CreativePhotoGraphics

Before demonstrating some of the uses you can put layers to, a word of warning. Layers eat memory. In my book there is no merit in keeping all the layers you use to produce an image, Even with my main workstation which has 2gig of RAM I will flatted or merge the layers to save RAM, this is obviously dependent upon the images requirements. I see no benefit in having lots of layers, once the image is as I want it, I flatten it. I've heard some using and saving images with over a 100 layers, all they are doing is slowing everything down and giving them-selves a logistics headache. If you must save all your layers at least put them into groups which will ease the logistic problem.

Layers are best controlled from the layers palette shown below (F7 to access) This illustration shows the Layers palette when using PS CS2.

The symbols across the bottom of the palette are used to control the layers. For simple photo editing the right hand four are the most used so, to start with, we will only use these. The others will be used when we look at montages. The eye to the left of the layer denotes that layer is visible and the closed padlock shows that layer is locked, more of this in a while.

From right to left these symbols are:

Trash can: to delete a layer, highlight it and drag into the can.

New layer: click on this to make a new layer or drag a layer on to the icon to make a duplicate layer.

New group: used to group selected layers together for ease of navigation.

Adjustment layers: right click to access a drop down programme of adjustments.

The quickest way to get to know how to use layers is to use them.

This is the image we are going to adjust showing in the layers palette as the background, which is the default label when an image is opened in PS. As explained above this has been exposed for the highlights, we now need to extract the detail that is present in the shadow areas.

My first step is to open an adjustment layer. Adjustment layers only allow you to use the tool that is dedicated to that layer. Right click the adjustment layer icon, the second from the right, and a drop down menu will appear. From this select the adjustment you wish to apply to the image; in this case levels; and single left click to activate.

I've used levels for this demonstration, as this seems to be the most popular tool, for preference I would always use the more accurate curves tool. The basics of curves will be covered later.

Showing the levels adjustment layer.

I adjust each colour channel separately, to access these you click on the arrow to the right of the box, which by default will show RGB, a drop down menu will appear showing each channel. The blue channel is shown above. As you can see the LH marker has been moved to the right to line up with the end of the blue channel histogram. You may have your own methods for achieving colour balance; to use these simply select the correct item in the above mentioned drop down menu. You could, for instance, use curves instead of levels to achieve the same result. Having achieved the colour balance you want click OK.

With some images you will find that each channel will require adjustment by moving the outer markers to the edge of the histogram.

The center marker controls the tonality of the mid tones and should be used with care. For accuracy I'd recommend the use of curves for mid range adjustments.

Showing the levels adjustment layer being applied to one channel

The display below is the one with the ‘more options'. You can control the shadows and high lights by adjusting the sliders.

Showing the background copy layer and the shadow/highlight tool.

We have now used layers to perform two simple tasks to improve the image. When you save the image you have the option of either keeping the layers as a PSD or, preferably, a tiff file. Alternatively if you are sure you will not want to adjust any thing in the future, you can flatten the image and then save it.

The next sheet gives you instructions on the way to turn summer into winter using layers and a few other tools. This is followed by a method of producing pseudo pencil drawings using layers.

Layers

Layers are one of the most powerful tools in PS.

Imagine a series of transparent sheets placed on top of the original image with each sheet containing an adjustment or an extra image element.