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Sun-Seeker — Using Photoshop Layers
Published: 2010-01-16 08:12:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 7141; Favourites: 114; Downloads: 421
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Description
EDITTHis tute has been redesigned for me by a great deviant in Norway called Eil Check out his work.
also [link]
also a double raw Tute
[link]
The layers tute was popular and while I have picked up new tricks thru videos, magazines and tips I haven't seen a good tute on DA that explains how to non destructively use layers to improve your work. I stress that you will find you own way and use the tools in photoshop differently to me and come up with your own interpretations. This tute is to give the basic methods of opening adjusting and using layers. I hope it helps you and I welcome feedback. I am no guru hehheh!
Addendum; When you finish adjusting use File/Flatten to compress the layers back into one photo.
If you save as you go use "save as a PSD file" and all your layers will be there when you come back.
To switch between black and white when you have the paintbrush selected just hit "x"
Also any adjustment layer can be adjusted down using the opacity and fill sliders.. you don't need to brush every time.
The Levels and Curves commands have drop down pre-set arrows.. click on them as they are easy to try (CS4)
Related content
Comments: 39
Just to be clear - the ratings reflect how the tutorial is written and looks, not the end result or the methods in it.
Plus
The content is good - you explain why you do things and that's always great to see. It makes it easier to understand the steps, and overall I think most people will manage to follow you without problem. I like the way you write and also how you use a handful of simple tools to improve your image - quick to use with some practice and no fancy plug-ins.
It's a good reference for people who want to take photos and edit them afterwards in Photoshop to make them look better, but still realistic.
Minus
My main problem with your tutorial is the presentation, which could have used a lot more work. The background gradient goes from black to white - the contrast is much too strong, and black background does not work with black text. Ever.
The screenshots should be cropped. Your taskbar, the PS menu - most of the time these are not relevant elements in a tutorial and only distracts the reader - remove them, and the focus is brought back to the important thing. The three last screenshots (not included the result image) are so small, I can't read the values without squinting. You've also decreased the font size here to fit the text into the remaining space - generally, I would have kept the size consistent all the way through.
Again: crop out ALL the unimportant parts - sometimes this includes everything but the adjustment window itself.
Also, I'm not a fan of Times New Roman e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s… " width="15" height="15" alt="
These are just my personal opinions - no matter the subject, I tend to pick on the design bit a lot so if I come out a bit too harsh, I'm sorry. As it is, I do think there are people who find this very useful - but I also think that if you improve the layout, you'll get better readability, a more professional look, and readers will be able to appreciate the content more e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a… " width="15" height="15" alt="
e.deviantart.net/emoticons/n/n… " width="29" height="25" alt="
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fair and helpful advice.. whats a good font then? I think we need you to write a tutorial on the best ways to make a tutorial.... seriously.... otherwise we are floundering and guessing... it would at least be a starting point to create something more individual. Thanks for the Critique Eli
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You're very welcome, I'm glad you found it useful.
Did you receive my note with my email? I'm pretty sure I sent it, but it doesn't show up in my sent notes-box... odd. Same thing happened with this critique - thought I sent it, but didn't show up.
I've actually written a tut on tuts... but that was 3 years ago, so I'm afraid parts of it are terribly outdated. Maybe when I finish this semester I'll go back and update it: [link]
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no note 
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Sun-Seeker,
I'm a graphic designer...constantly looking for new ways to manipulate photoshop when it comes to my photography...you can do so much with photoshop...thanks for the tutorial! I look forward to your upcoming work and...from father to father...wish your daughter the best when it comes to design!
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Funny how you just assume that graphic designers are wizzes at Photoshop? Glad I could add something. Daughter uses a wacom.. I should probably too.. it would be more precise than my lazer mouse!
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Looks professional, have saved and will print it out at work, no good using my ink and paper.
Thanks Dave, any tips will be a great idea!
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give it a go... if you can get the hang you are on the way but using levels and layers is just as basic and you need to know that.. just google your questions
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I printed this out and I'm going to put it next to my computer and practice this until I get it. Thank you so much for putting this is simple step-by-step terms. Ya hooo!
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Once you have done it a bit the technique becomes second nature and you can really study and adjust the elements and areas within the shot. Sometimes it is easier to adjust the whole shot and then use the mask to return it to the way it was just leaving the one area enhanced. Sometimes it is easier to use the select tool
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here's my leg...poulet!
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..lol. it was pretty cold here today.. so cold I saw a chicken crossing the road with a capon
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so the chick was crossing the road with a capon (Wikipedia is a castrated cockerel)(rooster).
Big deal.. does that only happen when its cold? Was he carrying her shopping?
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(you had to look that up instead of just pronouncing it heheh ) hehe..Caaayyypon (cape on) <
No.. actually he was showing her that crossing the road could be done...the squirrels had told her it couldnt
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FYI [link] ... and please explain about the colour problem mentioned at the bottom ????
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basically you colour see in photoshop what you colour setting are.. edit/colour settings.. usually srgb or adobe rgb1998.. also your camera has a colour setting.. it should match?? Search DA|on the subject or ask Beau. I think you need to calibrate your monitor. Have you? Pantone huey ( ebay) I borrowed Malcolms!
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Excellent David (not that there was anything wrong with the old one - except for the odd bit being out of order for memory). I did all this except for the bit of a curve adjustment for the really white bit of clouds ... I had tried changing the exposure but that never did work and I never could get that right.
I'd just like to share that another way of changing between the black and white (background/foreground) is just hitting X ... saves the mouse movement.
Now all we need is a tute from you on how to take your amazing shots in the first place (I know ... getting low or whatever other positions you get into and holding your tongue just right probably 
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I''ve added your X tip in the addendum
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its all to do with the tongue.. the X tip is a goodie well done!
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this is good. I've faved it for future reference. thanx!
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Great tutorial, David. By the way, the meds aren't working.
I don't have CS3 at the moment. It is on my old laptop that needs a new motherfuc... sorry, motherboard, after I gave it a glass of red wine. I have been using an old copy of Elements 4 for ages, but this method can be used to good effect. (We don't have curves, and, worst of all, can't process RAW files.) That is a bugger.
I think this will be really useful. Unless you use non-destructive layers methods, the image can suffer enormously.
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there's a means and a way to get CS4 Hey I respect your opinion as an elder of our community.. did the tute come across as professional.. I tried to make sure there were no typos!
So you are awake early? The sleeping pills aren't keeping you under?
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That's how I got CS3 in the first place.
The tutorial was excellent, and I have saved it to a folder I keep stuff like that in. I always like having stuff to refer to.
Early? It is 10am here, and I'm just off to drive my son back to uni. It is blowing a gale and pouring down.
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Wow, great tutorial, but that's a lot of fiddling for one picture! I'll keep it in my back pocket for when I REALLY like a picture once that didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to.
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did it look OK to you? sorta professional?
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Good tutorial David. Anyone who chooses against using layers to non-destructively edit their photos must be crazy.
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I used to be crazy.. but now I am taking my meds!
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