Photoshop Secrets – Part 3
Layers
Layers are used in Photoshop images. The background layer is usually the only layer that each image has. You can use layers during the image editing process. They can also be used for special effects.
If you make a copy of a layer and then decide to change it, you will have the first layer as a backup. You would make changes or adjustments to the copy of the layer. Another thing that you can do with layers is put images together by using different content.
With the exception of adjustment layers, for the most part, layers are required to have quite a bit of memory. The larger files from Photoshop usually contain a lot of layers. To use the layers, go to the Layers palette from the Window menu.
In the first column of the palette, you will see some layers on the computer screen. You will be able to identify them by the eye icon. Even though you will be able to see the layer, it may not be totally transparent.
This means that you will be able to see any layers that are under the initial one. You will notice the transparency when you see a checkerboard pattern. There may be times when you will have to or want to change the visibility of a layer.
If you decide to edit the layer, whatever you change will also affect the newest layer. If you want to use another name for the layer, click on the layer’s name twice and type the new name. If you want another layer to be the new layer, choose that layer in the palette.
If you want to create a new layer, use the icon for creating a new layer in the Layer palette. Or you can create a new layer by moving the previous layer to the icon for the new layer.
If you want to get rid of a layer, use the trash icon. Or you can move the layer to the trash icon.
If you don’t want to make changes or adjustments to a layer, use one of the Lock boxes. These are located at the top of the Layers palette. In the Lock boxes area, you have commands and components such as lock pixels, lock layer position, lock transparent areas and lock all.
Styles
You have different styles to choose from when you have images with layers. There are different special effects you can use to enhance your image in Photoshop. You would choose the layer in the palette, then choose the Effects button. You will see a layer style dialog box. This is where you will be able to create the special effects for the layer that is open.
When you want to save the effects, you will select “New Style”. You can use some of the same effect later for other layers. To do that, choose the style in the palette and you will have the same ones to use for that layer. To use the Styles palette, select Window, then Show Styles.
Parts of layers that you can see through will have edges. You can also use effects here. If there are not transparent portion, there’s a chance you may not see any changes after the layer effects are applied.
Layers can also be used to put images together. Open two images and with the move tool, move one image on top of the other. The initial image will look like a new layer in the next image. You can also put images together by copying and pasting one image to another image. This can also create a new layer.
If you need to edit your images, you can use adjustable layers to do that. These layers are not only adjustable and editable, they can be used with Levels, Photo Filters, Hue/Saturation and other commands as need.
An adjustment layer is created by using the Layer function. Select New Adjustment Layer and then select one of the menu components. You can choose from Color Balance, Curves, Levels, etc.) Or you can choose the adjustment layer button and get the same menu of components.
If you need to adjust any settings with this, use the dialog box. With the adjustment layer, you can edit any part of it. On the other hand, a regular Levels adjustment is not allowed to be totally edited.
The dialog box will be in the adjustment layer and you can adjust any settings that you need to. You don’t need a lot of lot of memory and the file’s size does not get larger.
Using Selection Techniques
When you use selection techniques, essentially you are setting apart a portion of an image so that you can make changes to it. Or you may want to include that portion with other images. That portion is considered a selection.
With the selection, you can still utilize the tools used to edit images and other commands. The selection portion is protected and is considered a “mask”. This part of the image is protected in Photoshop. You will see an outline of the selection on the screen.
Using a selection tool icon, you can make a selection. Whatever tool you will be using will be in the Options bar. Use Windows and Options if you don’t see t hem. You will not see all of the tools right away. You may have to click on some tools in order to see the ones that are hidden.
Use the Ctrl-H function to show and hide the selection outline. Using Select, then Inverse will make the selection inverted. If you wish to reverse the selection, choose Select>None. To save a selection, choose Select, then Save Selection.
If you need to include more on a current selection, use the Shift key. To remove from a current selection, use the Alt key. If you need to add more to a current selection because of color, choose Select, then Similar.
If you need to move a selection or part of it, use the move tool and drag it to where you want it.
If you want to feather a selection, use the Feather checkbox. Using this will allow your selection to look softer.
How To Make Your Photos Look Better
Use an image that has a .jpg or .png suffix format. Place the images on your computer. Using Photoshop, open the photo. Make a copy of the background layer. Using the copy, you will need to use “Overlay” or “Soft Light”.
Go to the Filters section and select Other and High Pass. This will get you to the High Pass Filter. Choose an edge and adjust the radius to a different sharpness. The usual sharpness is between 1.0 and 3.5.
Go to Layers, New Adjustment Layer and Levels. Select Options where you will see three buttons. Test all three buttons to find which one will provide you with the best colors for your image.
Go to Layers, New Adjustment Layer and Curves to set the image’s contrast. To form the shape of the letter S, click about ¼ of the line upward and pull the image down just slightly. Then go about ¾ up the line and pull up slightly.
Make new layers on top of everything shown. Use the Overlay command and the brush tool. Change the colors back to black and white. The flow should be around 30%. Set the hardness at 0% in the brushes palette. Paint the selected areas that you want to draw attention to in white and black.
Colors
Using different colors in Photoshop is part of the creation process. When using colors you are considered to be in color mode. Photoshop does have a default where there are certain colors that most if not all people use. The color scheme is called RGB or Red, Green, Blue. In fact, this is the main legend that is used in Photoshop.
The color modes are used to use the colors that are included in each color image pixel. If you need to adjust the color modes, then click Image and Mode.
Each set of modes consists of channels with a grayscale image. These images can have as many as 256 shades that include white and black colors. You can look at the channels by clicking Window and then ‘Channels. The channels can be edited and adjusted if need be. Doing this can help to improve the way some of the images look.
There are some color modes that are used more than others. Here are some of the ones that are used the most:
RGB Mode – Red, Green and Blue; used to edit and adjust images in color.
Grayscale Mode – A gray color setting that has 256 shades and only uses one channel.
Indexed Mode – Only uses one channel for color and can hold up to 256 color values; it is also used for photos that have the .gif extension.
Bitmap Mode – Used for black and white colors only.
CMYK Mode – Four colors, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black; this method is used for professional publications. They should be kept and saved in this mode.
Adding Colors in Photoshop
With the variety of colors that Photoshop has, there is no excuse as to why your project won’t come out looking nice. It is not difficult to add colors in Photoshop. In fact, adding color to a strictly black and white photo will not only make it look different, but it will also bring the quality of the photo up a notch or two.
Use a black and white image that is already in the graphic software. You can drag the picture file on your desktop and place it on the Photoshop icon. After releasing the left mouse button, the software will open and show the picture where the file was. Or you can open the software and allow the program to come up. Once Photoshop is opened, click the File command. Then click open and look for the file that you need to open.
In the toolbox section, choose the Polygonal Lasso tool on the left side of the Photoshop menu. Click on it to change the mouse arrow to the lasso tool. The lasso tool should be pointed on a top corner of the picture. Choose the black and white picture using the lasso tool by holding down the left side at the top of the mouse. You will drag the selection lines until they are wrapped around the picture. When the picture is surrounded by the lines, you can edit it the way you want it.
Go to the Adjustments command by selecting it from the Image drop down list. Choose hue/saturation by clicking on it. This is what you will need to use in order to add color to the picture. Use the scrollbar until you get it the way you want it. As you are making changes, you will be able to see them in the preview area.
Color Correction
If you need to correct the colors on your images in Photoshop, you can use the Auto Color and Photo Filters. Both of these are simple to implement and can make your images look better than they did previously.
When using Auto Color in Photoshop, you are correcting images with color by checking the shadows, midtones and highlights. In order to do this, select Image, Adjustments and Auto Color. Test it to see how your image comes out. You can also get to the Auto Color command by going to the Levels dialog box and choosing Options. When you do it this way, you can use different options, which gives you an advantage.
If you see that the highlights are too much, select the Highlights Clip option to tone them down.
Using Photo Filters is another way to change colors on your images in Photoshop. Select Image, Adjustments and Photo Filters. You will see photo filter settings inside your image. There is also a preview box and you will be able to see how the settings help your image. If you need to photo filter to have more effect on your image, use the density setting.
You can also use Hue/Saturation to change the color of your image. To get there, you would select Image, Adjustments and Hue/Saturation. With Hue/Saturation, you can change all of the hues at once. You would do that by using the color wheel and changing their positions. In addition to that, you can use Hue/Saturation to change whether or not you want deep colors or lighter colors as far as saturation is concerned.
If you wish to sharpen your image, select Filter, Sharpen and Unsharp Mask. You will want to keep the preview box available. This way you will be able to see different views of the effects. You should sharpen your image no less than 50% and no more than 150% for normal images.
It is not mandatory that you use these guidelines to sharpen your image. They are suggestions. All of them may not work for everyone. So the best thing for you to do is experiment and find something that you will like. The thing with this is to make sure you it is magnified at 100% and keep the Preview box while you’re looking at it.
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