Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature

In 2008, Adobe Photoshop pro and best-selling author Matt Kloskowski broke new ground teaching Photoshop by focusing on the one thing that makes Photoshop the amazing (and sometimes difficult to understand) program it is: layers. Now, Matt returns with a major update that covers layers in Photoshop CS5 in the same concise, easy to understand way that’s made him so well known in the field of Photoshop training.

When asked about the original version of this book, Matt said, "I wanted it to be the Photoshop book that I wish was around when I was first learning." This update improves upon that concept. Within these pages, you’ll learn about:

• Working with and managing multiple layers in Photoshop CS5

• Building multiple-layer images
• Blending layers together
• Layer masking and just how easy it is
• Which of the 25+ layer blend modes you really need to know (there are just a few)
• Using layers to enhance and retouch your photos
• All of the tips and tricks that make using layers a breeze
• Plus, a new chapter on advanced layer techniques and compositing to help take your work to the next level

If you want to fully understand layers in Photoshop CS5, this book is the one you’ve been waiting for!

With Kloskowski's clear, easy-to-follow, and concise writing style readers will learn about: working with and managing multiple layers; building multiple layered images; blending layers together; using layers to enhance and retouch photos; and much more.

When Photoshop guru Matt Kloskowski was asked why he wrote this book, he replied, "It's simple: I wanted to write the Photoshop book that I wished was around when I was learning Photoshop". You've always known that layers were the key to understanding Photoshop, and now you have a resource to show you exactly how.

With Matt's clear, easy-to-follow, and concise writing style readers will learn about:

• Working with and managing multiple layers
• Building multiple layered images
• Blending layers together
• Exactly which of the 25+ Blend Modes you need to worry about (there's just a few)
• Layer Masking and just how easy it is
• Using layers to enhance and retouch your photos
• All of the tips and tricks that make using layers a breeze.

This book is the one that anyone who wants to finally understand layers in Photoshop has been waiting for!

Matt Kloskowski is the Education and Curriculum Developer for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, editor-in-chief of the Photoshop Elements Techniques newsletter, and (along with Scott Kelby and Dave Cross) co-host of Adobe Photoshop TV, the popular video podcast.

Working Table of Contents:

1. Layer Basics

2. Blending Layers

3. Adjustment Layers

4. Layer Mask Basics

5. Type and Shape Layers

6: Enhancing Photos With Layers

7: Retouching With Layers

8: Layer Styles

9: Smart Layers

Index