subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 25 May 2019 37
Blend images
Found at the top of the Layers Panel, the list
of 25 layer blending modes lets you combine
layers in creative ways. It’s not always apparent
which blend mode will work for your images, so
it’s worth experimenting with different modes.
Here the Screen mode lets us merge the trees
and elephants for a simple double exposure.
Add graphics
You can arrange all kinds of graphics and
shapes on separate layers, which is helpful for
all kinds of tasks – from designing posters to
laying out web pages. Elements offers a
handy selection of ready-made shapes and
graphics for you to play with, found under
Window>Graphics.Apply Clipping Masks
A Clipping Mask confi nes the upper layer to
the outline of the layer below. So it works well
when you combine an image with a strong
shape. Simply drag the image layer on top of
the shape layer, then right-click the top layer
and ‘create clipping mask’. Here it lets us ‘clip’
an image of stars to the shape of the compass.10 quick layer tips
1
Hide all layers
Alt-click the eye icon on a layer to hide all
others, and Alt-click it again to reveal them.2
Speedy copies
Hold Alt and drag any layer, layer mask or
style up or down the layer stack to make a
quick copy.3
Select the outline
Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click on any layer or
mask thumbnail to load the shape of the layer
as a selection.4
Painting masks
When painting a layer mask, hit X to fl ip
between black (which hides) and white
(which reveals).5
Embed Layer Masks
A layer can have more than one mask
working over it if you turn the layer into a group
(Cmd/Ctrl+G).6
Merge a copy
Hit Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E to create a new
layer containing a merged copy of all the
visible layers.7
Experiment with blend modes
Use Shift and plus or minus to cycle through
layer blend modes (when not using a brush-
based tool).8
Adjust your adjustments
Double-click the thumbnail on any
Adjustment Layer to re-enter and adjust the
tonal settings within.9
Make a clipping mask
Alt-click the line between two layers, and the
top layer will only be visible where it overlaps the
layer below.10
Drag and drop
To quickly copy one image into another,
use the Move tool to drag it to the tab of the
other image, then down and in.