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11/17/2003 12:02:57 PM · #1 |
I'm trying to learn HOW to do the many things that I know Photoshop CAN do and have a couple of questions:
--What is the benefit of using a layer to do things like levels, hue/saturation, etc. as opposed to doing these adjustments on the actual background layer?
--What is the proper way of combining the layers back into one jpeg image?
--What is a layer mask and how does it work?
--Why are many of the layer menu options always grayed out?
--Where are good online tutorials, or what are some good books (in closer to plain english and not technical terms) that will help explain some of these options?
Sorry, I'm posting this at work so can't give my exact examples of the menu options question. Also I'm sure I have more questions but without having Photoshop hands-on I know I'm forgetting something.
Message edited by author 2003-11-17 12:54:48.
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11/17/2003 12:11:15 PM · #2 |
Great that you brought this up
I am wondering abut the same things
2 of us now:-) |
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11/17/2003 12:11:33 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by toocool:
--What is the benefit of using a layer to do things like levels, hue/saturation, etc. as opposed to doing these adjustments on the actual background layer?
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They can be undone or changed later. Specifically after saving the file. If you do it on the background, you can't undo it in the history after reopening the file. |
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11/17/2003 12:19:08 PM · #4 |
Hi TooCool
I have been using Photoshop since 4.5 and still feel like there is more to learn,vast amounts of things.
Buy some books, tons out there. Go thumb through them and see which one appeals to you and the way you learn. I don't think one book is right for everyone. Do a goggle and you'll find thousands of places to answer your questions. Here are a few I have gone to for directions/help and to glean what I can. I have many more in my favorites if you need more. Good luck, have fun and don't be afraid to try things and see what happens. Just don't work on your original photo use a copy.
//www.myjanee.com/
//www.sketchpad.net/photoshp.htm
//www.tema.ru/p/h/o/t/o/s/h/o/p/
//www.visi.com/~drozone/handson/index.html
//www.digital-creativity.co.uk/tutorials.html |
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11/17/2003 12:20:16 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by toocool:
--What is the proper way of combining the layers back into one jpeg image?
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You don't have to combine the layers if you don't want to. When you save a jpeg, all the visible layers are saved in the jpeg and all the hidden layers are not. It's probably best to keep things separated in their own layers for future editing. It never fails that I need a layer back after I've merged them.
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11/17/2003 12:21:55 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by toocool:
I'm trying to learn HOW to do the many things that I know Photoshop CAN do and have a couple of questions:
--What is the benefit of using a layer to do things like levels, hue/saturation, etc. as opposed to doing these adjustments on the actual background layer? |
As already mentioned, layers provide an easy way to 'undo' your modifications - just remove the layer if you're not happy with the transformation.
Originally posted by toocool:
--What is the proper way of combining the layers back into one jpeg image? |
Simply flatten the image. The flatten option is under the layers menu.
Originally posted by toocool:
--What is a layer mask and how does it work? |
I think this has something to do with a selection that you can use repeatedly as a layer. I've never used one though as I generally make global modifications.
Originally posted by toocool:
--Why are many of the layer menu options always grayed out? |
If you're using anything before PhotoShop CS, layers are only available in 8-bit mode. My camera (D100) spits out 16-bit images so I can't use layers unless I convert to 8-bit mode.
Originally posted by toocool:
--Where are good online tutorials, or what are some good books (in closer to plain english and not technical terms) that will help explain some of these options? |
I personally recommend "Realworld Adobe PhotoShop 7" (ISBN 0-321-11560-0) which is the best PhotoShop reference I've found so far.
I hope this helps.
Ron.
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11/17/2003 12:52:16 PM · #7 |
Adjustment layers also allow you to add up effects. I often use one (RGB) Curve for the overall contrast, then another one with just one (or more) of the color channels. You never need to delete an adjustment layer; you can toggle them on and off in the Layers Palette. It is a great way to experiment.
If you find an adjustment which works well (maybe you're working on a small version of the image) and you want to apply it to another image, you can either save the settings from the Layer dialog box, or open both images and drag the adjustment layer from the Layers Palette over the new image and drop it there -- a new Layer will be created for it.
Some of the best introductory tutorials on Photoshop are at Luminous Landscape; use the Tutorials drop-down list at the top of the page. The site also has many more advanced articles in their "Understanding" series. |
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11/21/2003 06:35:08 PM · #8 |
| May I recommend the Photoshop classes offered at Rocky Mountain School of Photography? Brad Hinkel is a fabulous teacher who does an amazing job communicating concepts to all skill levels. Rocky Mountain School is Photography is located in Missoula, MT and class discriptions can be found at www.rmsp.com. I've learned SO much from them and am actually doing everything to my pictures that I've ever wanted to do including producing better black and whites than was ever even remotly possible in the darkroom. |
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