Why use Layers ? Hi Everyone , Ive been using Photoshop since Version 4 I now use CS5 . Ive usually just Resize, sharpen , auto contrast only. Never used Layers .. Tried a Couple of...

Lukabulla

Hi Everyone ,
Ive been using Photoshop since Version 4
I now use CS5 .

Ive usually just Resize, sharpen , auto contrast only.
Never used Layers .. Tried a Couple of times but found it way too complicated .

My results are generally V Good .
Am I missing out by not layering ?
What would i gain ?

Cheers

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Lukabulla wrote:

Hi Everyone ,
Ive been using Photoshop since Version 4
I now use CS5 .

Ive usually just Resize, sharpen , auto contrast only.
Never used Layers .. Tried a Couple of times but found it way too complicated .

My results are generally V Good .
Am I missing out by not layering ?
What would i gain ?

Cheers

One advantage to using layers is you can turn it on/off if you don't like your adjustments without touching your original. There are many more advantages. You are definitely missing out by not using layers.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Lukabulla wrote:

Hi Everyone ,
Ive been using Photoshop since Version 4
I now use CS5 .

Ive usually just Resize, sharpen , auto contrast only.
Never used Layers .. Tried a Couple of times but found it way too complicated .

My results are generally V Good .
Am I missing out by not layering ?
What would i gain ?

Cheers

Hi Lukabulla,
If you have not emerged into using layers, you're only using about 10% of what photoshop is capable of doing. Check out Rick's site which has many videos and good advice. This link will take you directly to the section about layers. Good Luck. Let's see some of your results, when you discover layers benefits.
Happy shooting!
www.essential-photoshop-elements.com%2F&ref=&ss=1105j257721j6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/search-results.html?cx=partner-pub-2727182728008920%3A5dkq1cwhqap&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=layers&sa=Search&siteurl=www.essential-photoshop-elements.com%2F&ref=&ss=1105j257721j6

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Lukabulla wrote:

Hi Everyone ,
Ive been using Photoshop since Version 4
I now use CS5 .

Ive usually just Resize, sharpen , auto contrast only.
Never used Layers .. Tried a Couple of times but found it way too complicated .

My results are generally V Good .
Am I missing out by not layering ?
What would i gain ?

Cheers

I may also be missing out as I have not used layers in any program in 30+ years

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

One can incorporate elements from different original images, to make a ..Montage/ sandwich/ better sky for your landscape etc.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

JR1 wrote:

I may also be missing out as I have not used layers in any program in 30+ years

There's still time, JR1 :)

MtnMan Loc: ID

Pablo8 wrote:

One can incorporate elements from different original images, to make a ..Montage/ sandwich/ better sky for your landscape etc.

Layers is the reason to use a relatively complicated program like Photoshop or Elements. Otherwise you'd likely do better with Lightroom or Picasa.

Capturing the utility of layers in one sentence is difficult. It is like trying to explain why you should learn to read in one sentence.

That said I don't feel every photo can be made better by applying layers. I mostly use Lightroom and only go to Photoshop for special purposes.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Using layers should be one of the first things one should learn when using PS. So much flexibility. Use them all the time swapping heads/eyes and retouching. Too many other uses to list them all. My advice would be to "Jump on the layering bandwagon" and take advantage. Ctrl J and adjust away :)

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

In the beginning, before man created layers there was much renameing and saving. As man progressed and Adobe and a few others created Layers, PP took giant steps forward. The PP now allowed the user to create visions unknown in the past. And delete those visions with a single trip to the trash. Thus allowing him to dispose of his mistakes without care. He could now use Masks, frames, blending, and a mountain of other tools to correct what should have been in the first place. LOL

cesarakg Loc: Candelaria - Brazil

Maybe...

* selective undo/redo (use one layer for every kind of change)

* preserving original image as a layer (you can undo all editions with a simple deletion of layers)

* the possibilities of the blend modes (the way you blend the layers will change the final result)

But if you are satisfied with not using layers, then don't.

-oOo-

Layers 101: Improve Your Photos by Editing With Layers
http://www.techhive.com/article/165856/digital_focus.html

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Papa Joe wrote:

There's still time, JR1 :)

Nope, you can't teach a knackered old dog new tricks

anotherview Loc: California

Layers come in flavors, so to speak.

Adjustment layers bring in adjustments like Hue/Saturation, Exposure, Black-and-White, Vibrance, Levels, Curves, etc. These adjustment layers offer presets for effects. Very powerful layers to improve your photographs.

You can also start a new layer. Then you can apply preset Blending Modes to it. After the applying, you can adjust the Opacity of the layer to reduce the BM effect by degrees.

Another use of layers: Do a selection with a new layer. Work on the selection isolated to this layer.

You may also always delete a layer if necessary.

Just jump into layers. Try the layer presets. You'll thank yourself later.

Good luck.

Day Lilies
Day Lilies...

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

anotherview wrote:

Layers come in flavors, so to speak. br br Adju... (show quote)

Beautiful shot, anotherview!

EstherP

You probably have been using layers already, but because you didn't have the layers bin open, didn't know it.
For example, if you copy and paste an image or part thereof, to another image, the program itself makes a layer to put the the copied part on. Or even if you copy/cut and paste within the same document, program makes a new layer.
If you like the "select colour" kind of image, layers makes it very easy: Copy your image to a second layer, make that layer monochrome, then "paint away" the part of the monochrome you want to keep in colour. (Actually a bit more involved than this, but you get the idea).
Here's a video to start you off:
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-photoshop-elements-11/working-with-layers-in-photoshop-elements-11/
(This is for PSE11, but if you click on Help you'll be taken to the adobe website, then search on "Layers CS5").
EstherP
EstherP

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Likely the single most powerful use of layers is in blending modes. You can MUCH better fix digital underexposure by duplicating the base layer onto a new layer (on top of the base) and then select "Screen" as the blending mode. To darken things, use "Multiply." In digital manipulation, using blending modes is light years ahead of any other methodology (like Brightness and Contrast or Levels) if only for the fact it is nondestructive. Using layers this way, then using a soft edged ERASER on the top blended layer reveals immense "dodging and burning" control the likes of which would send olde darkroom workers to the looney bin.