Photoshop: Advanced Adjustment Layers and Blend Modes

Master adjustment layers. Learn how to maximize what you can do with Photoshop adjustment layers and blend modes by finding new uses for these features.

Introduction

• What you learn in this course
• What you should know before watching this course
• Exercise files

1. Adjustment Layer Essentials

• What is an adjustment layer and when should you use one?
• Clipping an adjustment layer to a single layer
• Using layer masks and adjustment layers
• Using blending modes and adjustment layers
• Organizing adjustment layers by grouping
• Using advanced blending options

2. The Hidden Power of Auto

• Removing color cast with Auto Curves
• Improving contrast with Auto Curves
• Removing color cast with Auto Levels
• Improving contrast with Auto Levels
• The role of Auto Brightness/Contrast
• Setting a new default auto value

3. Beyond Black and White

• Creating custom black-and-white effects with the On Image tool
• Creating duotones with a Black & White adjustment layer
• Creating spot color effects with a Black & White adjustment layer
• Creating bleached bypass effects with a Black & White adjustment layer
• Using a lookup table to refine the black-and-white effect

4. Hue/Saturation

• Refining a Hue adjustment layer with the On Image tool
• Creating duotones with a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer
• Recoloring artwork with a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer
• When to choose Vibrance over Hue/Saturation
• Using blending modes with Hue/Saturation

5. Expert Color Grading with Color Lookup Tables

• Using the Color Lookup adjustment layer
• Loading new lookup table presets
• Creating custom lookup tables
• Synchronizing multiple images with lookup tables
• Exporting a LUT for use in other applications

6. Gradient Maps

• Creating dramatic colors with a gradient map
• Expert-level black and white with a gradient map
• Creating custom duotones with a gradient map
• Recoloring an image with a noise gradient map

7. Smart Objects

• Using a Smart Object to freeze adjustment layers
• Using filters and blend modes with Smart Objects
• Stacking layers and using stack modes
• Using a smart object as an adjustment layer
• Exporting and editing Smart Objects

Conclusion

• Next steps