Photoshop for Photographers ©
Bob DiNatale
Activity: Adjustment Layers & Layer Effects...
Reading: Chapters 3 & 12- Studio Techniques by Ben Wilmore
Keystrokes are for both Windows and Macintosh.

Lesson 1: Creating and changing Adjustment Layers.

1. Create a "new file 750 x 350 pixels and name it "collage2" .PSD .
2. Open 4 files PSPcollage_A; _B; _C and _D.jpg
3. Duplicate, in order, the 4 "Background" layers of files "A,B,C & D" by dragging the image icon in the Layers Palette to the newly created "collage2" file. (re-select and close the files "A,B, C & D")
4. Move "layer 4" (should be CU of sand and grass) below "layers 1, 2 & 3" and rename it "texture".
5. With the "texture" layer active, resize and move to cover white background:
  a) Resize: Menu:>Edit>Transform>Numeric... in the "Scale" box: uncheck "Constrain Proportion" and enter "Width = 750 pixels" and "Height=350 pixels" then click "OK"
b) Move: make the "Move" tool active move texture to cover white "Background"
6. Change "Opacity" of "Texture" layer to 30%
7. Move and prioritize layers 1, 2 & 3 to create a collage and name "Left, Center, Right appropriately.
8. Adjust "Levels" for layers 1, 2 & 3: Menu:>Image>Adjust>Auto Contrast
9. Create a "Color Balance - Adjustment Layer" for layers 1, 2 & 3:
  a) make "layer 1" active
b) create a "grouped adjustment layer": Menu:>Layer>Adjustment layer:Type="Color Balance", make sure check "Group With Previous Layer" box is checked.
c) adjust color balance as desired the click OK
d) repeat for "layers 2 and 3"
10. Add a second adjustment layer to "layer 3"
  a) Menu:>Layer>Adjustment layer: Type="Level". Adjust then click OK
11. Change "texture" layer to a desired SAND color using an "adjustment layer":
  a) Menu:>Layer>Adjustment layer:Type="Hue/Saturation" - adjust "Hue, Saturation & Lightness" sliders.
Note: because this is the base layer, there is no need to check "Group With Previous Layer" box. When this box is unchecked, all layers below are effected by the adjustment layer.
12. After colorizing texture" layer you may want to readjust "color balance" on other layer. Simply double click on the Adjustment Layer icon in the layer and readjust the values.
This is the power of adjustment layers... they are infinitely re-adjustable without reprocessing any pixels or your original image!
Revision 1.0

Photoshop for Photographers ©
Bob DiNatale
Activity: Adjustment Layers & Layer Effects...
Reading: Chapters 3& 12- Studio Techniques by Ben Wilmore

Lesson 2: Creating Layers Effects.

 
... Continuing from Lesson 1 above:
1. Create a"Drop Shadow" and "Beveled" effect on "layer 1":
  a) make "layer 1" active
b) from the Menu:>Layer>Effect>"Drop Shadow"
- adjust Opacity, Blur,and Intensity as desired
(you can move the shadow by placing the cursor over the image and click drag)
c) from the Effects " pull down" menu, select "Bevel and Emboss"
- select Style = "Inner Bevel" then adjust "Depth and Blur" (experiment with other "Styles")
2. Create an "Outer Glow" effect on "layer 2":
  a) make "layer 2" active
b) from the Menu:>Layer>Effect>"Outer Glow"
- make sure the "Apply" box is checked
- change "Mode" to "Normal"
- double click the Color box and select a red
- adjust Opacity, Blur,and Intensity as desired
- double click the Color box and readjust* the red color
*(click "H" and change numbers with Shift+arrow keys)
3. Choose which effect, Layer 1 or 2, you like best and copy it to "Layer 3"
  a) make active the layer 1 with the Effect you want to copy, then
b) select the Menu:>Layers>Effects>Copy Effects, then
c) make active the layer 3, then
b) select the Menu:>Layers>Effects>Paste Effects
Like Adjustment layers, Layer Effects are infinitely re-adjustable without reprocessing any pixels or your original image!
4. Save file and end lesson.
Revision 1.0
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