Easy Photoshop Elements

Example of a Multilayered Photoshop (.PSD) File

Working on multiple layers is an intermediate-level technique that makes it much easier to create and manipulate complex, composite pictures.

Here's one of the multilayered PSDs that was used as an example in the book. The actual file contains 11 layers, permitting selective control over individual objects, such as shapes and type, as well as over attributes, such as brightness and fill effects.

Thanks to Kenneth H. Goldman for providing the source photos. He took the telephoto shot of the Arc de Triomphe from the platform of the Eiffel Tower, and he constructed and photographed the scale model of the antique triplane. You can visit Ken and see more of his photos and original sculpture at www.walruscarpenter.com. (Source photos © 2003 Kenneth H. Goldman. Composite artwork © 2004 La Puerta Productions.)


The background is a cropped version of Ken's telephoto shot of the Arc.	This view combines the background with an adjustment layer that reduces both Hue and Saturation.

A third layer, a Color Fill, was added to give the snowstorm effect.	One more adjustment layer dims the whole scene so it doesn't overwhelm the graphic overlays.

The type overlays are contained on two separate type layers with Drop Shadow layer effects.	Residing on its own layer, the plane was cut out of its original digital photo, and a Drop Shadow was added to match the effect used on the type.

Three more object layers add the banner (a Brush stroke with shadow), the prop blur (a semi-transparent ellipse), the talk bubble (also with drop shadow), and the speech caption.	The composite image contains 11 layers. Click on the thumbnail above or here to see it in its full postcard size.

Vacation at "The Roost" in Sedona, Arizona

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