Tutorial Two: Layer Basics

Madam Lydia taught us some layering basics in Adobe Photoshop in Tutorial 2. Let's begin!

The very first task for this week’s tutorial is to add an image of the beach to the postcard. Before adding the beach image to the postcard, rename Layer 1 with Beach. Later, drag the beach image to the tutorial2.psd by using the Move tool. Before dragging, make sure the Beach layer is selected which indicates that the layer is active.

 Now, we’re going to add a border around the Beach layer. To do that, make sure the Beach layer is selected. Also, hide all layers except the Beach layer. You can do so by pressing the Alt key as you click the ‘eye’ icon next to the Beach layer.

 Choose the Layer --> Layer Style --> Stroke. When the Layer Style dialog opens, specify the following settings according to your liking and simply click OK.

 Next, we’re going to rearrange the layers. First we’re going to make all layers visible. Then, drag the Beach layer so that it is positioned between the Pineapple and Flowers layers.

 Then, we will change the opacity of the Postage layer. This can be done by varying the Opacity box in the Layers window. Change the opacity to 25%.

 Next, we will see how changing the blending mode will do wonders in enhancing your image. With only the Pineapple layer visible, duplicate the layer by right-clicking it and choose the Duplicate layer. Click OK when the Duplicate Layer dialog box appears and new layer ‘Pineapple copy’ will appear above the Pineapple layer. At the Pineapple copy layer, choose Overlay from the Blending Modes menu.

 Repeat the same process and apply it to the Postage layer but use the Multiply blending mode this time.

The next part of the tutorial is to resize and rotate the Beach image. This can be done by following these simple steps. Before that, make the Beach layer visible.

 Press Shift as you resize the Beach image about 50% smaller from the original size. To rotate the image, enter 15 in the Set Rotation box in the options bar.

 Now make the Flower layer visible and adjust the images neatly. Next, we’re going to add sky clouds as the background of the whole artwork. We can do that by creating a new layer. With the Background layer selected, click the New Layer button at the bottom part of the Layers window. Name the layer as Clouds.

 In the Tools window, change the Foreground Colour to a sky blue colour and click OK. Then, follow these next few steps.

 Now, we’re going to add some text just below the HAWAII text by following these steps.

 Next, we will apply some gradient effect onto the HAWAII text just by following these steps.

 Lastly, after playing around with some of tools to the other layers this is my final outcome :D

Thank you Thank you!