INTRODUCTION
Fill/Adjustment Layers allow you to change the appearance of a picture without changing the picture itself.  In this lesson we will use a scene which is available HERE.

COPY THE IMAGE ONTO THE DESKTOP
While viewing the image, click the Restore icon (upper right of browser) and resize and move the browser so that you can view the image and a blank area of the Desktop.  Click the image and drag it onto a blank spot on the Desktop.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND PASTE THE IMAGE
Click (or double click) the Photoshop Elements icon on the Desktop.  If the Welcome screen is visible, close it.  Open the Layers palette.  Click the image file (on the Desktop) and drag onto the Photoshop Elements work area.  Click Ctrl + 0 (the zero key) to maximize the image.

CREATE NEW FILL OR ADJUSTMENT LAYER
For all steps below, we will click the “Create new fill or adjustment layer” button (black and white half circles located on the Layers palette).  After adjusting each layer click OK.  Next, close all eyes except Background.

LEVELS
Select Levels and move the sliders.  Notice that you have RGB, Red, Green and Blue Channels.  For this image, use first Red, then Green, then Blue and finally RGB.  The Input diamonds at each end should be moved to just touch the levels data map.  With RGB selected, move the center diamond for best final results.  Move the Output diamonds in-out and return.

BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST
Select Brightness/Contrast.  Move the Brightness slider and the Contrast slider for best results.

HUE/SATURATION
Select Hue/Saturation.  Move the Hue and Saturation sliders to achieve a different effect.

GRADIENT MAP
Select Gradient Map.  Click the Gradient Picker (down arrow on right of Gradient picture), try the different gradients.  Pick the one you like best.

INVERT
Select Invert.

THRESHOLD
Select Threshold and move slider for best results.

POSTERIZE
Select Posterize and enter a number such as 4.

CONCLUSION
Always leave the Background layer’s eye on.  Turn off the Threshold eye.  Then turn on/off various combinations of the other eyes.  You will see the many effects that can be created using Fill/Adjustment layers.  And remember, none of the effects change the original image – only its appearance.

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