Why use Layers ? (Page 2): Thanks for the nice link. While I don't think he really shows the power of layers I found his example interesting. I would have done what he did in the...

MtnMan Loc: ID

cesarakg wrote:

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

Thanks for the nice link.

While I don't think he really shows the power of layers I found his example interesting. I would have done what he did in the example differently: created a copy with "control J" and then used a mask. One of the fun things once you get going with Photoshop (or Elements or Gimp etc.) is that you do things so many different ways.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

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."

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

IMHO Layers is the single most important function in PS. Without Layers every adjustment made is to the entire image. Most often that is not what is wanted. Layers allows selective adjustments. You can use a variety of tools to choose specific parts of your picture and adjust only that part...exposure, brightness, blur, sharpen, white balance, color adjustment, levels, curves, and on and on.... Layers is also essential for printing. My master print images are not the images I display on a screen. I use Layers for selective sharpening and overall sharpening that make the print images much crisper.

MtnMan Loc: ID

MtnMan wrote:

Thanks for the nice link.

While I don't think he really shows the power of layers I found his example interesting. I would have done what he did in the example differently: created a copy with "control J" and then used a mask. One of the fun things once you get going with Photoshop (or Elements or Gimp etc.) is that you do things so many different ways.

I tried one using his eraser method (although starting with Ctrl-J to make the layer...quicker than his method). Using the eraser is simple but has a weakness compared to masking. With the mask it is easy to make corrections by painting back in with white. With the eraser it is more difficult to back up and do over. Here's the example I played with.

In any case it is easy to see that you can't really do something like this without layers.

Once you have the layers this way it is real easy to do other stuff. For example I could now darken or fuzz the mono layer.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

MtnMan wrote:

I tried one using his eraser method (although star... (show quote)

Nice clean job, MTNMan. That's the beauty of the whole process.... one can usually select from more than one way to accomplish their goal. One works well for one person, and a different method for another person.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

MtnMan wrote:

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.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

anotherview Loc: California

Papa Joe: Thanks for compliment re Day Lily picture. Here's another. I went on a spree in my backyard trying to get a good exposure of this common flower. It looks good in black-and-white, too.

Day Lily, B&W

cesarakg Loc: Candelaria - Brazil

MtnMan wrote:

One of the fun things once you get going with Photoshop (or Elements or Gimp etc.) is that you do things so many different ways.

Yeah, with Photoshop (and a lot of other programs, like GIMP), "there's more than one way to skin a cat".

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

Layers and masking are some of the most powerful features of photoshop, if you're not using them you are missing out on so much.

layers allow you to:

* make changes to your image without destroying it.
* give you the use of blending modes
* change the opacity of any effects.
* can add layer masks so that you can work selectively on your photo with any adjustments you make.

In the end layers give you more control.

cesarakg Loc: Candelaria - Brazil

Blending modes: tools for post-processing
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8878340438/blending-modes-tools-for-post-processing

Quote:

In previous articles, we've covered setting up and... (show quote)

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

anotherview wrote:

Papa Joe: Thanks for compliment re Day Lily picture. Here's another. I went on a spree in my backyard trying to get a good exposure of this common flower. It looks good in black-and-white, too.

Nice job! Sometimes B&W is even more attractive than full color, depending on the subject and what you wish to show. Nice detail, well exposed. Good to use one's imagination... keep at it.

DPFotos Loc: Pembroke, Ma

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

if you are just re-sizing, sharpening and auto contrast then you are wasting your money on this powerful program

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

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

Absolutely, IMO, Layers are probably the one most important part of PS & any other software that utilized layers. You may want to look into joining, NAPP ot Kelby training.com for extensive tutorials on layers, there is also You Tube where you will find multi videos regarding layers. In a couple words, You will open a new world using layers. There is also a good book on Amozon from Matt Klosklowski on layers (I think thats how he spells it.)

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

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

You are sitting in a Ferrari and haven't even cranked it up. I have been using Photoshop since the late 90's and learn something every week....but it takes an appetite to "want to learn"!!! The "net" is loaded with free tutorials. Join NAPP (Natonal Association of Photoshop Professionals) there are tons of short videos tutorials with "how too's"!

It has been my experience that I get a THRILL out of learning how to do something new.

The fun is in the journey!

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

sometimes its jut FUN
you can let your imagination go
I put this together recently after
taking a long ride to a country
fair..... past many farms
with for sales signs up.

Made me wonder about the longevity of the
American Farm..so many are being sold and turned
into real estate developments......