The Photoshop Toolbox: Essential Techniques for Mastering Layer Masks, Brushes, and Blend Modes

by Glyn Dewis

In The Photoshop Toolbox , photographer and bestselling author Glyn Dewis breaks down Photoshop into just three main layer masks, brushes, and blend modes. Written specifically for photographers with little knowledge of Photoshop, this book breaks down the how, what, and why of Photoshop basics. Adobe Photoshop is one of the most powerful image-editing applications ever created, but it is also widely thought to be difficult to learn, infinite in scope, and nearly impossible to master. For these reasons, many photographers choose to stay exclusively with Lightroom for all their photography needs. But for those photographers who subscribe to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan—which includes both Lightroom and Photoshop—to leave Photoshop unopened and unexplored is to deny yourself the ability to take your creativity and expression to a whole new level. In The Photoshop Toolbox , photographer and bestselling author Glyn Dewis breaks down Photoshop into just three main layer masks, brushes, and blend modes. Glyn has taught thousands online, in person, and through his bestselling books The Photoshop Workbook and Photograph Like a Thief . Over and over, he has recognized that once a user truly understands these three tools, there is nothing holding them back from achieving whatever they want to accomplish in Photoshop. With Glyn explaining not only the “what” but also the “why” behind layer masks, brushes, and blend modes, you’re empowered to think beyond each specific example and to ask that all-powerful question, “What would happen if I used that technique on this other image?” Written expressly for photographers with little knowledge of Photoshop, in The Photoshop Toolbox you’ll Photoshop xplore Photoshop’s Workspace, Tool Bar, Options Bar, Properties, and Layers Layer earn the basics of layer masks, as well as specific techniques that incorporate cutouts, removing halos, Content Aware Fill, Look Up Tables (LUTs), and more rushes are useful for everything from cutouts to creating special effects like snow, debris, grass, and even your own signature Blend se blend modes for tricky selections, brightening and darkening an image, and tidying up a layer mask Additional tips, tricks, and lyn devotes an entire chapter to “extra” techniques such as removing reddening skin, creating smoke, matching color, and building depth in your image with contrast, light, and sharpness Finally, in the last chapter of the book, Glyn brings it all together with a start-to-finish project concentrating on photo retouching skills.

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2018

Reviews

[Dana Pride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives so many techniques for improving and stylizing photos, along with the basics of using Photoshop toolbars, properties and layers. The author gives a very logical explanation of the 27 blend modes by describing the groups where each resides, as well as detailed instructions on layer mask techniques. Do you want to make your own brushes? Easy steps to do so!

Besides bonus materials in the final chapter (such as how to give your photos the feel of your favorite movie) Glyn Dewis shares a link to download his practice files.

I read straight through the book the first time, marking techniques I want to use on my own photos, and I will keep the book handy as a reference, near my computer. These are definitely tools I will use!

[Aarif Qureshi]

Good