Understanding Photoshop Layers

Understanding Photoshop layers is one of the essential parts of photo editing. So, what is, “Layers in Photoshop definition? Photoshop layers are similar to transparent pages. Whatever you do in the layers, effects on the image altogether. So, the pages we use while image editing are the Photoshop layers. The basic one is the background layer if you load an image for editing. But, if you create a new layer, you will see a blank layer. You can also call this Photoshop document. Every layer in the whole document plays an individual role in image editing. The Layers panel is visible by default. But, if you have not seen it, go to Windows>Layers or use function key 7 to make it visible. 

Have you seen creating cartoon story by hand? The artists use a huge number of pages and draw the characters one by one.
Then they cut out the characters from the paper and place them on a transparent sheet. When they start rolling the sheet with the characters,
they look moving. We are not talking about the moving images here. but, the concept is something like that.

Also, you can create a new layer and it will be transparent by default. You can apply color on this or make any changes if you want.
If you apply color, the whole layer you will see filled by that color. And, if you make a selection from one layer and copy to a new layer,
the selection will be seen on a transparent layer.

You may have a question in mind, “How to add a photo to a layer in Photoshop”?
The process is pretty simple. Select the layer in Photoshop where you want to add the image.
Go to your folder if you are using a Windows OS or use ‘Finder’ if you are on a MAC.
Click and drag the image over the Photoshop window. You will have the photo added to the layer.
You can also use a Photoshop layer mask but we will talk about it in another article.

When you create a layer and place it with other layers, it will affect the below ones.
Similarly, if you hide a layer, everything you did on this, will be hidden.
Also, there is an option called Clipping Mask that can limit the action on the below layer only.
Clipping Mask comes with some adjustment layers. Well, there is an option to add a clipping mask without the built-in option.
Press and hold Alt for Win or Option for MAC, place the cursor in between two layers and click.
With this, you can limit the activities of the upper layer with the lower layer only.

You will see an important button at the bottom part of the layer panel. The name is ‘Create new fill or adjustment layer’.
You can add an adjustment layer from the button according to your requirement. For the time being, we have not an option
to explain all in these small tips. But, you can find Photoshop layers tutorial pdf document on the web if you want to learn more.
And, learning the importance of layers in photoshop is a lot.