Learning Adobe Photoshop Cs4 - Adjustment Layers

Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4 By Greg Bowden

Chapter 15

Adjustment Layers

Guided Computer Tutorials www.gct.com.au

PUBLISHED BY GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS PO Box 311 Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia www.gct.com.au © Greg Bowden This product is available in Single or Multi User versions. Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any particular time, just as a single text book would be used. If you intend to use the notes with multiple students the single user version should be upgraded to the multi-user version. Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many copies as required, or to place the PDF files on the school network, intranet and staff laptops. A certificate of authentication is provided with multi-user versions. Bookmarks provide links to all headings and sub-headings, and individual chapters are provided.

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Chapter

Adjustment Layers

15

Adjustment Layers are one of Photoshop’s most valuable features. They allow you to adjust images without altering the original. Photoshop provides a large selection of Adjustment Layers. In this chapter you will look at the EXPOSURE layer, the LEVELS layer, the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST layer and the BLACK & WHITE layer.

Exposure layers One of the most common problems when taking a photo is incorrect exposure. Photos that are over-exposed have too much light in them. Photos that are under-exposed are too dark. An EXPOSURE layer allows you minimize these effects.

A Loading the Sample Photo A photo that is under-exposed has been prepared for you and it will need to be adjusted so that the buildings in it can be seen more clearly. 1

Load Photoshop or close the current file.

2

Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.

3

Access the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 15 folder and load the NELSON’S COLUMN file.

4

The photo is too dark to see the buildings clearly.

B Inserting the Exposure Layer The EXPOSURE LAYER is added on top of the background layer and it will not alter that layer in any way.



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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4 1 Expand the ADJUSTMENTS panel and click on the CREATE A NEW EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT LAYER button.

NOTE:

You can also insert an EXPOSURE LAYER by clicking on the CREATE A NEW FILL OR ADJUSTMENT LAYER icon at the base of the LAYERS panel and selecting EXPOSURE or by displaying the LAYER menu, highlighting NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER an selecting EXPOSURE.

2 The EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENTS panel is opened.

3 Increase the EXPOSURE to about +3.5 to display the buildings more clearly.

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Adjustment Layers

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C Displaying Part of the Background Layer Unfortunately the sky and the fountain are now over exposed and do not look natural. When you create an EXPOSURE layer a MASK is included in the layer. This allows you to paint over parts of the background photo that have better exposure.

1 Click on the FOREGROUND COLOUR box in the TOOLS panel and set the colour to BLACK.

2

Select OK to set the colour.

3 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS panel.

4 In the OPTIONS BAR select the SOFT ROUND 100 PIXEL brush size then click on the BRUSH arrow again to close the BRUSH panel.

NOTE:



A soft brush usually gives good results when painting over a layer mask.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

5 Paint over the sky to the left of Nelson’s Column and the original sky should be revealed.

NOTE:

i You can use the [ key to reduce the brush size for painting close to the buildings.



ii You can use the UNDO command or STEP BACKWARDS command if you make a mistake with the painting.

6 Paint over the right side of the column, but leave the areas close to the buildings and fountain.

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Adjustment Layers

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7 Reduce the brush size to about 30 px and paint over the fountain and the sky close to the buildings.

NOTE:

You can zoom in on areas to create the most accurate results.

8 Expand the LAYERS panel and the EXPOSURE layer is inserted with the painted sky stored in the MASK thumbnail.

D Adjusting the Exposure The beauty of the EXPOSURE layer is that you can edit the exposure at any time. 1 Expand the ADJUSTMENTS panel and the EXPOSURE settings should be displayed.

NOTE:



You can also double click on the EXPOSURE LAYER THUMBNAIL in the LAYERS panel to open the EXPOSURE settings. © Guided Computer Tutorials 2009

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

2 Try increasing the EXPOSURE a little until the best effect is achieved. Also try adjusting the GAMMA CORRECTION a little.

3

Once you are happy with the settings, save the file in your STORAGE folder as a PHOTOSHOP file under the file name: Exposure Layer



Levels Layers Levels allow you to correct the tonal range and colour balance of an image by adjusting colour intensity and saturation. The Levels histogram gives a visual guide of the colour range.

A Loading the Sample Photo A photo that has poor colour intensity has been prepared for you. In this case it can be repaired by adjusting the levels. 1

Close the current file.

2

Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.

3

Access the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 15 folder and load the TOWER BRIDGE file.

4

It is difficult to see the contents of this photo because it is so dark.

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