Monday, November 24, 2008

DUPLICATE AND CHANGE THEBACKGROUND LAYER

The Background layer is the bottommost image inthe Layers palette and the only layer when youfirst open a new photograph. You can duplicate theBackground layer and change the blending mode tochange the look or simply work on the duplicatedlayer without altering the original.Although it does increase the file size, working on aduplicated layer works well for simple changes andcan be used as a safety step in various workflows.With a duplicate Background layer, you can quicklycompare your modified image with the original by clicking the Visibility icon, the leftmost box next tothe layer thumbnail in the Layers palette, to hide theduplicated layer and view only the originalBackground layer. Then you can click the Visibilityicon on again to see the changes you made.Photoshop CS3 includes many different types oflayers. You can add layers above the Backgroundlayer for various effects. You can convert this layerand move it in the Layers palette. Layers are the keyto nondestructive image editing working on yourimages without damaging existing pixels.



1 Open an overexposed image inPhotoshop.
2 In the Layers palette, click anddrag the Background layerthumbnail over the New layerbutton and release the mousebutton.


3 Double-click the Backgroundcopyis name in the Layers paletteto highlight it.
4 Type a different name for thecopy.
5 Click here and change the blendmode to Multiply.


6 Click and drag the copylayer over the New Layerbutton and release themouse button.
7 Repeat step 6 until thephoto appears slightlydark.


8 Click here and drag the slider to the leftto lower the opacity of the top layer untilthe photo appears properly exposed.

No comments: