Adjustment Layers - 1

Adjustment Layers - 1

Learn how to work non-destructively with Adjustment Layers.

When to use

Any time that you want to apply an adjustment to a layer without ruining the image by applying an effect directly, you can use an Adjustment Layer.

Instructions

The Old Way of Applying Adjustments

• Expand the 'Mountain Group' folder to reveal the two layers inside. 
• Select the photo and then go to the Image Menu and choose 'Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast' from the list.
• Increase the 'Brightness' and the 'Contrast' using the sliders, and then click 'OK' to apply the change. 
• Applying an Adjustment this way ruins the photo because you can no longer modify the parameters of the adjustment.
• Undo this by pressing Command/Ctrl+Z on the keyboard.

The Benefits of Using Adjustment Layers

• Select the 'Mountains' layer inside the group folder.
• Click on the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette and choose 'Brightness/Contrast' from the menu.
• Notice that applying the adjustment this way adds it as a layer in your Layers Palette rather than applying it directly to the photo.
• You can now change the parameters of the effect by using the sliders, just like before, but you now have the ability to modify them again if you want to make any changes.
• Not only can you still modify the parameters with an Adjustment Layer, you can also toggle the visibility or the opacity just like any other layer.
• Adjustment Layers also have Layer Masks attached to them automatically, which can provide even greater control over where you want the adjustment.

Solid Color Adjustment Layers

• Delete any copies of the group folder you have in your document so you are only left with the original 'Mountain Group' folder.
• Select the 'Mountains' layer inside of the group, and then click the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette.
• Choose the first Adjustment Layer - 'Solid Color' from the list to apply the adjustment above your layer.
• You can now use the Color Picker to choose any color you like, and then click 'OK' to apply the changes.
• Applying an Adjustment Layer will affect all of the layers below it.

Using Adjustment Layers and Clipping Masks

• Go to the File Menu and choose 'Place Embedded'.
• Navigate to a different photo from the resources folder, and then choose 'Place' from the lower right corner of the dialog box.
• Scale the image up so it fills out the document, and reposition it within the space as needed.
• Drag this new Smart Object layer beneath your Color Fill Adjustment Layer.
• Reduce the opacity of the Color Fill Adjustment Layer so that you can see through it.
• You can now turn the Smart Object layer off by clicking on the eyeball to toggle the visibility of the layer.
• Doing this will allow you to see how the Color Fill Adjustment Layer is still creating a tint over any layer beneath that we can still see.
• In order to have an Adjustment Layer affect only one of the layers rather than all of them, we need to use what is called a Clipping Mask.
• Turn the visibility of the Smart Object back on.
• Move your cursor between the Color Fill Adjustment Layer and the Smart Object in the Layers Palette while holding the Alt/Option Key.
• Notice that your cursor changes into a small white box with a downwards-pointing arrow.
• Once your cursor changes, click to apply a Clipping Mask. 
• Doing this will ensure that the Adjustment Layer only affects the layer that it is clipped to, and not all of the layers below it.
• Another way you can apply (or remove) a Clipping Mask is by holding the Control Key and clicking on the Adjustment Layer and choosing 'Create Clipping Mask' from the dropdown menu.

Clipping Masks and Group Folders

• Click and drag your Color Fill Adjustment Layer above the 'Mountain Group' folder so that it's at the very top of your Layers Palette.
• Right-click, or hold the Control Key and click on the Adjustment Layer before choosing 'Create Clipping Mask' and your Adjustment Layer will now be clipped to the entire group.
• Duplicate the entire 'Mountain Group' folder so you have two copies.
• Applying the Clipping Mask to the Color Fill Adjustment Layer so that it's linked to the top group folder.
• If you now turn off the visibility of the top copy of your group folder (the one with the Adjustment Layer clipped to it) you will notice that the bottom group folder looks totally normal. 
• Next, delete the Adjustment Layer and the second group folder so you are only left with the original 'Mountain Group' folder.

Gradient Fill Adjustment Layers

• Click on the small arrow next to the 'Mountain Group' folder to expand it, revealing the layers inside.
• Select the top layer and then return to the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette.
• Choose the 'Gradient Fill' option from the menu.
• You will now be prompted with the Gradient Fill dialog box where you can choose which type of gradient you'd like to apply.
• Just like we learned about earlier, we can choose solid-to-transparent gradients, or solid-to-solid gradients. We also have the ability to choose the Style, Angle, Scale, and Method of the gradient as well as whether or not we want to reverse it.
• Click on the 'Gradient' option at the top of the dialog box to modify the colors.
• Change the colors along the bottom of the slider to black on both sides, and leave the opacity set to '100%' on the left and '0%' on the right.
• You should now have a solid black-to-transparent Linear Gradient.
• Just like before, if we turn the visibility of the layers beneath the Gradient Fill Adjustment Layer off, you will see that the fade is affecting all of the layers below.
• Let's move the Gradient Fill Adjustment Layer on top of the entire group folder, and then hold the Control Key and click on the Adjustment Layer before choosing 'Create Clipping Mask' from the menu that appears. 

Pattern Adjustment Layers

• With your 'Mountain Group' folder collapsed, click on the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette and choose 'Pattern' from the menu.
• You will now have a new Adjustment Layer that completely fills your canvas with a pattern.
• Like with gradients, you will have the ability to change the Angle and Scale of your pattern.
• Click on the small preview of your pattern to reveal the pattern folders.
• By default, you should see a few presets such as the 'Trees' or 'Grass' folders.
• Open the 'Grass' folder and select the middle pattern.
• Change the Angle of the pattern and then increase the Scale to somewhere around '355%' to hide the edges or seams of the pattern.
• From here, try clipping your Pattern Adjustment Layer to one of the other layers and then reduce the opacity so that you can see the texture being blended with the photo that it's clipped to.

Hints & tips

• Command/Ctrl+Alt/Option+G is the keyboard shortcut for adding a Clipping Mask to one or more Adjustment Layers. 
• Using Clipping Masks is a great way to apply an Adjustment Layer to individual layers or to entire group folders. 
• You can use preset patterns for your Adjustment Layers, or import patterns that you've downloaded or created. 
• Experiment with layering Adjustment Layers on top of each other and varying their opacity to create more interesting looks.