Learning Adobe PhotoshopElements 7By Greg Bowden

Guided Computer Tutorialswww.gct.com.au

Adjustment Layers

Chapter 16

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GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALSPO Box 311Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia

www.gct.com.au

© Greg Bowden

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First published 2009

ISBN: Module 1: 1 921217 72 3 Module 2: 1 921217 73 1

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Chapter

16Adjustment Layers

Adjustment Layers are one of Photoshop’s most valuable features. They allow you to adjust images without altering the original. Photoshop Elements provides a large selection of Adjustment Layers. In this chapter you will look at the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST layer, the LEVELS layer, the GRADIENT MAP layer and the SOLID COLOUR layer.

Brightness/Contrast layersOne of the most common problems when taking a photo is incorrect exposure. Photos that are over-exposed have too much light in them. Photos that are under-exposed are too dark. An BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST layer allows you to minimize these effects.

A Loading the Sample Photo

A photo that is under-exposed has been prepared for you and it will need to be adjusted so that the buildings in it can be more clearly seen.

1 Load Photoshop Elements in EDIT MODE or close the current file.

2 Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.

3 Access the PSE7 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 16 folder and load the NELSON’S COLUMN file.

4 Press CTRL+0 to set the view to FIT ON SCREEN.

5 The photo is too dark to see the buildings clearly.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

B Inserting the Brightness/Contrast Layer

The BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST LAYER is added on top of the background layer and it will not alter that layer in any way.

4 Select OK to accept the change.

1 Click on the CREATE ADJUSTMENT LAYER button at the top of the LAYERS palette and select BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST.

3 Increase the BRIGHTNESS to about +134 and decrease the CONTRAST about to about -45 to view the buildings more clearly.

2 The BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST dialogue box is opened, move it to the top right of the screen.

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16Adjustment Layers

C Displaying Part of the Background Layer

Unfortunately the sky and the fountain are now over exposed and do not look natural. When you create an ADJUSTMENT layer a MASK is included in the layer. This allows you to paint over parts of the background photo that have better exposure.

1 Click on the FOREGROUND COLOUR box in the TOOLS palette, set the colour to BLACK and select OK.

2 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette.

3 In the OPTIONS BAR set the BRUSH SIZE to about 100 px then click on the BRUSH arrow again to close the brush slider.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

NOTE: i You can use the [ key to reduce the brush size for painting close to the column.

ii You can use the UNDO command if you make a mistake with the painting.

4 Paint over the sky to the left of Nelson’s Column and the original sky should be revealed. Leave the sections close to the buildings.

5 Paint over the right side of the column, but leave the areas close to the buildings and fountain.

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16Adjustment Layers

NOTE: You can zoom in on areas to create the most accurate results.

D Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast

The beauty of the Adjustment layers is that you can edit the settings at any time.

NOTE: If your LAYER OPTIONS are set to a thumbnail size of NONE, the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST LAYER icon will be . You can change the icon by clicking on the LAYERS PALETTE MENU icon and selecting PALETTE OPTIONS.

6 Reduce the brush size to about 30 px and paint over the fountain and the sky close to the buildings.

1 Double click on the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST LAYER thumbnail in the LAYERS palette.