Layers....can You Help Me Understand?

Layers are made so that you only need work on a specific area of a photo.
They also help to keep the files sizes down. Imagine that you need to work
on the background - brighten it or darken it, saturate or colorize it - if you form
a new layer by selecting background only, then you can leave the foreground
element(s) untouched. And vice versa - you might want to change the
foreground elements and leave the background untouched.

So imagine a stack of layers - you are looking thru them (in Photoshop at
least) from the top down. The bottom most layer (as it is in PS)
is the complete picture - and all other layers will be areas of the complete
(as in background area or foreground area or face/head or whatever ...!)

So each successive layer is a specialised or selected area of the whole,
the complete picture. Photoshop maps all these unique selected areas
back to the original picture located at the bottom of the stack. The upper
layers 'float' above the original, and because these upper layers are
mapped to the original, when flattened, they all fall back into place as
a modified version of the original. i.e. with all the changes you added.

Transparency is a large part of how layers are made up - but unless
you need to work in GIF format (and their massive file-sizes), each
layer is a proprietary format (given the software you are using). I know
that in Photoshop, you can convert each individual layer into multiple,
varying formats (including GIF).

Jack has explained it well. Layers can also be used to blend different images. For example, you can add a texture layer and blend it with the background in many different ways (blend modes such as lighten, darken, screen, multiply, soft light, hard light etc.) to achieve a great variety of effects. You can do the same with a bunch of images, stacking one on top of the other. You can also use layers for straight collages: lay one image on top of another, brush out any unwanted bits, then merge layer and background.

The image below for example consists of two cloud photographs, a watercolor background, a paper texture and a cracked wall paint texture.


This one was just a photograph of plumage, duplicated, top layer rotated 180 degrees, and then a blend mode applied (can't remember which one) plus some adjustments (hue, saturation etc.).


Photoshop also lets you add adjustment layers, which are a non-destructive way of making adjustments to your image.

Layers are immensely useful and great fun too to play around with. There are lots of good video tuts on youtube on how to work/play with them.

Layering can get pretty complicated or you can keep it really simple, I always likes this photograph but the grass was anything but interesting, It was a basic mowed lawn! So I dragged in a photo into Topaz Studio from a photograph I took in the Everglades and dragged it on top of the lion photograph,(or vice versa) I then used the mask tool just to add that element to the lion photo,That tool allows you to adjust the opacity and transparency,

Sometimes I add 3 or more layers, Sometimes I may like a photo but there may be.a distracting element within it, ,https://judith-smith.pixels.com/featured/ibis-among-the-milkweed-judy-kay.html (In this photo the left side had a concrete walkway, I eliminated it by duplicating the photo, flipping it, layering the photo and then masking out the concrete walkway,
I have added elements from my paintings into a photograph using the mask tool and layering,Here is an example link: https://judith-smith.pixels.com/featured/garden-sunbath-judy-kay.html
Topaz Studio has some tutorials if you have the patience to watch, Layering can really be fun
Oh, and here is a photo I took a couple of years ago that I almost trashed, I love the composition but the egret was standing on a very unattractive walkway . I once again duplicated the photo, flipped its then layered the photo on top of each other and just masked out the distracting walkway, I was thrilled, (Part of its tail feathers were on top of the walkway so I used the clone tool to reduplicate just the part that was cut off, I could have used the repair tool but there was just too much to repair and that tool can be destructive if the element is too large,

Rose, GIF's? do you mean transparent PNG files?

I also use layering if I want to add a texture overlay to an image. When the texture is layered on top of the original image then you have many choices of blending modes and selecting the transparency of the layer so it can be heavier or more subtle. It is a learning process and takes a lot of experimentation. I have Photoshop Elements.

Layer 1 the background (for example)
layer 2 The background at burn opacity

totally different image :-)

layer 1 clouds
layer 2 the rest

colour the clouds

layer 1 green
layer 2 portrait cut out
flatten

Image now is a portrait on green background

PNG images have the transparent background but obviously you cannot have transparency as a preview image so when you load it you must save that PNG for the top image (prints) to a JPG. On products it will be transparent.

You then scroll down the page and customise the other products with your transparent image

To create, remove the background in your photo editor. You then EXPORT the image retaining transparency. You cannot do this on a mobile device.

To use templates

Templates are for creating sized images to fit on the products
If your images do not work well as-is when you load them, you can create customised images ready to add to the work

1. Create the customised image in your editor by adding the template then, in a new layer, add your image. Move, crop, manipulate the image where it fits on the template to get the look you want. Delete template or hide (tick the eye to hide it). Save as jpg, or if transparent background, export as transparent png
2. Upload or edit your main print image
3. Scroll down to the product areas
4. See Customise and Image
5. Click image to load your customised image shaped for the product
6. SUBMIT

APPAREL https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/clothing-20?v=1234
BATTERY CHARGER https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/battery-5200?v=1234
BEACH TOWEL https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/beachtowel-32-64?v=1234
COFFEE MUG https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/coffeemug-11?v=1234
DUVET COVER https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/duvetcover-queen?v=1234
FLEECE BLANKET https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/blanket-coral-50-60?v=1234
PHONE COVER https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/iphone7?v=1234
POUCH https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/pouch-regularbottom-medium?v=12341234
ROUND TOWEL https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/beachtowelround?v=1234
SHOWER CURTAIN https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/showercurtain?v=1234
SPIRAL NOTEBOOK https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/spiralnotebook?v=1234
TAPESTRY https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/tapestry-50-61?v=1234
THROW PILLOW https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/throwpillow-14-14?v=1234
TOTE BAG https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/totebag-18-18?v=1234
WEEKENDER BAG https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/totebagweekender-24-16-white?v=1234
YOGA MAT https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/product-template/yogamat?v=1234

a layer is a slice of a sandwich.

think about a sandwich, you have bread on the bottom. followed by a touch of mustard, some ham, some turkey, some salami, a tomato, lettuce, mayo, bread again, toothpick, olive.

each piece is a layer. and the order matters. if i didn't want the mayo, i would remove the mayo layer. maybe i wanted the salami on the bottom, i would move the layer under the ham. i wanted toasted bread, i would choose the bread layers and darken them.

the layer order makes a difference, you might want an overlay layer to brighten things up. these are called non destructive layers, it doesn't hurt the original layer, you can add to things and remove things. add transparencies over the original. you can have the original as the background, make a copy that you can edit, and still have the original in case you mess up.

some layers are hidden, like when i colorize, i have an object layer that i later on erase, the rest are color layers which i can then adjust as i want. i may have a selective color layer where i can adjust the colors as i need to.

if you do digital art, you would have groups, its to keep everything neater. so all the layers of the sandwich go into a group. other groups may have other parts of my meal, the milk layer, that has - a glass, milk, a tint of brown because its chocolate, and that's grouped up. and so on. from there i can move the groups around so i can have things in front of or behind other things.

if you work with a lot of layers its a good idea to color them and label them.

----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Layers can come from multiple copies (layers) of the same image, e.g., if I want to make the trees greener on one layer, make the sky bluer on another, have the rest of the image stay as it is, and have the final product look like it started out that way. It can run the range from overcoming the shortcomings of cameras to making completely original images when you add things that are not in an original by adding a layer that has its own content.

Funny - I use layers and masks all the time, and it is difficult to explain. I think however that you really need to think of layers and masks at the same time.
A layer is like they explained above, it is an image, and you can put multiple layers with different images into the file. One on top of the other.

This is where masks come in. You put a mask on a layer and mask out (block out) the part of that layer that you do not want to see. That makes that part of that layer invisible, so what you see is what is exposed in the next layer down. You can also change the mask opacity, so only a percent of that layer is blocked, and you will see a blend of the two layers in the final image.

Assume you have two layers, both the same image with sky and ground in it. If you put a mask on the sky on the top layer, your final image will show the ground from the top layer and the sky from the bottom layer. This is how you make changes on each layer and decide what you want to see in the final image.

I am not sure if this is helpful, but it is the best I can do!

 

Straightforward, with image references/examples : Layers (digital image editing)_Wikipedia

Further, as a personal explanation -- think of layers as individual transparencies made of clear glass, or cellophane. You'll ace it.   

You love fractals -- wait'll you start layering them....

Wow, thank you everybody! That is a lot to take in and digest....and yes, oops, I meant transparent PNGs (not GIFS)....I think I understand this all a bit better and will have to experiment.... How do you select just the background? If I understand correctly "merging layers" is much different then "copy and pasting" one image onto another?

I think I will have to watch some tutorials, and read the PDF file that Jack so sweetly offered me. I do love to learn new things and just have to get busy learning this!

Thanks again for all your help, suggestions and examples...I will re-read all you wrote! God bless.

there are probably hundreds of ways to remove backgrounds, from simply lasso and pen grabs. to more complex methods using special brushes, apps, tools, contrast etc. its best to shoot a thing on a plain background so you can just grab it like that.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

The best analogy I've read is picturing one of those science or medical books that has transparent pages, each with say, an organ painted on it in the corresponding position so that when the page is turned it lays on top of the the outline of a human body. Each organ or body part while on a separate page is combined one at a time to fill the outline of the human body as the corresponding pages are turned.

Now imagen this being done via Photoshop or other software... The "layers" represent the individual transparent pages, each with an element being added to the underlying subject. A big advantage in this is being able to manipulate, or even delete a layer without having to be concerned with interfering with the rest of the image. After all the work is done, you can merge everything into just one layer if you wish and that will be your final image to save.

To me, layers are great when you want to try something without screwing up what you already have done. .

Oh! , if it was possible for traditional art

Think of layers like layers in a layer cake. The editor will have a canvas that you view which is like looking down on top of the layer cake. All the layers will have an object that you can visually see or not see depending on what you want to do with the layer.

You can add separately objects like five single different flowers, each on a layer to make a flower wreath. As you add each flower which is on a layer you can view each layer on your canvas as if looking down from the top of the layer cake. As you add a layer you can see all of the layers you have added. You can choose to see the layer or hide it. You will also be able to move each flower on the layer to make a complete circle for the wreath using all the flower layers.

On the side of the screen there will be a grid that shows each layer. That grid is where you can click on a symbol (usually an eye) on each layer that will show or hide each layer. You can also open or close each layer to varying degrees so that it is at 100% opaque or close the layer incrementally so that the layer image begins to fade. You can also name each layer so you know which object is on which layer.

There are other things you can do like merge layers so that two or more layers become one layer. Hopefully I have explained the basics so you understand generally how a layers editor works.

Think of layers like layers in a layer cake. The editor will have a canvas that you view which is like looking down on top of the layer cake with all the layers below. Each layer can have an object that you can visually see or not see depending on what you want to do with the layer.

You can add separate objects like five single different flowers, each on a layer to make a flower wreath. As you add each flower which is on a layer you can view each layer on your canvas as if looking down from the top of the layer cake. As you add a layer you can see all of the layers you have added. You can choose to see the layer or hide it. You will also be able to move each flower on the layer to make a complete circle for the wreath using all the flowers on their respective layers.

On the side of the screen there will be a grid that shows each layer. That grid is where you can click on a symbol (usually an eye) which is on each layer that will show or hide that particular layer. You can also open or close each layer to varying degrees so that it is at 100% opaque or close the layer incrementally so the layer image begins to fade. There is a slider that you can move for different levels of opaqueness. When you want to work on the layer you click on the layer and use the appropriate tool like the move tool to move your object on the layer or change the object on the layer in many different ways by using the appropriate tool. You can also name each layer so you easily see by looking at the grid which object is on which layer.

There are other things you can do like merge layers so that two or more layers become one layer. Hopefully I have explained the basics so you understand generally how a layers editor works.

You are all so great! Thanks again!