What is Photoshop? Introduction, Meaning, Definition & History

By : Henry Cooper Henry Cooper
Hours Updated

⚡ Smart Summary

Photoshop is a photo editing and raster graphic design application from Adobe Inc. for Windows and macOS. This resource introduces its meaning and definition, outlines the core features designers use, and traces the Adobe Photoshop version history from CS to the Creative Cloud releases.

  • 🎨 Definition: Photoshop edits raster images with multiple layers across many file formats.
  • 🧰 Core Features: Workspace, layers, smart objects, blend modes, selections, and filters.
  • 🏢 Developer: Adobe Systems builds Photoshop for both Windows and macOS.
  • 🕰️ Origin: Created in 1988 by Thomas Knoll and John Knoll.
  • 📈 Evolution: Versions progressed from CS through the Creative Cloud (CC) releases.
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What is Photoshop

What is Photoshop?

Photoshop is a photo editing and raster graphic design software which allows users to create, edit, and manipulate various graphics as well as digital art. It also allows you to create and edit raster images with multiple layers and import the images in various file formats. Photoshop is developed by Adobe Systems for both Windows and macOS.

This is a Photoshop basics tutorial for designers in the latest version of Adobe Photoshop CC with Guru99.

We are going to cover an introduction to Photoshop and a lot of features which are commonly used by designers to create composites, build any design, make illustrations, or even do some simple retouching on the latest Photoshop version.

So we are going to cover some of the most common features like workspace, layers, smart objects, blend modes, selection techniques, filters, and much more Photoshop basics and necessary features that every designer uses to work on Photoshop.

Learn more: What is Adobe Photoshop CC? Meaning & Definition

Click here if the video is not accessible.

Adobe Photoshop Version History

Photoshop was created in 1988 by Thomas Knoll and John Knoll, and the official distribution license of the program was purchased by Adobe Systems. Since then, many Photoshop versions have been released. The following are the most popular Adobe Photoshop versions:

Release Year Version Name Version Number
2003 Photoshop CS Version 8
2005 Photoshop CS2 Version 9
2007 Photoshop CS3 Version 10
2008 Photoshop CS4 Version 11
2010 Photoshop CS5 Version 12
2012 Photoshop CS6 Version 13
2013 Photoshop CC Version 14
2014 Photoshop CC 2014 Version 15
2015 Photoshop CC 2015 Version 16 and Version 17
2016 Photoshop CC 2017 Version 18
2017 Photoshop CC 2018 Version 19
2018 Photoshop CC 2019 Version 20
2019 Photoshop 2020 Version 21
2021 Photoshop 2021 Version 22
2021 Photoshop 2022 Version 23
2022 Photoshop 2023 Version 24
2023 Photoshop 2024 Version 25
2024 Photoshop 2025 Version 26
2025 Photoshop 2026 Version 27

Now we will start with the first topic, about the workspace. We will see how we can set up our Photoshop for our best, most useful workflow, because there are so many industries which use Photoshop in many different ways for their specific purposes.

So let us get started and talk about the workspace in Photoshop CC.

FAQs

Yes. Modern Photoshop includes AI tools such as Generative Fill, Neural Filters, and Select Subject, powered by Adobe Sensei and Firefly, which automate complex edits like object removal and background generation.

Yes. The Generative Fill and Generative Expand features use text prompts to create or extend image content on a new layer, letting users add or replace elements quickly.

No. Photoshop is a paid subscription through Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe offers a free trial, and a lighter web and mobile version called Photoshop Express provides limited editing at no cost.

Photoshop is a raster, pixel-based editor best for photos and digital painting. Illustrator is vector-based, using mathematical paths ideal for logos and scalable graphics that stay sharp at any size.

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