In Summary

There's more to selecting an image than defining an area with your selection tools. Before you get busy with your Magic Wand or Lassos, take a moment to evaluate the image and whether or not the selections you need are already thereimplied by the color and tonal values of the image. Moreover, Curves and Hue/Saturation when applied as adjustment layers allow you to edit specific tones or colors without fear of damaging your original image. Throw in adjustment layer masks to restrict the effect of the adjustment layer and you have total control. And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg with adjustment layers. Try experimenting with Photo Filter to change the mood or to color correct your image. As we saw in the "Converting to Custom Grayscale" section of Chapter 2, Channel Mixer can be used to create custom grayscale images from color photos. Use Posterize in combination with layer mask to achieve Andy Warhollike treatments of your image (great for handmade birthday cards). The key is that all your changes are reversibleturn off the adjustment layers and your original image is intact. With all this talk of nondestructive editing and the benefits of not being locked into a particular course of action you might think me a commitment-phobe. While you wouldn't be this first to call me this, a nondestructive workflow (of which adjustment layers form an essential part) is about far more than putting off or avoiding important decisions about your images. It's about maximizing your options, your creative freedom, and just making life easier.