Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements
Using Layers to Correct an Image

Getting started using the canvas

  1. For this project open the file “BigHoleBattlefield.jpg” from the browser.
  2. Make sure the “undo history” is active.
  3. Click on “Window” then check “layers” to make the Layers window active.

Darken the sky using layers.

  1. Double click on “background” in the Layers window.  Change the name of the layer to “Bottom” by typing the word “Bottom”.
  2. In the main menu click on “Layer” then on “Duplicate Layer”.  Make the name of the new layer “Top”.
  3. In the Layers window the “eye” symbol on the left of a layer indicator indicates the layer is visible in the image.  You always see the upper layer first then it works its way down to the bottom layer.  Click on the “eye” on the Top layer.  Then that top layer is not visible (you are looking at the bottom layer, which at this time, is exactly the same.)
  4. Now click on the “Bottom” layer.  This will make that layer the active layer.  That is indicated by the layer bar turning blue.
  5. Now we will darken the entire layer.  Click on “Enhance” then “Adjust Brightness/Contrast” then “Levels” (Or simply hit Ctrl-L).  Move the middle slider to the right to darken the image.  Move it enough until the sky is dark enough.  Don’t worry about the rest of the picture.  It will go too dark.
  6. Click the “eye” window of “Top” layer.  You are now seeing the top layer.  Make “Top” layer active by clicking on its bar.
  7. Now click on the “Eraser Tool”.  It is the sixth one up from the bottom.  Choose a soft brush that is about 200 pixels in diameter.
  8. Make the Opacity 100%
  9. Hold down on the mouse button and brush along the sky of the photo.  You are erasing the top layer and the bottom layer is becoming visible.
  10. When you have finished, click on “Layer” then on “Flatten Image”.  This will reduce all of the layers to a single image.

 

Correct the Foreground

  1. Repeat steps 1 to 4 above.
  2. We will now lighten and adjust the contrast of the river and the bank.  Click on “Enhance” then “Adjust Lighting” then “Levels”.
  3. With the Midtone slider lighten the foreground.  Don’t worry about the sky.  It will go too light.
  4. Click on “Enhance” then “Adjust Lighting” then “Brightness/Contrast” and adjust the contrast.
  5. Repeat steps 6 to 10 above.