How to Use Color in Adobe Photoshop

Using the gradient overlay in Adobe Photoshop can have dramatic color effects on your photo or text. A gradient overlay is placed over your image and the opacity is lowered so the picture can be seen through the overlay. The gradient overlay can add results such as a dramatic splash of color or a slight color effect.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. Start Adobe Photoshop and open up an existing image from your files. Notice in the Layers palette that you have one layer named "Background."
2. Right-click on the "Background" layer in the Layers palette and select "Layer From Background…" from the pop-up menu. Name this layer, leaving all of the other settings to their defaults. You have to change the "Background" layer to an actual working layer before you can make any effect or color changes to it.
3. Right-click on your layer in the Layers palette and select "Blending Options" to bring up the "Layer Style" dialog box.
4. Click on "Gradient Overlay" on the left-hand side of the dialog box under to bring up the gradient overlay options.
5. Use the slider or type in a new percentage in the Opacity section to lower the opacity of your overlay until you can see your picture coming through the overlay.
6. Select a gradient by clicking on the Gradient drop-down menu, which will bring up the "Gradient Editor."
7. Select a gradient preset or design a custom gradient overlay to apply to your image. As you go through the presets and other settings, you will be able to preview the changes to your image.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't see the Layer's palette in your Adobe Photoshop workspace, select "Layers" from the "Windows" menu or press the F7 key on your keyboard.

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