Using layers with photos

When you open a digital photo or a scanned image, the image appears on the background layer. For most photographic enhancements, such as cropping, correcting colors, or retouching, you do not need to add additional layers. By adding layers as you work, however, you can create interesting effects and make corrections more easily. The following table provides examples.

To	Do the following
Preserve the original image before making changes	Make a duplicate of the background layer by choosing Layers Duplicate. To work on the duplicate layer, make it the active layer by clicking it on the Layers palette.
Make color and tonal corrections	Use adjustment layers instead of changing the image directly. For more information about using adjustment layers, see Using adjustment layers.
Add text or graphics	Create text and graphics, such as lines and shapes, on vector layers to make them easier to edit. For more information about adding text, see Working with text. For more information about vector graphics, see Drawing and editing vector objects.
Create effects	Duplicate the background layer, apply an effect to the duplicate, and then blend the two layers by changing the opacity or blend modes of the layers.
Create a painting	Choose an Art Media tool from the Tools toolbar and mark the Trace check box on the Tool Options palette (an Art Media layer is created automatically). Use the Art Media brushes to create impressionistic effects.
Combine photos to create a photo collage	Open the photos that you want to combine and decide which image to use as your base image. Copy the other images into the base image by clicking an image, choosing Edit  Copy, clicking the base image, and choosing Edit Paste As New Layer. Position each layer with the Move tool . Use the opacity setting and blend mode to control how much of each layer shows through. Use a mask layer to hide parts of a layer or to create soft edges around it.
Create a panoramic photo	Take a series of photos with overlapping subject matter. Create an image with a canvas large enough to display a panorama, and then copy each photo onto a separate layer. Decrease the opacity of one layer so that you can see through it, and use the Move tool to match up the edges of the next layer. After all layers have been positioned, return their settings to 100 percent opacity.