Photoshop elements 12 using layers to edit a photo

Question

I am having trouble figuring out how to use layers to edit digital photographs. Based on the online tutorials I've viewed, I'm under the impression that in order to edit parts of a photograph without affecting the original background image, I am supposed to create a layer for each set of edits I want to make and then merge these layers together to form a complete edited image with all the touch ups I want to make. I am also under the impression that any edits I make to the layers I create should not be showing up in the original background image, otherwise I have no way of comparing the original to the edited parts of the image to see if everything looks the way I want. Is there any way to make edits to image layers without these changes showing up in the original image and if so, how do I do it? Thanks ahead of time for your help.
Anthony

Answer 1

I suggest you select Help> Key Concepts and read up on Layers.
The simplest way to preserve your original image is to either save a copy and work on that, or duplicate the background layer and work on the duplicate plus other layers you stack on top. Then the quickest way to view original v edited is to Alt-Click on the eye symbol of the background layer - this will turn off all the other layers. Alt-Click the eye again to turn them all back on.
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children
If this post or another user's post resolves the original issue, please mark the posts as correct and/or helpful accordingly. This helps other users with similar trouble get answers to their questions quicker. Thanks.