Applying adjustments

There are a range of adjustments which can be applied to your photo as a new layer for creative or corrective purposes.

Adjustments are applied to your image from the Adjustment panel and most include customizable settings alongside general adjustment options. Once applied, they can be identified as both an adjustment and a specific adjustment type by using unique symbols.

Adjustment layer type
Curves adjustment layer indicating it is an adjustment (A) and a Curves adjustment type (B).
Available adjustments:

Adjustment layers only affect layers which are below them. Alternatively, you can make an adjustment a child of a layer (or layer group), thereby affecting that layer (or layer group) only.

Some adjustments (i.e., Curves, Levels, or Channel Mixer) can be made in any color space independently of the document color space.

Settings

The following general settings are available from all adjustment dialogs:

To apply an adjustment:
  1. On the Adjustment panel, select an adjustment.
  2. Click one of the adjustment preset thumbnails.

    The adjustment is added directly above the selected layer, or at the top of the stack if no layer was selected.

  3. If a dialog appears for the adjustment, follow the steps below:
    1. Adjust the settings in the dialog.
    2. (Optional) Click Add Preset to make your custom settings available in step 2 for future sessions.
    3. Close the dialog.
To rename or delete a saved adjustment:
To view an applied adjustment's settings:
To reorder adjustment presets:
  1. On the Adjustment panel, select an adjustment.
  2. Drag an adjustment preset thumbnail to move it to a different position.
Adjustments To apply an adjustment from the Layers panel:
  1. On the Layers panel, select a layer.
  2. Click Adjustments and select an adjustment from the pop-up menu.

    The adjustment is added directly above the selected layer.

  3. If a dialog appears for the adjustment, follow the steps below:
    1. Adjust the settings in the dialog.
    2. Close the dialog.

SEE ALSO: