Open an image that is larger than can fit on your screen.
The window header holds valuable information about the current state
of your photo (we use this example here):
• File name: x02_0005_1091.NEF
• Magnification: (25%)
• Active Layer Name: Dust Layer
• Color Mode: RGB
• Bit Depth: 8 bit
• Soft proofing profile used: Epson2200RelCol
You can use the Navigator palette to change the magnification, but
it is more efficient to learn a few shortcuts:
• Ctrl+0: Fit to Screen, used for general work
• Alt+Ctrl+0: 100% size, show actual pixels, used for close
inspection
(e.g. sharpening)
At 100%, use the space bar to activate the Hand Tool and move the
image inside the window (of course, it only works if the window is smaller
than the image).
Now try to use the ‘F’ key to toggle (3 steps) between the different
screen modes:
• Standard screen mode: Photoshop shows all the controls, menus and
multiple image windows
• Full screen mode with menus: Photoshop only shows the current
photo and uses the full screen (50% gray background). Using the Fit
to Screen (Ctrl+0) view gets you now a much larger view.
• Full screen mode: Not even the menu is displayed and the
background is black.
Some palettes may still be in your way and distract you from viewing
the full image. Press the Tab key and Photoshop hides these palettes.
Pressing Tab again gets them back. Many Photoshop experts use a dual monitor setup to have all tools on
the second monitor and only the image on the main one.