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02/01/2009 08:07:42 PM · #1 |
Hello everyone,
When do we use new layer, layer mask and adjustment layer? The more I read about them, the more confused I become. In the end, I don't know what to do with my photo! Haha.
Ang |
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02/01/2009 08:15:02 PM · #2 |
Just play. Only then will you discover what they can do for an image. Each image is different...therefore there are no set rules.
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02/01/2009 08:27:09 PM · #3 |
The answer depends on what you are trying to do with your image.
Get an understanding of what they all do and you will begin to find the best times to use them. A very quick description, and I am but no means an expert on Photoshop:
Layer - this is like stacking transparencies on top of each other. Imagine 3 different pieces of transparent plastic, each with an image on a different part. When you lay them all down on top of each other you see all the images together as if on one sheet. This is how layers work.
Layer Mask - This allows you to make parts of a layer visible or invisible so you can see "through" to the next layer. A common use of this is to blur certain areas of the photo but keep others sharp. You would duplicate your layer, and blur the new "top" layer. You would then apply a layer mask to the top layer and paint the areas of the blurred image you don't want to see black (you need to make sure the mask is selected and not the layer itself). This lets you see through to the original sharp image where you paint the mask black but keeps the parts of the blurred image you want to keep. This can also be used for lots of other things, such as selective colouring, selective brightness, etc.
Adjustment layer - This is the same as making an adjustment directly to the image except it is made in a new layer with a mask. Imagine where you would normally brighten your image using brightness / contrast. This is the same except it creates a new layer just for controlling the brightness contrast. The advantage of this is you can then use the layer mask for the brightness / contrast layer to apply the adjustment only to selected parts of the image by painting through (painting the mask black) the areas you don't want the adjustment layer to apply to.
Like Judi says, play around with these controls a lot, the more you use them the more you will become familiar with them and know when best to use which. Remember you can use them in combination, some of my images when I'm finished editing will have 5 or more combinations of layers and layer masks.
Hope that helped and didn't just confuse you more, I'm not the worlds best at describing things somethings! |
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02/01/2009 11:38:18 PM · #4 |
Hello Judi and Covert_Oddity,
Thanks for the response. I will play with it and read more about these layer stuff. Thanks a lot.
Ang
Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:
The answer depends on what you are trying to do with your image.
Get an understanding of what they all do and you will begin to find the best times to use them. A very quick description, and I am but no means an expert on Photoshop:
Layer - this is like stacking transparencies on top of each other. Imagine 3 different pieces of transparent plastic, each with an image on a different part. When you lay them all down on top of each other you see all the images together as if on one sheet. This is how layers work.
Layer Mask - This allows you to make parts of a layer visible or invisible so you can see "through" to the next layer. A common use of this is to blur certain areas of the photo but keep others sharp. You would duplicate your layer, and blur the new "top" layer. You would then apply a layer mask to the top layer and paint the areas of the blurred image you don't want to see black (you need to make sure the mask is selected and not the layer itself). This lets you see through to the original sharp image where you paint the mask black but keeps the parts of the blurred image you want to keep. This can also be used for lots of other things, such as selective colouring, selective brightness, etc.
Adjustment layer - This is the same as making an adjustment directly to the image except it is made in a new layer with a mask. Imagine where you would normally brighten your image using brightness / contrast. This is the same except it creates a new layer just for controlling the brightness contrast. The advantage of this is you can then use the layer mask for the brightness / contrast layer to apply the adjustment only to selected parts of the image by painting through (painting the mask black) the areas you don't want the adjustment layer to apply to.
Like Judi says, play around with these controls a lot, the more you use them the more you will become familiar with them and know when best to use which. Remember you can use them in combination, some of my images when I'm finished editing will have 5 or more combinations of layers and layer masks.
Hope that helped and didn't just confuse you more, I'm not the worlds best at describing things somethings! |
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