If you ask any one that uses Adobe Photoshop to name the single most used feature in Photoshop the odds are that at least 95% of them will tell you layers. Without layers Photoshop would only be 10% the program it is today. In the earliest versions of Photoshop there were no layers, but layers were badly needed and so they were quickly added. Over the years layers in Photoshop have not only become more flexible and powerful thanks to the additions of opacity controls for each layer, layer blending modes, being able to lock layer transparency and more. But, they have become much more the creative tool thanks to layer masks, clipping masks, layer styles, adjustment layers, layer grouping, etc.

Outside of a few image adjustment commands layers are the meat and potatoes of Adobe Photoshop and if you want to get the most out of layers and Photoshop then you need to understand how to use them and how to use the other layer related tools now available in Photoshop. To learn about layers I recommend the Focal Press “The Adobe Photoshop Layer Book”, this well written and informative book covers it all.

This books covers up to Photoshop CS3 and is loaded with great information. One section of the book that I really liked was Chapter 7 the Advanced Blending with Blend If. I have always wanted to know more about this feature and now thanks to this book I do.

The book is easy to read, easy to understand and is loaded with lots of full color sample shots so that you can visually see what the author is talking about. This is an excellent book that makes this very powerful and important Photoshop feature easy to understand and more importantly easy to get the most from. Included with the book is a CD with practice images and more.

Chapters:

Chapter 1: The Basics of Layers
Chapter 2: Layer Management
Chapter 3: Object and Image Area Isolation in Layers
Chapter 4: Masking
Chapter 5: Applying Layer Effects
Chapter 6: Exploring Layer Modes
Chapter 7: Advanced Blending with Blend If
Chapter 8: Breaking Out Components
Chapter 9: Taking and Image through the Process
Chapter 10: Making a Layered Collage or Composite Image