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Kym
26-11-2009, 11:08am
By IanB (Thanks!)

I found adjustment layers and masks totally double dutch for a long time; but once I got a handle on it, the world of photography magic really opened up to me.
I hope this gets you started.

This is done from photoshop CS3.

Open an image and open the layer pallet> window>layers> and your page will look like this.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Untitled-1_.JPG

Duplicate the layer> right click on the layer>click on duplicate; or; left click & hold and drag the layer (in the pallet) to the second from right icon and release.
Turn off back ground [bottom] layer >left click the eye.

With the top layer active (in blue) left click square with circle icon at the bottom; [third from left] you now have a layer mask attached to the layer

Now the magic: Left click the white box to make it active>select the brush tool>set to opacity to 100%>have colours set to black/white>with the black colour selected paint over part of the image and the image will disappear> select white (hit “X”) and paint over the area that disappeared and the image will return. You now have the bases for a Layer masks. You will able the added a layer mask to all new layers and erase or reduce (less opacity %) effect on any adjustment layer.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Untitled-2_.JPG

To add an Adjustment layer: left click middle icon at the bottom of layer pallet>from the panel select levels for this exercise>adjust levels TO SUIT THE PART OF IMAGE YOU WANT TO CORRECT; in this case the plane. Now add a layer mask to the LEVELS layer>left click the white box to make it active>use the black brush to erase the levels effect on the sky. If you paint over part of the plane>select white and paint in to repair.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Untitled-3.jpg

For this image: add NEW levels adjustment lay and adjusted for the sky (the plane will not be affected) You can add as many adjustment layers you like to the image

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Untitled-4.JPG

Click on middle icon>select solid colour>reduce opacity>add a layer mask>erase with black brush the suit.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Untitled-5_copy.jpg

The beauty of the above is all that adjustment layers are adjustable; they can be reduced; turned off or deleted them

I often mention “soft light blending layers”
Open an image

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Soft_light_1.jpg

Duplicate layer>click softlight blending layer to add contrast and zapp>

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Soft_light_2.jpg

I also added levels layer to lighten.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/staff/tutorial/ianb/Soft_light_3_.JPG

Multiply [darken]; screen [lighten] overlay & soft light for zapp are best for photography use.

That should get you started in the wonderful world of adjustment layer and mask. Just fiddle around with it, write a few notes, and learn as you go.

(Thanks to IanB for this tute) :lightbulb:

charton
26-11-2009, 2:45pm
Kym this had me confused too. Nice tut thank you.

IanB
26-11-2009, 4:35pm
Kym this had me confused too. Nice tut thank you.

LOL don't give Kym all the credit for it!!!!! :D

I'll try and answer any questions about it but I only know what I know and that's not a lot. LOL; I didn't even know how to upload it all into the one thread. :o Thanks for that Kym

charton
26-11-2009, 8:23pm
LOL don't give Kym all the credit for it!!!!! :D

I'll try and answer any questions about it but I only know what I know and that's not a lot. LOL; I didn't even know how to upload it all into the one thread. :o Thanks for that Kym

A BIGGER THANKYOU to you Ian. Thank you!! :)

dsaini
25-03-2010, 3:43pm
Nice Work.

Thanks

Keith
25-03-2010, 3:53pm
Awesome! Well explained, will be exploring more of those areas tonight :)

Gluggy
25-03-2010, 4:48pm
yep great help clarifying these functions, I'm off to soft light some dead piccys now :) Cheers Ian and Kym

Jeanette
27-03-2010, 9:20am
great work and lots of time doing that Kym
I love photoshop and have been fortunate to have had lessons with my nephew who had to do a Teach someone something project.. ( he chose me LOL ) tis good fun and love to show some of my practice things ...

also here are some links on your forum under New to photography http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=35801 post 10 by Ricktas.. the tutorials are in video form.. I had a look at and helpful ..
Photoshop Levels Tutorials
Photoshop Curves Tutorials
Photoshop Saturation Tutorials
Photshop shadows/highlights

they are not click through.. maybe Ricktas can take over this and add them in here too :)