16
In this chapter
- Creating Image Layers
- Adjustment Layers: Preventing Color Banding
and Data Loss - Advanced Selection Techniques: The Pen Tool
- Layers Masks: Attaching a Mask to a Layer
The Importance
of Layers and Masks
Using layers is the most reliable and quickest way to combine images.
Layers are images within the image. They appear stacked on top of each
other, like layers in a cake or cards in a deck. Unlike cards, images in lay-
ers do not have to be the same size. Photoshop and Photoshop
Elements provide the same layer tools and layer palette.
An image composed of layers is like a stack of glass plates with a pho-
tograph glued to each plate. The transparent areas outside each pho-
tograph let you view photographs on the layers below. You can move
the pictures from side to side, or change the order of pictures in the
stack.