Photoshop layers

How to work with Layers in Adobe Photoshop

(Adobe Photoshop Tutorials)By: Philip Bainto

First, let us know about layers.

Photoshop layers are containers where you put text and images. It can be compared to sheets of stacked acetates/transparencies. You can see the layers below through transparent areas of layers above. Moreover, you can change the opacity of a layer to make it more transparent. Layers also allow you to make changes to your image without actually altering the pixels of the original file

An example of my work:

First thing’s first: LayersTry opening your adobe photoshop and let’s start in the layers panel. (at the right side of the workspace)

With two pictures, you can change the order by dragging it

up or downIf you add a text, it will create a new

layer

Hide or show layers

You can hide a layer temporarily if you need to see other layers behind it. You hide a layer by clicking the eye icon beside the thumbnail and then clicking the eye icon again to display the content of a layer

A quick drawing in photoshop with the use of layers

Specifying a blending modeThe blending mode in Photoshop determines how the pixels on different layers mix with each other, which could yield different results. (Right click on the layer then choose blending options)

Blending options

You can try different options such as overlay which multiplies or screens the color depending on the base color

You can also apply a number of effects to our image such as drop shadow, inner glow, bevel and emboss, or color overlay.

I recommend applying it on texts, it works really well.

Masking Layers A mask to a layer allows hiding areas of an

image underneath it. You can use the Brush Tool to select portions of the image that will be hidden

Create a new layer and choose Add Layer Mask which is located at the bottom of the layers panel.

Select Brush Tool and set the hardness to 5%. Make sure that you have a Black Foreground color and a White Background color

It requires a lot of trial and errors to get it done.

An Example of Mine

To wrap it all up, merge all of the layers into one layer and then save it.

Thank youLine photo from DeviantArtScreenshot from my gameplay (Skyrim)Reference: E-Whiz: Photoshop