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After you've learned how to do basic editing in Photoshop, the most critical skill you can learn is using layers. Once you know how to edit your image in layers, you have a whole new world of opportunities. In this opening lesson, you'll learn what layers are and how to work with the Layers palette to create, view, or hide layers.
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Having learned a bit about layers, the next step is to start using them. Today, you'll practice moving, copying, locking, dragging and dropping layers in multiple images. As a bonus, you'll discover how to use layers to make an area of a photo pop out from the photo itself.
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Today, you'll learn how to apply and alter special effects like drop shadows and embossing. You'll also get to play with some filters and learn how to structure an image project to add filters. Since CS3 has given you the ability to nondestructively filter layers if they're made into Smart Objects, you'll also get to meet Smart Objects (and Smart Filters) in this lesson.
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Did the dog eat grandmother's portrait? Or did time and water do that damage? No matter. Using layers makes it easier than ever before to restore some of your treasured family heritage. You'll get ample practice to help you learn how to nondestructively edit images in this lesson.
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If you use the Levels command to alter the values in an image and then decide a week later that you made the image too dark, you're stuck. Each time you edit the Levels in an image, you lose image quality. But what if there were a way to edit the Levels as much as you want and not hurt the image at all? Meet the Adjustment Layers, which let you do just that.
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Layer masks are another way Photoshop lets you "have your cake and eat it too." If you bring a picture of little Johnny onto a new background image and you erase all the "stuff" that was in Johnny's original background, what happens if you need the erased items later? You'd better hope you have the original image around somewhere, and then you'll still be in for a lot more work. You'll discover the benefits of layer masks in this lesson.
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To spice up the projects and help you see how far you've come, I'll introduce some compositing projects that are suitable for beginners. In today's lesson, however, you'll edit them nondestructively with some cool, new effects. If you have your own images you want to try, I'll be happy to help you with them as well.
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Do you like the look of double-exposed images? Would you enjoy creating a seamless composite of your vacation images? Are you into scrapbooking? This is your lesson! Up to this time, you've masked images so you can either see the image in the layer or not. Now, you'll learn how you can let the images partially show. Fun stuff!
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Photoshop has a few special layers that let you create patterns, gradients, or solid colors and change them easily any time you want. You'll see how simple it is to alter the look of a complex border or change composites at whim. You'll also learn some excellent techniques to create seamless patterns, something many students really enjoy.
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Now that you've learned how to move Johnny to a new background, what happens if you want to make Johnny's image a bit lighter without making the new background lighter at the same time? You could make a complex selection, of course, but there's an easier way. It's called a clipping mask, and it lets you make any changes you want. You'll meet this mask today!
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Smart Objects are the most awesome and significant Photoshop innovation since the Layers feature. In this lesson, you'll learn how to take advantage of them. One of the most exciting things you can do with a Smart Object is place a RAW format photo in it. If you take RAW digital photos, you'll be delighted by how easy it is to correct and composite a photo but still be able to go back and make changes.
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Today, you'll put together everything you've learned in the class and see how you can make layers larger or smaller, rotate them, or use the incredible Warp command. We'll finish up with another chance for you to use your new skills with a major project.
