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February 2010 | Margaret Brown
If your software includes a Layer function, creating a new layer for editing can be worthwhile as it provides a very easy way to see before and after views of the changes you have made. Think of layers as stacks of sheets overlaid on the images; you can change items on one layer without affecting the image below it.
In most situations, only two layers will be required: the Background layer (your original image) and the Adjustment layer (on which all adjustments are made). To create an Adjustment layer, click on Layer in the toolbar and select New Layer or New Adjustment Layer (choose the latter if you know what type of adjustment you'll be making; we plan to make a Levels adjustment so the Levels function is selected).
When you open the new layer you'll be asked to give it a name - or accept the default name. The latter is fine if you're only creating one layer; otherwise you should name layers according to the adjustments you'll be making.
Once this is done, the new layer will appear in the Layers palette (shown on the right side in the illustration below) sitting above the Background layer (which is locked, as shown by the padlock symbol in the box). Icons resembling eyes to the left of each layer box show both layers are visible. You can hide either layer by clicking on its eye icon. Clicking this box again brings the selected layer back into view.
In Photoshop Elements, creating a new Levels Adjustment layer also calls up the Levels adjustment dialog box. Use this to make the adjustments you require. In this case, we have moved the Levels sliders in until they are just below the points at which the histogram begins to rise above the baseline. Note that only the image on the workspace changes; the Background layer shown in the Layers palette remains unchanged.
When you're happy with the adjustments, click on Layer and select either Merge Layers or Flatten Image. The former combines the layers but offers the ability to separate them later. The latter flattens all the layers into the Background, with no options for further adjustment. Only use the flatten option when you're sure you've achieved the effect you want.
Finally, save the image separately, with a different name from the original.
This is an excerpt from Post Capture Pocket Guide.
Click here for more details on this and other titles in the Pocket Guide series.
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