Kuzano

Life is too short to Post Process images. Having said that, I don't do it very much at all.

However, I did buy a book put out by Scott Kelby (Don't see his name much any more) That involved a series of seven steps on 23-24 images involving layers. It did a great job of getting me over the hump of understanding layers. It involved downloading the exercise image from his Web Sit after buying the book and getting the link to download them.

The book used on Amazon is under $10.

I would recommend this book purely for a huge increase in your understanding of Layers in Post Processing.

But ultimately I developed an aversion to Post Processing, and particularly RAW. I am inclined toward capturing images, rather than massaging them on a computer. I'd much rather be out shooting in nature than sitting in front of a computer diddling around and screwing up images.

Part of that may be due to 30 years of building and consulting on computers and networks. Also my work flow on photography is about 50/50 film and digital. The digital side is decreasing as I am attracted much more to film.

The Scott Kelby book I mention is this:

https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Kelbys-7-Point-System-Photoshop/dp/0321501926

He has one for Lightroom also, but remember LR does not use Layers.

The transformation of the execise images is rather incredible, following the seven steps or processes for each exercise image. It's a "work flow" pattern you are taught to use in the workbook.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

LR came out 7 years after PS. That leaves 7 years to create methods of keeping track of photo files, etc. Thus, between PS and a processor independent database, I could see no reason to pursue another application, especially one that doesn't use layers.

I'm not trying to denigrate LR or anyone who uses it. It's a wonderful processing program. I have it and look at it from time to time. I just don't see the need to use it extensively.
--Bob

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

You need to learn how to make selections. There are a million ways, it can be a daunting task because there are so many different techniques, some quite complex. Masks are your friend, YouTube is your friend. Layers, selections and masks are a team. Learn them all, they are a great way to spend time with your photography.

paulf6 Loc: Orono, ME

I struggled with masking for quite a while until it finally became clear to me. I process my images in Photoshop and sometimes in Luminar, routinely using masks to achieve the look I want. Although masking is implemented slightly differently in various photo-processing programs, (Photoshop, LightRoom, Topaz, Luminar, etc.) the basics are the same.

I follow a photographer (Jim Nix) who has produced a number of tutorials about how to use Luminar. Jim does a particularly good job explaining what masking is and how to use masks. Here is a link to one of his tutorials that nicely describes the several types of masks and how to use them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AgxS5yGpWk

Hopefully, this video will be of help to you. Good luck! -Paul

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Best you jump on youtube. Oodles of videos on PS and layers

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Maybe, but most usually not doable. And by the way, sometimes my brush strokes go far beyond 38.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Bob, I've had images on my computer since 1989, and devised a simple file naming structure and date-based organizational scheme that got me to my images fairly quickly. But when LR came around all I had to do is tell LR where the images were on my computer, and it did the rest. What I like most about LR is the virtual collections, that allow me to easily place images into various categories by image type, without any file duplication. I used to do this in Bridge, but was never happy with it.

I am not tied to Lightroom, other than I really like it. I can still find my images using Bridge, keywords, and create collections, which I suppose I could simply attach the LR collection name as a tag and save that name as a search, but I still like LR a lot more than bridge. I didn't have a database type of organization prior to adopting LR - I just used keywords and simple searches, but then I didn't have almost 200,000 images to manage either, so it was easy for me to not only keep my original file and folder naming scheme, but enrich it with the LR bells and whistles.

The only reason I used the hammer analogy was because I too have done the same thing, but only to find out that the screw eventually came loose, and I had to use a bigger screw in the same hole in order for it to hold (or some other means of holding a screw in the hole using scrap wood and epoxy and stuff).

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Thanks, I hope that some will find it helpful

Petesfixit Loc: Houston Texas

People learn in different ways. Some are great at following written instructions, others by watching the skill performed, still others by doing it and experimenting.
Me, I hate stumbling in the dark. I have no ambition to learn it myself. I am not great at following written directions. I am not fantastic at learning by watching. What I need is personal 1 on 1 instruction, a combination of watching and doing it myself.
Please find proper instruction for your style of learning. The rest is easy
I hope this is helpful
- Peter

howIseeit Loc: Kootenays, BC Canada

Woow thats the kind of answers that are usefull, thank You Linda! I am one of those klotzes too that can not learn those photoshop elements easely.
(allong with speelung of course)

howIseeit Loc: Kootenays, BC Canada

Excellent bit of info, Kuzano! I also did not know that Lightroom does not use Layers!

GiGiMac103 Loc: Garden State

Thank you for asking this question! I too have tried and failed to understand this process and can't wait to give another go at it! UHH is really a wonderful place with a wealth of information!!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The "upper layer" is what you’re working on, below it is the original photo. Now, when you apply black to the upper layer's mask, you’re masking out its effect, negating it, so in essence you are revealing the layer below so you can see it or parts of it through the upper layer. Another way to describe it is to lay a piece of paper on a photo and then cut a hole or holes in the paper to reveal the photo that’s underneath. Cutting the hole is "painting with black". The black makes the upper layer transparent, white leaves it opaque. I know, I know, it’s hard.

Indecisive Loc: MD

You may want to check out Chris Orwig’s Photoshop and Lightroom courses on Lynda.com. There is usually a free trial for Lynda.com and it’s free through many public library systems.

I mainly use Lightroom because Photoshop seems tedious to me.

Good luck.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

No wonder I'm confused. I started with an app where the masked area (red mask) was the area where the adjustment effect occurred, not where it was prevented from occurring. Then along came Luminar made by the same company as the Creative Kit software that I started with and I simply couldn't understand why the masking wasn't doing what I "knew" it should. This topic has explained that for me. (Good on ya, UHH!)