1. PSE Special Session Topics to be covered Specials Tips and Tricks
More simple use of layers by erasing the effect on the higher layer
Fixing Converging Verticals: Distort/transform for converging verticals and straightening things
Portraits: Smoothing Facial Features
Changing Backgrounds: Simplified Approach

2. Special Tips and Tricks More Simple Use of Layers
Space bar at any time allows you to Pan the image
Bracket Keys: control Cursor or Brush size
Left/Right Arrow keys: controls any drop down slider
“Arrange” icon: centers single image or displays multiple open images
Hide selection ants: CTL+H, Restore selection ants: CTL+H. Remember this does not deselect as does Select/Deselect
Select/Feather: enter strength of feathering
Select/Refine Edge: set smoothness, feathering, and expand or contract the selection
Remove selection: Select/Deselect
Ctl+J: Copies a selection to its own layer (same as copy/paste)
Save selection: save a selection in order to Re-Select when needed. Selection/Save Selection then Select/Load Selection
Reset Tools: remember to reset tools periodically
Opacity: Layer Opacity and certain tools have an Opacity property
To select multiple areas: use shift key or click the “Add To” property of the Selection Tool
Ctl+Alt+Shift+E (for MAC: Cmd+Option+Shift+E): generales a composite Layer - integrates layer edits into a single layer for simplification but preserves the edit layer info
Remember to set “Zoom with Scroll Wheel” in Edit/Preferences/General
When using the Magnifying Glass to zoom in or out, use right click to “Fit On Screen”
Distort/transform, to move bounding box on both sides: Alt+Ctl+shift
X key: Flips Foreground/Background colors in color swatch squares
File place, place in selected area
More Simple Use of Layers
This approach somewhat violates the rule of preserving the base background layer
Basic Approach
Duplicate the Background layer (ie. create a Background Copy)
Turn off the Background Copy
Edit Background layer: blur, sharpen, levels, Hue/saturation, color, etc.
Turn on the Background Copy
Erase on the background copy where you desire the Edit effect to show
This approach is simpler then the detail contained in the
other appendices which preserves the background layer and uses the “Create Clipping Mask”

3. Fixing Converging Verticals
The idea here is to straighten verticals when shooting tall objects from the ground
Folder: Perspective
Open image and duplicate background
Image/Transform/Distort
Drag upper corners on each side to straighten either side of the image
Control + alt + shift will move left and right boundaries simultaneously
Get rid of annoyances near the ground, by dragging the center toggle
at the bottom of the bounding box downward
While we are here, practice enhancing the sky for this cathedral.
Portraits: Smoothing Facial Features
Duplicate background layer
Momentarily turn off background copy (new layer) and select Background (base) layer
Select Filter/Blur/Gaussian blur (radius between 3-7, based on skin severity)
Now, turn on the duplicated Background Copy layer (note blurness disappears)
Select the Eraser tool, with 50% opacity
Select a brush size about eye pupil size or what ever
On the Background Copy layer (upper layer), erase portions of this layer
where you desire smooth facial features (allows the effect created in the bottom layer to come through
Flatten layers and save
Remember this technique can be used for any desired enhancement Such as exposure, levels, color, etc. by editing the bottom Background (base) layer

4. create and rename the layer if desired
Changing Backgrounds: Simplified Approach
Open up your image, and double-click on the background to change to Layer
create and rename the layer if desired
Select your object as desired, with the proper feathering and inverse if required
Edit/cut
Create additional space around image if desired
Resize Canvas: use inches, %, or whatever
Use the Move tool to position and or orient the object
Create new blank layer: Layer/New/Layer. Name it if you wish
Drag new layer below the subject layer
Select desired background color in foreground swatch,
use eyedropper if you desire to sample an existing color
(Make sure the blank layer is selected, select Paint Bucket tool and click on image
Add interest to the background by using the Gradient tool
Create new blank layer: Layer/New/Layer
Select Black to foreground in color swatch
Select Gradient tool, use linear “Foreground to Transparent” (top role, 2nd box)
Drag out a line where you desire the effect to start (bottom and/or top)
Adjust layer opacity
You can add to the gradient effect where needed with the Brush tool
Try other gradient Options in the gradient picker – create new blank layer first