Master Adjustment Layers in Affinity Photo from Udemy

Adjustment Layers are the bread & butter of Affinity Photo. They allow you to edit the color & lighting of your images.

But with so many adjustments to choose from, it can be overwhelming to learn how they all work. So in this course, we will take a deep dive into all of Affinity Photo’s Adjustment Layers (all 23 of them. )

By the time you finish this course, you will know exactly how every adjustment works. But even more important than that, you will learn the pros & cons of each adjustment. That way, you will know exactly when & why you should use one adjustment over another.

For example, when should you use the Curves adjustment vs. the Levels adjustment? Or when should you use Color Balance vs. Selective Color? Vibrance vs. Saturation? Recolor vs. HSL? Or even Threshold vs. Posterize? These are the types of questions we will answer in the course, as we carefully review each of Affinity Photo's Adjustment Layers.

This course is easy enough for beginners to follow along, but in-depth enough that even the most experienced users will learn something new. So if you want to level up your Affinity skills, then please join me in the course. :)

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will learn how to use all 23 of affinity photo's adjustment layers
You will learn the strengths & weaknesses of each adjustment

You will learn when & why you should use one adjustment over another
You will learn practical applications for using adjustment layers

You will learn how to use all 23 of affinity photo's adjustment layers
You will learn the strengths & weaknesses of each adjustment
You will learn when & why you should use one adjustment over another
You will learn practical applications for using adjustment layers

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Welcome!

Download the Exercise Files

Laying the Groundwork

Right vs. Wrong Adjustments

RGB vs. CMY

The Big Two

HSL for Beginners

HSL Deep Dive

HSL - Advanced Application

Curves for Beginners

Curves for Light

Curves for Color

Practice Project

Lighting Adjustments

Levels

Does Ally Use Levels?

Brightness & Contrast

Does Ally Use Brightness & Contrast?

Shadows Highlights

Does Ally Use Shadows Highlights?

Exposure

Does Ally Use Exposure?

Color Adjustments

Color Balance

Does Ally Use Color Balance?

Selective Color

Does Ally Use Selective Color?

Gradient Map

Adjustment Presets

Does Ally Use Gradient Map?

Channel Mixer

Does Ally Use Channel Mixer?

Vibrance

Does Ally Use Vibrance?

Recolor

Does Ally Use Recolor?

Black & White

Does Ally Use Black & White?

White Balance

Does Ally Use White Balance?

Lens Filter

Does Ally Use Lens Filter?

Split Toning

Does Ally Use Split Toning?

Miscellaneous Adjustments

LUT

Does Ally Use LUT?

Soft Proof

Does Ally Use Soft Proof?

Threshold

Does Ally Use Threshold?

Posterize

Does Ally Use Posterize?

Invert

Does Ally Use Invert?

Normals

Does Ally Use Normals?

OCIO

Does Ally Use OCIO?

Course Conclusion

Ally's Favorite Adjustments

Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive overview of all 23 adjustment layers in Affinity Photo, which is essential for advanced photo editing and manipulation

Breaks down complex adjustments like Curves and HSL into beginner-friendly segments, which builds a strong foundation for more advanced techniques

Explores the pros and cons of each adjustment layer, which enables informed decision-making when editing and enhances creative control

Includes practice projects and real-world applications, which reinforces learning and helps users apply new skills to their own projects

Features sections that explore when and why to use specific adjustments, which helps users refine their workflow and achieve desired results efficiently

Includes sections titled 'Does Ally Use X?', which may indicate a focus on one particular user's workflow and preferences

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Master Adjustment Layers in Affinity Photo with these activities:

Review Color Theory Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of color theory to better grasp how adjustment layers manipulate color in Affinity Photo.

Browse courses on Color Theory

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Review the color wheel and its components.
Study color harmonies like complementary and analogous colors.
Practice identifying colors and their relationships in images.

Read 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson

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Gain a deeper understanding of exposure principles to make more informed decisions when using adjustment layers.

View Understanding Street Photography: An... on Amazon

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Read the book cover to cover, paying attention to the examples and illustrations.
Experiment with different exposure settings on your camera.
Apply your knowledge of exposure to your adjustment layer workflows.

Adjustment Layer Matching Game

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Reinforce your knowledge of adjustment layers by matching their functions to specific image editing tasks.

Show steps

Create a set of flashcards with adjustment layer names and descriptions.
Shuffle the cards and try to match the name to the correct description.
Repeat until you can confidently match all adjustment layers.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Adjustment Layer Cheat Sheet

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Synthesize your understanding of adjustment layers by creating a concise and informative cheat sheet for future reference.

Show steps

Summarize the function and best use cases for each adjustment layer.
Include key parameters and settings for each adjustment layer.
Organize the cheat sheet in a clear and easy-to-understand format.

Create a Before & After Series

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Apply your knowledge of adjustment layers to transform images and showcase your skills.

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Select a series of images with different editing needs.
Edit each image using adjustment layers to achieve a desired look.
Create before and after comparisons to highlight the impact of your edits.
Document the adjustment layers used and the reasoning behind your choices.

Read 'The Adobe Photoshop CC Book for Digital Photographers' by Scott Kelby

Show steps

Explore Photoshop-centric workflows to broaden your understanding of adjustment layer techniques.

View The Photoshop Elements 2020 Book for Digital... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters related to adjustment layers and color correction.
Adapt the Photoshop techniques to Affinity Photo.
Experiment with different workflows to find what works best for you.

Follow Advanced Retouching Tutorials

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Learn advanced techniques for using adjustment layers in portrait and beauty retouching.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on frequency separation and dodge & burn techniques.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, paying attention to the adjustment layers used.
Adapt the techniques to your own images and develop your own style.

Career center

Learners who complete Master Adjustment Layers in Affinity Photo will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Image Editor

An image editor manipulates photographs or other images to improve quality or convey a specific message. This work is very much aligned with mastering adjustment layers in Affinity Photo. This course explains each adjustment layer in detail, including how to apply them effectively given different use cases. Image editors need to make precise adjustments to light, color, and contrast, and this course's curriculum is designed to make sure students learn how to do exactly that. The course's discussion of when to apply specific adjustments also helps an image editor to make more informed choices during the process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Image Editor

Photo Retoucher

A photo retoucher enhances images to improve their visual appeal, often for commercial purposes. This role requires a fine understanding of color, lighting, and contrast, all of which are directly addressed in this Affinity Photo course. This course teaches the nuances of 23 different adjustment layers within Affinity Photo which provides a solid foundation for a photo retoucher to make precise edits. The in depth examination of tools, including the pros and cons, ensures a retoucher will be able to choose the best tool for every job. Knowing when to use Curves versus Levels, or Vibrance versus Saturation, are vital skills for any photo retoucher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photo Retoucher

Digital Artist

Digital artists create artwork using digital tools, often involving photo manipulation and compositing. This course introduces learners to Affinity Photo's adjustment layers, a pivotal skillset for any digital artist. By understanding how to effectively use layers to adjust color, light and contrast, and how they influence one another, a digital artist can create more impactful works. The course’s emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of each adjustment also allows the digital artist to make informed creative decisions. The practical applications of adjustment layers taught in this course can be directly applied to a digital artist's workflow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist

Graphic designer

A graphic designer creates visual concepts using computer software. This Affinity Photo course is relevant to graphic designers who often need to manipulate photos as part of their designs. Adjustment layers are a fundamental tool for any graphic designer who needs to adjust images and create certain effects. This course explores when and why to select one type of adjustment over another, giving the designer the ability to make subtle, yet important alterations to images. Choosing between Selective Color or Color Balance or using the various HSL options can refine the image in powerful ways.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Product Photographer

Product photographers require a strong grasp of image editing to showcase products effectively. This course is very helpful to anyone doing product photography as the course material explores Affinity Photo's adjustment layers, which is a core skill for any photographer. The course’s careful look at the pros and cons of different adjustment layers allows a product photographer to create images that accurately represent the product itself. The course’s practical approach also helps a product photographer achieve a high level of post processing. The photographer is also trained in choosing between similar adjustments, such as with Vibrance and Saturation, and this greatly helps in the workflow and refinement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Photographer

Fashion Photographer

Fashion photographers often need advanced image editing skills to create images that meet the demands of their clients. This course is useful for fashion photographers as adjustment layers are fundamental to the image editing process. This course walks through Affinity's 23 adjustment layers and emphasizes the strengths and weaknesses of each. This knowledge allows the photographer to make efficient and effective choices during post processing. The practical applications discussed in the course also ensures a solid understanding of how to handle challenges, such as adjusting for different light conditions or correcting color cast, which are very important for a fashion photographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial photographers capture images for various commercial purposes, often requiring post-processing. This Affinity Photo course provides essential knowledge and skills for a commercial photographer looking to quickly edit and enhance images. This course’s deep dive into adjustment layers shows the commercial photographer how to edit color and lighting, and how to make effective choices between adjustments. The practical application of these skills improves post processing workflow for the photographer. Understanding how to select the correct adjustment layers to solve precise challenges is a core skill this photographer should master.

See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Photographer

Freelance Editor

Freelance editors work on various projects, often including photo editing and manipulation. This course may be useful for a freelance editor who needs to adjust photos for clients. Understanding how all 23 of Affinity Photo's adjustment layers work is fundamental to a freelance editor’s success. This course emphasizes the strengths and weaknesses of each adjustment. The course’s focus on the practical applications of adjustment layers helps a freelance editor make informed and fast decisions in daily work. Knowing how to choose between Color Balance and Selective Color allows for precise client requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Editor

Content Creator

Content creators produce content for various platforms, often including visual materials. This course may be beneficial to a content creator who needs to edit and enhance images as part of their workflow. This course’s walk through of all 23 of Affinity Photo’s adjustment layers is a valuable asset for a content creator's workflow. This course emphasizes the pros and cons of each tool, which enables the content creator to select the correct adjustment for every challenge. The practical lens of this course ensures a content creator can apply the lessons directly to their workflow. The course's deep dive into color and lighting can lead to more engaging visuals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Illustrator

Illustrators create images for various purposes, often in a digital format. This course may be helpful for illustrators who use Affinity Photo as part of their workflow. The course reviews Affinity Photo's adjustment layers, which an illustrator may need to make subtle changes to lighting and color. This course emphasizes when and how to use different adjustments, including curves versus levels, and color balance versus selective color. This knowledge can be very helpful for the finishing work of illustrations. The course's practical applications will also help the illustrator to refine their illustrations and create higher quality visuals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Web Designer

Web designers work with visual elements for websites. This course may be useful for web designers who need to adjust images for their projects. This course about Affinity Photo adjustment layers can directly translate to a web designer's daily practice. Understanding how to adjust colors and lighting in images is a fundamental skill for any web designer. The course's approach allows a web designer to work with images and optimize them for web use. The course’s focus on when and why to choose one adjustment over another can greatly aid a web designer in the image editing process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Social Media Manager

Social media managers often work with visual content. This course may be helpful for social media managers looking to have greater control over image quality. The adjustment layers taught in this Affinity Photo course provide social media managers with the knowledge to adjust and improve photos for various platforms. The course will also help a social media manager understand the tools and when to use them for the best results. The course’s practical focus allows the social media manager to create higher quality images that align with each type of post.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist often works with visuals for marketing campaigns. This course may be useful to a specialist who is in need of better skills for adjusting colors and lighting in images. The adjustment layers taught in this Affinity Photo course can directly improve the visuals a marketing specialist works with. Understanding how to use these tools and adjust color for promotional materials is very beneficial in this role. The course’s discussion of when and why to choose one adjustment over another allows a marketing specialist to refine images and create impactful visuals.

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Fine Artist

Fine artists create art for aesthetic purposes. This course may be helpful to fine artists who either work in the digital space, or want to use digital tools to refine their work. This course examines the 23 adjustment layers in Affinity Photo. By emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of the various adjustments, as well as when and how to apply them, the fine artist can improve existing art pieces or create new ones. The course's detailed approach to color and lighting can lead to striking visuals. This course can help a fine artist add a modern approach to their art.

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Video Editor

Video editors assemble and edit video footage. This course may be helpful to a video editor who uses Affinity Photo to modify images or frames. This course focuses on Affinity Photo’s adjustment layers, which can help video editors refine images or stills used in video production. Understanding when and why to use certain adjustments over others can directly improve video quality. The course's emphasis on making specific adjustments can aid the video editor when precision is needed to maintain consistency in color and lighting throughout a video project.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Editor

Master Adjustment Layers in Affinity Photo

What's inside

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