Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

By Greg Bowden

Chapter 15

Adjustment Layers

Guided Computer Tutorials

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© Greg Bowden

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 Chapter

15
Adjustment Layers
Adjustment Layers are one of Photoshop’s most valuable features. They allow you to
adjust images without altering the original. Photoshop provides a large selection of
Adjustment Layers. In this chapter you will look at the EXPOSURE layer, the LEVELS layer,
the BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST layer and the BLACK & WHITE layer.

Exposure layers
One of the most common problems when taking a photo is incorrect exposure. Photos
that are over-exposed have too much light in them. Photos that are under-exposed are
too dark. An EXPOSURE layer allows you minimize these effects.

A Loading the Sample Photo

A photo that is under-exposed has been prepared for you and it will need to be adjusted
so that the buildings in it can be seen more clearly.
1 Load Photoshop or close the current file.
2 Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.
3 Access the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 15 folder and load the
NELSON’S COLUMN file.
4 The photo is too dark to see the buildings clearly.

B Inserting the Exposure Layer

The EXPOSURE LAYER is added on top of the background layer and it will not alter that
layer in any way.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

1 Expand the ADJUSTMENTS panel

and click on the CREATE A NEW
EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT LAYER
button.

NOTE: You can also insert an EXPOSURE LAYER by clicking on the

CREATE A NEW FILL OR ADJUSTMENT LAYER icon at the base
of the LAYERS panel and selecting EXPOSURE or by displaying
the LAYER menu, highlighting NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER an
selecting EXPOSURE.

2 The EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENTS panel

is opened.

3 Increase the EXPOSURE to about

+3.5 to display the buildings more
clearly.

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 Adjustment Layers 15
C Displaying Part of the Background Layer
Unfortunately the sky and the fountain are now over exposed and do not look natural.
When you create an EXPOSURE layer a MASK is included in the layer. This allows you to
paint over parts of the background photo that have better exposure.

1 Click on the FOREGROUND COLOUR

box in the TOOLS panel and set the
colour to BLACK.

2 Select OK to set the colour.

3 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the

TOOLS panel.

4 In the OPTIONS BAR select the SOFT

ROUND 100 PIXEL brush size then
click on the BRUSH arrow again to
close the BRUSH panel.

NOTE: A soft brush usually gives good results when painting over a
layer mask.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

5 Paint over the sky to the left of

Nelson’s Column and the original sky
should be revealed.

NOTE: i You can use the [ key to reduce the brush size for painting
close to the buildings.
ii You can use the UNDO command or STEP BACKWARDS
command if you make a mistake with the painting.

6 Paint over the right side of the

column, but leave the areas close to
the buildings and fountain.

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 Adjustment Layers 15

7 Reduce the brush size to about 30 px

and paint over the fountain and the
sky close to the buildings.

NOTE: You can zoom in on areas to create the most accurate results.

8 Expand the LAYERS panel and the

EXPOSURE layer is inserted with
the painted sky stored in the MASK
thumbnail.

D Adjusting the Exposure

The beauty of the EXPOSURE layer is that you can edit the exposure at any time.

1 Expand the ADJUSTMENTS panel

and the EXPOSURE settings should
be displayed.

NOTE: You can also double click on the EXPOSURE LAYER THUMBNAIL
in the LAYERS panel to open the EXPOSURE settings.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

2 Try increasing the EXPOSURE a little

until the best effect is achieved.
Also try adjusting the GAMMA
CORRECTION a little.

3 Once you are happy with the settings, save the file in your STORAGE folder as a
PHOTOSHOP file under the file name:
Exposure Layer

Levels Layers
Levels allow you to correct the tonal range and colour balance of an image by adjusting
colour intensity and saturation. The Levels histogram gives a visual guide of the colour
range.

A Loading the Sample Photo

A photo that has poor colour intensity has been prepared for you. In this case it can be
repaired by adjusting the levels.

1 Close the current file.

2 Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.
3 Access the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 15 folder and load the TOWER
BRIDGE file.
4 It is difficult to see the contents of this photo because it is so dark.

15-6 © Guided Computer Tutorials 2009