Photoshop Tutorial: How to Use Layers to Edit Your Photos

Photoshop Tutorial: How to Use Layers to Edit Your Photos?



Intro: When using Photoshop, I have to say using Layers in one of the most important things to know how to use. Layers are simply one image stacked on top on another. Let's say I have two colors, one red, and one blue. If blue is on one layer, and red is on another, stacked together you get purple. It's the same way in Photoshop. Layers where introduced in Photoshop 3.0, so if you have that and newer versions, you will be ready to go! Now, layers can be used in many ways. Let's say you want to change your eye color. To do this, you would need to create a new layer. This new layer will allow you to work over image while still being able to adjust what you need. If you wanted to enhance your eye color, it's quite simple using Layers.
How to Use Blending Options.

There are 25 options when dealing with Blending Options. Normal, Dissolve, Darken, Multiply, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Darker Color, Lighten, Screen, Color Dodge, Linear Dodge, Lighter Color, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix, Difference, Exclusion, Hue, Saturation, Color, and Luminosity. Now, I know there may be a lot but each on is different and unique that will give different effects to your image. Each blending option shows different effects with different results for each layer. So if you are going to set a layer to Color Burn with a bright image, it will most likely look different with a darker image.

How to Use Opacity.

Opacity: Opacity plays a major role when using Layers. This allows you change how heavy or how light you want your layer to be. If you're adding a texture to your image, you will want to use low opacity so set it somewhere around 10-40%. If you're adding color to your image you will want to set the opacity to around 40-70%. Really experiment with the opacity on the layers. Opacity is really important and can make a huge difference to your image.

How to Make a New Layer.

There are two main ways to make a new layer. On top of your screen, click: Layer - New - Layer. Another way to create a new layer is by clicking the icon on your layer control panel (on the right side of Photoshop) and click the icon that looks like a sticky note.

How to Merge Layers.

After creating many Layers, they can be hard to keep track of. Most of the time, it's easier to work on an image that has less layers. This is where Merging Layers is important. Merging Layers basically means smushing to layers together. This makes keeping track of Layers more manageable. There is a few ways to do this. Hot Key: CTRL + E. You can also go to (Layer - Layer Down). And finally, when you are satisfied with your image, you can go to (Layer - Flatten Image). This will combine all of your layers together so you have one full image.

Although layers may sound difficult at first, with all the things you should do with them, it's one of the easiest things to learn in Photoshop. You use Layers so much that it becomes natural and easy to do. Layers are very important to use and require a lot of experimenting but it will help you create a stunning picture. Just remember, whenever you want to add something to an image, no matter how small it is, use Layers!