| Photo Enhancement with Adjustment Layers | |
(If you arrived on this page from a search, you should begin the tutorial from page one.)
Working With Adjustment Layers
Let's see what we can do with adjustment layers. From you own collection select a photo that you feel could use some fixing up and open it in PSP. I'll use the underexposed lily photo below (figure 3.03). Follow along with me but user settings appropriate to your own particular photograph.
Unlike the photo enhancement filters it doesn't matter in what order you create adjustment layers, each adjustment layer will affect only the image layer and will have no effect on other adjustment layers. With your Background layer highlighted right click on the layer title and choose New adjustment layer and then Brightness/Contrast. This will bring up the Layers Properties dialog for Brightness/contrast. You'll notice that the Adjustment tab is identical to the Brightness/contrast dialog in the Colours menu Adjust/Brightness/contrast dialog, it's operation is identical tool. Leave the settings in the General tab at their defaults. Adjust the brightness and contrast sliders values to best enhance your image and click OK.
Note: As with most effects and adjustment dialogs in PSP you can have a real time update on the canvas as you make adjustments by clicking on the eyeball icon in the adjustment layer dialog.
