The Power of Layers

Perhaps the most powerful tool of photo editing software is the ability to use layers to adjust exposure and color, add text, combine images and many other effects. Photoshop Elements (and Photoshop, but not Lightroom) allows us to create different effects, each on its own layer, so they can be changed or removed later without affecting any other things we did to the image.


Using layers, I adjusted the contrast of the original photo, removed an unwanted element along the left edge, converted to a sepia tone, added the border, and typed a title. Because each effect is separate from the others, I can return to the changes at any time and revise them. For example, I could eliminate the sepia tone, select a different font for the title, or remove the border.

Becoming proficient with layers can greatly expand your creative photo editing options. Learn more about this feature in my Photo Editing --- Layers & Masks class beginning November 6, 2017, at the Lifelong Learning Center in Missoula, Montana. Click this link to register.

P.S. The class is taught using Photoshop Elements, but all the techniques apply to Photoshop as well.