Starting with layers.

[Ian Mc]

Up until recently I have been using PSE 5 on Quick Fix but decided to try using layers.

Here is one of my first shots mostly Levels layer.

Ian Mc

[bigdawg]

Very sharp detail...Bright colors there!

Dawg

[Ian Mc]

Thanks Dawg.

Appreciate your comment.

Cheers:Ian Mc

[Gumnut]

agreed a nice sharp colourfull image

we get silver eyes here too and they are very small
i am not sure if yours is the same but if it is as small then this is even better

judging by the callistamon (?) flower it looks a similar size

how do you work a levels layer ?

[NonEntity1]

I am learning this aspect of PP myself. From the looks of your shot, I think you are ahead of me!

Tim

[Ian Mc]

Hi John

Yes, same flighty little bird as found in Australia and South Pacific.

I am really new to layers ( and even Photoshop Elements) but got out a library book Photoshop Elements 5Workflow which is good in short learning steps.

Anyway I use PSE 5 Full edit and select shot and Layers/Levelsthen work left hand slideron histogram to get colour depth followed by right slider to lighten then adjust with either mid slider and or brightness layer.

Actually I was hoping for someone to give me a few tips on using Layers... LOL.

Cheers : Ian Mc

[mtngal]

Well, there's layers and there are levels. I use CS2, so don't know all of the limitations that PSE has. I use adjustment layers all the time - do a couple of them and decide which one you like best. For using level adjustment - there's a couple of ways of making adjustments. First one is to make a new levels adjustment layer and then select auto correction. Often what it comes up with works really well but other times it's horrible. The second way is the way you did it - look to see where the black histogram has information (bars) and then move the right slider to where there's the first bar, and the same thing with the left slider. That sets your white point and your black point without changing your colors at all. A third way to play with it, especially if the white balance is off, is to use the right hand eye dropper and click on something in your picture that is supposed to be white. Use the left hand eye dropper to select something black. That not only corrects contrast, it will correct color casts, too. All three of these are done using the master color, you can make adjustment manually with any of the color channels (they are on a pull down menu at the top of the levels adjustment screen).

Is all that familiar to you or did I just confuse you? I used to love playing with levels adjustments but don't use it that much since I got Lightroom. There are times, though, when I do better with Levels.

As far as layers in general go, there's nothing particularly complicated about the principle. However, when you get into the particulars, it can be incredibly complex (what does "soft-light blending mode" really do?). I only scratch the surface of what you can do in Photoshop.

[Ian Mc]

Thanks Harriet.

I'll save this page for more fine tuning my shots.

The Clipping preview in levels is also worth a shot.

Ian Mc

[Gumnut]

ok i dont have level adjustments in GIMP (i dont tjink)
i have just been using levels to set the dark and light points
and then curves to adjust the mid tones
i find i can tweak a bit of light into a car tyre for instance
without affecting the rest of the tones

i am still condused what you guys are doing lol

[Ian Mc]

Sorry John

The Gimp is one programme I didn't keep !!! LOL.

Harriet : I tried adding auto levels after levels adjusted and ended with this result after a few tweaks !!!