Photoshop Layers - how to with more than one layer

[Brownbear]

I'm working on a post processing exercise on a waterfall image and using Photoshop CC to apply selective adjustments to the image. I thought I understood how to do this because I have used layers before to sharpen images, apply selective curves adjustments and also to combine exposures.

1.

I just noticed that when I add another layer - say an exposure adjustment to lighten up the rocks surrounding the waterfall that the exposure adjustment seems to be being applied to just the waterfall. Similarly if I apply a colour adjustment to bring out the green in the foliage the green seems to be being applied to just the waterfall and not the trees in the background in the image. As seen by clicking the "eye" icon to view the difference in the image - ie; no difference in the rocks or foliage.

It is almost like the first adjustment layer is applied to the entire image and the subsequent adjustments are only applied to a portion of the image and it is apparent that I don't know how to to apply adjustments when more than one layer is involved.

2.

Burning and Dodging... If I create a duplicate layer is it correct to burn and dodge on that layer to protect the image from the detrimental effects of burning and dodging? And no need for a layer mask to burn and dodge this way?

Thank you.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Christina. Although I'm not very experienced in PS CC, I will try to answer your questions as far as my knowledge lets me . So, please check with what the others will say.

1- You might have selected waterfall with quick selection tool or with another selection tool. In this case whatever layer you create it applies only to the waterfall.

2- I can't remember how I did it with one of my past images but I tried it right now with an image and yes , if you duplicate the layer without a mask you can use the dodge tool and the background layer still stays unharmed.

[pnodrog]

1.

It seems to be behaving as if you have your mask inverted. Try going to your main image layer and select all the waterfall (especially the white water) and then invert the selection.
With the selection active create a curves adjustment layer. The mask for this adjustment layer should show the waterfall area in black. The curve adjustments should now only apply to anything but the waterfall. You can click on the mask to select it and then paint with black to exclude or white to include areas for the adjustment to work.

2.

If you create a duplicate layer and dodge and burn on it the original layer will not be altered. If you turn the duplicate layer off you will see the original layer unaltered. You can adjust the transparency of the duplicate layer to fade the effect of your changes.


Warning: Until you get practised in using layers it is very easy to make the mistake of being on the wrong layer when doing any sort of editing. For instance if you have made a duplicate layer and start dodging or burning with the underlying original layer selected you will not see anything happening even though you may be making big changes.

You are probably aware of most of what I have written but it may be useful to some other viewer...

[Brownbear]

Binnur,

Thank you for confirming the burn/dodge question. I didn't select the waterfall as I was using only adjustment layers. I suspect that it has something to do with having a mix of adjustment layers and duplicate layers.

L. Paul

Thank you. I will try that. Also thank you for confirming the use of a duplicate layer for burning and dodging.

Yes, the exercise has a lot of layers and it is easy to get lost.

Photoshop CC is new to me and I'm at the beginner level in this. Lightroom is the program that I am most comfortable with.

Thank you Binnur and L Paul!

[Brownbear]

Hi L. Paul,

Just FYI selecting the waterfall and inverting the selection worked just fine.

As well, a little bird advised me that adjustment layers affect all the layers below it unless you click on the Clipping Mask Icon(3rd one from the left in the adjustments panel) which links the adjustment layer to only the one layer below it.

The Adjustment layer affects the entire layer below it unless - that layer has a Mask as well. If that layer has a mask, AND the clipping icon is on, then it only affects items in White on the Layer Mask as Black shows the layer below which are not linked.

Thank you.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Christina,

Couple of things ...

1. Often masking selections seem to work in reverse, which isn't the way I like it. Try double-clicking the quick mask icon on the toolbar and changing the selection for what colour indicates.

2. Layers normally apply to all layers below them, but you can bind it to only the next layer;

- Click on the first layer

- Hold the shift key down and click on the 2nd (both should highlight)

- Hold the ALT key down and click on the line between the two layers when the symbol appears.

[Brownbear]

Hi Colin,

Thank you. These extra tips are appreciated. No doubt I will be referring to them the next time I try something with layers and these will help me find my way around the maze of layers.

Hi Christina,

Couple of things ...

1. Often masking selections seem to work in reverse, which isn't the way I like it. Try double-clicking the quick mask icon on the toolbar and changing the selection for what colour indicates.

2. Layers normally apply to all layers below them, but you can bind it to only the next layer;

- Click on the first layer

- Hold the shift key down and click on the 2nd (both should highlight)

- Hold the ALT key down and click on the line between the two layers when the symbol appears.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Colin,

Thank you. These extra tips are appreciated. No doubt I will be referring to them the next time I try something with layers and these will help me find my way around the maze of layers.

If all else fails ...

http://www.amazon.com/Layers-Complet...yers+photoshop

[Brownbear]

Thank you Colin... I probably should purchase a book about Photoshop and I will check this one out.

If all else fails ...

http://www.amazon.com/Layers-Complet...yers+photoshop

[FrankMi]

If all else fails ...

http://www.amazon.com/Layers-Complet...yers+photoshop

I use this book as well. It is an EXCELLENT resource for learning to power of Selections, Masks, and Layers. Once you move past global adjustments and need to adjust specific parts of an image, this book is a powerhouse of easy to digest knowledge.

[Colin Southern]

Thank you Colin... I probably should purchase a book about Photoshop and I will check this one out.

You're welcome.

I often find it somewhat ironic that people will invest thousands in equipment and software, but often not more than 1 or 2 percent of that in education to learn how to use it

[bnnrcn]

Christina, I use ' Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book by Adobe' . I actually have learnt everything with the help of the book and the CIC. It is not only about 'layers' but also the other functions of PS CC. I will certainly buy the book Colin and Frank suggest though, because it has more detailed information about layers. I'm posting this in case you might as well want to order both of the books. Manfred suggested my book when I started a thread about how to learn photoshop , as far as I know he has got the same book

[Brownbear]

Frank.. Thank you for seconding Colin's recommendation.

Colin... I will purchase this book. I hope to find it as a real book rather than an E-book because I prefer real books that I can take anywhere. So far Photoshop hasn't been to hard to figure out likely but I can see that it is quite complex and a book will certainly come in handy.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Binnur,

I will look for this book, too. Nice to receive recommendations. Truly appreciated.

Christina, I use ' Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book by Adobe' . I actually have learnt everything with the help of the book and the CIC. It is not only about 'layers' but also the other functions of PS CC. I will certainly buy the book Colin and Frank suggest though, because it has more detailed information about layers. I'm posting this in case you might as well want to order both of the books. Manfred suggested my book when I started a thread about how to learn photoshop , as far as I know he has got the same book

[FrankMi]

Frank.. Thank you for seconding Colin's recommendation.

Colin... I will purchase this book. I hope to find it as a real book rather than an E-book because I prefer real books that I can take anywhere. So far Photoshop hasn't been to hard to figure out likely but I can see that it is quite complex and a book will certainly come in handy.

The Layers book is available in both Kindle and Paperback. I have the paperback edition 2.

[chauncey]

Hey Cristina

I have that book and rarely use it...would rather watch videos on the subject at hand.

Aside from that...multiple layers get confusing, so...always label them to show what you are doing to them, adjustment layers in PS CC have a little "down arrow" in the LL portion of the box (it causes the layer to only affect the layer directly underneath it), I prefer to Dodge&Burn using curves and brushing to delete unwanted areas of adjustment, don't forget that you can decrease opacity to lessen the effects on a specific layer.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Chauncey,


I'm a book worm.

I have discovered the opacity slider to lessen the effect, and learned to name my layers. Thank you for sharing the extra tips. That "down arrow" tip is great. Truly appreciated.

Hey Cristina

I have that book and rarely use it...would rather watch videos on the subject at hand.

Aside from that...multiple layers get confusing, so...always label them to show what you are doing to them, adjustment layers in PS CC have a little "down arrow" in the LL portion of the box (it causes the layer to only affect the layer directly underneath it), I prefer to Dodge&Burn using curves and brushing to delete unwanted areas of adjustment, don't forget that you can decrease opacity to lessen the effects on a specific layer.

[Brownbear]

Just to say thank you to all for the book recommendations. I've received my books and I'm delighted with both for the presentation of the material in a simple manner, and the inclusion of short, easy lessons on each topic.

Of course I haven't read them yet but I know that they will both serve as great references as I learn. I especially like the layers book, and the Photoshop handbook will come in handy as I learn to use more than ACR and curves.

Just sharing in case anyone else is considering purchasing these books. Available in paperback. Thank you to all.