Layers, Blend Modes, and Adjustment Layers in Photoshop

If you've never explored layers in your graphics software, you are really limiting yourself. Working on a single background layer can be very unforgiving as any work that you do permanently alters the pixels. This article provides a basic for understanding layers in many image editing programs.

Try light graphic work or picture re-touching without any worry of damaging your original images by using Layers in Adobe Photoshop.

Learn how to selectively correct a photo using adjustment layers and masks to lighten up the shadows in a dark portion of a photo. We'll compare this method to the new Shadow/Highlights adjustment feature in Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements.

A vignette, or soft fade, is a popular photo effect where the photo gradually fades into the background, usually in an oval shape. By using Photoshop's layer masks you can create this effect flexibly and non-destructively.

Learn how to load a selection from an alpha channel, copy the selected object to a new image, and manipulate the object using the transformation commands in Photoshop.

Learn about the new layer alignment commands in Photoshop 5.5.

An overview of the new layer effects features of Photoshop 5.5.

You can add editable effects while preserving the original image layer by using adjustment layers. This site is not compatible with Netscape 4.

"Using masks, one layer can modify only a part of another, or one layer can blended with another. This is a necessary component of a technique for creating depth blurring, which can give a rendered three-dimensional image more verisimilitude."

Laurie McCanna explains working with layers and using composite modes in Photoshop 4.

Wendy Peck teaches all about layers including how to work with layers, linking and merging layers, layer effects, and layer power tools.

An overview of the screen blend mode. This site is not compatible with Netscape 4.

From creativepro.com - "Adjustment layers let you apply edits to images without touching the image itself. The layers float above the image, allowing you to experiment with different options in a non-destructive way."

An 8 part series on working with layers.