Advance Digital Image Enhancement Method
Utilizing Layers... Reading: Chapters 1,2,3 - Studio Techniques by Ben Wilmore
Lesson 8: Create Layer Masks; Quick Masks and Multiple Adjustment Layers
Keystrokes are for Windows
Skills needed to perform this lesson: This lesson assumes completion of the "Advanced Selection Lessons" or a good working knowledge of "selection skills"… especially "Quick Mask".
Objective: Understand total photographic control of "Grouped Adjustment layers".
File(s) Needed: [Lesson6.psd]
1. Open "Lesson6.psd" file
2. Make only the "rectangle" layer active and visible [Alt+Click Eye]
3. Make a rough selection of the entire window including the frame. Then:
  a) Enter "Quick Mask Mode"; Refine mask then Exit "Quick Mask Mode"
…see Quick Mask in "The Method"
4. Create a Layer Mask of the selection: [Click Layer-mask Icon]
 

Notice:
...the "link" symbol locks the mask and the thumbnail together
...turning on adjustment layer above "shape" layer only effects the masked area
{Repeat Steps 2, 3 & 4 for the "circle" and "triangle" layers}
5. Make all layers visible [Alt+Double Click Eye] on any layer "non Adjustment Layer"
6. Create and name a new Snapshot "Lesson8" then switch between Snapshots "Lesson 6 & 8"
 Observations:
 
- Lesson8 does not add any layers - just a "layer mask"
- All previous photographic effects remain.
- The file sizes of Lesson 6 & 8 are similar. "Layer masks" do not add significantly to file size.
We have total control to readjust any "Adjustment Layer" or any "layer mask" to make the expression.
7. Create multiple "Grouped Adjustment layers":
  a) make all layers active and visible: [Alt+Double Click Eye] on any "non Adjustment Layer"
b) make the "circle" layer active
c) create a "Grouped Adjustment layer": [Ctrl+Click-layer icon]
-> Select: Type = "Brightness/Contrast" and check "Group With Previous Layer"
-> Enter [Brightness = 20 / Contrast = 30]
d) turn off/on the new "Grouped Adjustment layer" and observe the changes.
8. Save snapshot "Lesson8" and close "all" files and end lesson
  a) From History Palette, select snapshot "Lesson8"
b) Create an new document from current state …[Click-left icon] bottom of palette
c) Save as "Lesson8.psd" and close all files
revision 2.2

A.D.I.E.M. ©
Bob DiNatale
Utilizing Layers... Reading: Chapters 1,2,3 - Studio Techniques by Ben Wilmore
Lesson 9: Making re-Selections using Layers and Layer Masks
Keystrokes are for Windows
Objective: Making the selections from layer shapes and seeing the difference from selecting image vs. selecting layer mask. Saving selection for future use.
File(s) Needed: CONTINUING from Lesson8...

1. From History Palette, select snapshot "Lesson8"
2. Deselect any current selections [Ctrl+D]
3. Make "Background" layer active.
4. Add selections of layer shapes:
  a) Holding the "Ctrl" key click on the "circle" layer
b) Add the "rectangle" and "triangle" layer shapes to the selection:
- while holding the [Ctrl+Shift] click the "rectangle" and "triangle" layer shapes
c) Create a new layer containing a portion of the "Background" with the additive selections:
- [Ctrl+Alt+J] and name "adding layer shapes"
5. Add selections of layer masks:
  a) Holding the "Ctrl" key, click on the mask of the "circle" layer
b) Add the "rectangle" and "triangle" layer shapes to the selection:
- while holding the [Ctrl+Shift] click the masks of the "rectangle" and "triangle" layers
c) Create a new layer containing a portion of the "Background" with the additive selections:
- [Ctrl+Alt+J] and name "adding layer masks"
6. View each selection by [Alt+Click Eye] of each new layer and observe.
7. Save selections for future use:
  a) Make a re-selection of all shaped windows: [Ctrl+click "adding layer masks"]
b) save the selection: from the Menu: >Selection>Save Selection:> and name "All Windows"
Observations:
 
Once we have taken time to make an exact mask of a key area, we can save that selection for future use. This "saved" selection is called an "Alpha Channel" and it is not only saved in a .PSD file but it is saved in a TIFF file even after the .PSD file has been flattened.
Once we have taken time to make an exact mask of a key area, we can save that selection for future use. This "saved" selection is called an "Alpha Channel". Even after the .PSD file has been flattened, this "Alpha Channel" remains and can be saved in a TIFF file
8. Close all open files and end lesson.
Revision 2.2
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