes | No | Pixel Layer |
Understanding these different methods gives you flexibility in bringing your visuals into Photoshop for editing and creative projects.
