A picture is said to be worth a thousand words; in the different fields of microscopy pictures are often our data as well. We interpret, analyze, and share images with our colleagues, and so image preparation, enhancement and presentation are crucial for this process. As image acquisition in microscopy moves away from capture on photographic film in favor of digital imaging methods, digital manipulation of visual data for presentation requires learning to use computer software tools. Adobe Photoshop, currently the standard in the community of both artists and scientists, is a powerful program, but it is NOT specifically designed for scientific data, and so contains dozens of features and tools that may and/or must be avoided in the preparation of micrographs for scientific publication. The learning curve for this type of software can be steep, but the steps outlined below may help to get you started.