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 12/26/2004 06:22:28 PM · #1
Hi all,
I'm still working on figuring out photoshop & I was hopeing someone could post for me a little info on using layers in photoshop- I'm not quite sure how to have muliple layers in a photo. Can you give me some basic guidence in how to combine layers & apply them to create 1 photo? Thanks.
 12/26/2004 06:47:20 PM · #2
Apologies SummerBreeze, but that's a little like asking someone what to do with a car - we have no idea where to start. Check out a few web tutorials, like this one and come back here when you have specific questions.
 12/26/2004 07:02:05 PM · #3
really depends on what you are trying to do with the layers... you can do almost anything with layer - combine two different images to make one, or selectively touch up one, etc, etc. The most important things to know imo are how to use layer masks and the various blending modes.
 12/26/2004 07:25:09 PM · #4
The PS help file has a nice section on using layers -- it is really the best place to get an idea of what they are and how they are used. Then, as mentioned, when you have specific questions how to accomplish a task using layers -- don't hesitate to ask.

David
 12/26/2004 07:31:01 PM · #5
Note that one thing you can't do with layers is use them in entries for Basic Editing challenges : )

You can use Adjustment Layers, but not layers with pixels on them.
 12/26/2004 09:45:37 PM · #6
Well, I was looking at the tutorial on DP for "Blurring to improve a mood". The tutorial suggested using layers to get a 3-D effect, however, the steps were not really outlined. Some of the effects I would like to create- are photos that have a softened, intentional blur to them (much like professional portraits). And I would like to create radiantly glowing skin, like in some of the portrait shots I have seen on this site. I just have no idea where to begin, I can't seem to mimic what others have done- in trying to get an image more on the professional level.
 12/28/2004 06:10:29 PM · #7
Originally posted by SummerBreeze:
Well, I was looking at the tutorial on DP for "Blurring to improve a mood". The tutorial suggested using layers to get a 3-D effect, however, the steps were not really outlined. Some of the effects I would like to create- are photos that have a softened, intentional blur to them (much like professional portraits). And I would like to create radiantly glowing skin, like in some of the portrait shots I have seen on this site. I just have no idea where to begin, I can't seem to mimic what others have done- in trying to get an image more on the professional level.


I'm right there with you on trying to create the soft skin... Or even how to punch up the colors of a photo... I'm totally clueless when it comes to editing. I know how to crop and resize!
12/28/2004 06:56:30 PM · #8
Typically the most effective way to "punch up" the colors -- really improving contrast and extending the dynamic range -- is to use Curves or Levels. Play around with them on one or more Adjustment Layers and you can make cumulative non-permanent changes.

For some examples of how they work, check these galleries at pBase:

Curves
Windshield
Abstracts
 12/28/2004 06:59:55 PM · #9
I don't know if they still have them, but do you remember how some of the fancier encyclopedias and reference books in the school library had pages where you could view different parts of the human internal anatomy by layering successive celofane sheets that had different details on them? It would start with a regular page that just had a skeleton. Then there would be a celofane layer with some of the internal organs, maybe the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. Then the next sheet might have organs closer to the front, like lungs, stomach and kidneys. Then would come a sheet with nerves, then one with with muscles, and finally one with skin. As you turned over each successive "layer", there would be spots where you could see down to the layer below, so that as you added, the picture became more complete.

PS layers are kinda like that, but cooler. :)

At their basic, photo touchup, level, the original photo is the base layer. Each layer you add modifies the layer(s) below it. Masking lets you limit the area that a layer affects (sort of like in the encyclopedia, after adding the stomach layer you might still see the kidneys underneath where the stomach didn't take up its whole layer).

Adjustment layers don't actually put any new pixels in front of the base layer, but apply the adjustment (such as levels, curves, color adjustments) to all the layers below. The benefit of creating an adjustment layer instead of just making the adjustment under Image | Adjustments is that you can apply the adjustment, but the base image hasn't actually been affected. You can later go back and either change the parameters for the adjustment (say you decide you didn't get enough contrast out of the curves adjustment), turn the adjustment off temporarily (what if I hand't made that adjustment), or delete it alltogether.

And there's lots more you can do from there, like was mentioned blending modes, which I haven't really taken the time to figure out yet but need to. But if nothing else, for the flexibility I described, layers are a good tool to start using.

HTH
 12/28/2004 07:10:56 PM · #10
Great explanation of layers there, Scott!
Summerbreeze, I'm only learning myself, but I think the answer to your soft focus in a portrait is something along these lines:
duplicate the layer, apply a gaussian blur (which makes it look horrible). Then, in the layer's box, lower the opacity of the blurred layer until it looks right (perhaps about 40% or so, depending on the photo).
Not sure if that is the correct way to do it, but it worked when I just tried it.
Other than that, do what I do..... head to your library and start reading, reading, reading......
Good luck!
 12/28/2004 07:11:11 PM · #11
Originally posted by ScottK:
I don't know if they still have them, but do you remember how some of the fancier encyclopedias and reference books in the school library had pages where you could view different parts of the human internal anatomy by layering successive celofane sheets that had different details on them? It would start with a regular page that just had a skeleton. Then there would be a celofane layer with some of the internal organs, maybe the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. Then the next sheet might have organs closer to the front, like lungs, stomach and kidneys. Then would come a sheet with nerves, then one with with muscles, and finally one with skin. As you turned over each successive "layer", there would be spots where you could see down to the layer below, so that as you added, the picture became more complete.

PS layers are kinda like that, but cooler. :)

At their basic, photo touchup, level, the original photo is the base layer. Each layer you add modifies the layer(s) below it. Masking lets you limit the area that a layer affects (sort of like in the encyclopedia, after adding the stomach layer you might still see the kidneys underneath where the stomach didn't take up its whole layer).

Adjustment layers don't actually put any new pixels in front of the base layer, but apply the adjustment (such as levels, curves, color adjustments) to all the layers below. The benefit of creating an adjustment layer instead of just making the adjustment under Image | Adjustments is that you can apply the adjustment, but the base image hasn't actually been affected. You can later go back and either change the parameters for the adjustment (say you decide you didn't get enough contrast out of the curves adjustment), turn the adjustment off temporarily (what if I hand't made that adjustment), or delete it alltogether.

And there's lots more you can do from there, like was mentioned blending modes, which I haven't really taken the time to figure out yet but need to. But if nothing else, for the flexibility I described, layers are a good tool to start using.

HTH


Woo! I think you just overwhelmed me! I just used PS for the first time on Sunday, so these concepts are all very new to me! I think I just need to start playin around!
12/28/2004 07:31:30 PM · #12
Originally posted by Beetle:
Great explanation of layers there, Scott!
Summerbreeze, I'm only learning myself, but I think the answer to your soft focus in a portrait is something along these lines:
duplicate the layer, apply a gaussian blur (which makes it look horrible). Then, in the layer's box, lower the opacity of the blurred layer until it looks right (perhaps about 40% or so, depending on the photo).

That's about it ... : )
 12/28/2004 07:36:24 PM · #13
Here's a very quick overview of how to create the soft-focus effect. I'll use layers, since this way is more flexible. I'll then provide a legal-for-basic-editing alternative. I assume Photoshop, and I am using CS; I don't think there are any real differences for those using 7.0.

- Open the photo to be worked on.
- Make sure the layers window is open (F7, or check "Layers" on the Window drop-down on the main menu.
- Click on the "layers" tab to make it active if necessary, then right-click on the "background" layer (should be the only one there) and choose "duplicate layer. You now have two layer,s "background" and above it "background copy". Note that layers above "cover up" those below unless masked or reduced in opacity.
- With the "background copy" layer active (click on it if it is not shaded blue) add a layer mask by clicking on the icon at the bottom of the layer window that looks like a circle in a rectangle (2nd from left).
- Notice that on the "background copy" layer there is now a white box. you can now activate either the mask (white box) or the layer (thumb) by single-clicking on them.
- Click on the "background copy" layer (not the mask) go to the main menu, and choose filter/gaussian blur and apply a blur of about 3px to 5px. Notice that the photo looks very blurry. We'll cut back the effect next.
- On the layers window (at the top), adjust the opacity of the "background copy" layer using the opacity slider. About 30-40% usually works best. Notice that you can adjust the strength of the effect with the opacity slider. You can try using a larger or smaller blur radius as well, and see the result.
- Next, click on the white layer mask for the "background copy" layer. Look at your tools pallette. Your foreground color should be black, and the background color should be white. Choose the paintbrush tool, you are going to want to paint onto the mask with the foreground color (black). Set the brush size to about the size of the subject's eye, or slightly larger, and set the opacity to 15%, mode normal, and flow 100%. Brush hardness should be set all the way to the left (soft). Brush over the eyes and lips to gently bring back some sharpness. If you bring back too much, step back in the history, use the eraser, or paint back with white.
- You should now have a complete "soft" portrait. If you want to see the difference, click on the "eye" icon next to the "background copy" layer to turn it off and on. yo may notice that the contrast seems a little blah now. If so, click on the "background" layer, and increase the contrast slightly. you may also find that starting with a slightly sharper image will yield a more pleasing effect. You can apply some gentle USM to the "background" layer after the above procedure if you feel it is desirable.
Though the above sounds like a complicated process, once you are used to the function of the tools involved, it can be done in a couple minutes. It's a good start on using layers, showing how two layers can be combined using both opacity and masking.

Now for the basic-editing-legal effect:
- Open your image
- Choose filter/blur/gaussian blur and blur 3px to 5px
- immeditaely choose edit/fade gaussian blur and set to desired "opacity". This last step must be performed immediately after the blur step. The opacity works the same as setting a layer opacity. Note that using this method, you cannot mask areas that need masking, and once done, you can only go back to a state before the blur and re-do. You cannot do USM or other operations on the underlying image. You can, of course adjust contrast of the image.

Now you should see the flexibility you can gain by working with layers, and you have an intro to how to create them and one method for creating a layer mask.

12/29/2004 01:17:41 AM · #14
Wow, thanks everyone for the tips- I'll have to try that out tomorrow, seeing as I'm a little "photoshoped out" for the day- I've literally spent the last 6 hours or so, just messing around with the program. Whenever I would try to duplicate layers, and then apply the gaussian blur- for some reason it would change "all" the layers to gaussian blur. I'll have to go over your steps Kirbic, tomorrow & see if your way works. For now when editing the portraits, I've been selecting all the parts that need to be in focus (mouth, eyes, nostrils, hair, eye brows, clothing) & then selecting "Inverse selection" then applying the gaussian blur (which ends up slighly blurring the skin, setting the gaussian blur pixels to 2.5). So far, this has been working nicely. I apreciate you outlining all those steps for me, I will definitly give it a try tommarrow. :)
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