I was reading some of my photography books this morning and specifically about filters and filter systems. Cokin is what this author was recommending. What I noticed was that most, not all, but most of these filters can be applied in Photoshop in one way or another. Now obviously things like Polarizing filters actually change the data captured by the film or digital cameras. However the warming filters and even some of the ND filters can be simulated in Photoshop in one way or another. The problem I have is that sometimes I want to apply a certain filtering effect then do other filters or adjustments after that. Then I may want to see what it would look like without the say, warming effect. If this were a layer then I could just deselect the viewing of the layer, but as a filter I would have to delete that effect then reapply it if I wanted to ?turn it back on?. My question is actually three parts. 1) Does anyone know if there are layer type filters out there anywhere? 2) And if not, would anyone else find these types of preset layers useful? 3) Lastly, if you would find them useful, does anyone know where I could find specifications on these filters so I could simulate them as closely as possible in Photoshop? Thanks in advance! Magick Michael aka zhounder

Attached Link: http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/channelmixer/channelmixer.html

It may also be worthwhile posting this in the Photoshop Forum. [I think] the Adjustment Layers feature in PSv6 or 7 is exactly what you are looking for for experimenting and un-doing. I mostly use PS5, and am (slowly) learning what more things version 7 is capable of. There are a bunch of links available; here are a few: http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/channelmixer/channelmixer.html http://www.computer-darkroom.com/tutorials/tutorial_3_1.htm http://www.phong.com/tutorials/adjust/ http://www.nebulus.org/tutorials/2d/photoshop/ps6/ http://adobedoc.kanisasolution.com/Photoshop6/Help.htm http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/adjlay/adjlay.htm Michelle pointed out the first link a while ago, which has some free filters for simulating B&W film. These are also useable in PS5, however having the adjustment layers makes it nicer. These work quite nicely. There are also some commercial products available. I'm sure the mods would appreciate someone doing a short tutorial, or at least a catalog of links...

Hey, Misha. Do you mind sending links to starshuffler@renderosity.com? These links have a tendency to get lost in the forum so I'd rather have them in my inbox :-) Also, for those who want to have links posted in the RC, there are instructions there on which information to send, along with the URL. THANKS GOOD PEOPLE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY FORUM!!! (*

thanx Misha for the links!! :) So much to learn & so little time sigh

Misha is right on this... In PS 6&7 you have adjustment layers. These can be found under the layer menu as New Adjustment Layer. Basically, these are the same filters as you would find under Edit/Adjust. The difference is that they create there own layer which applies the effect to the layer below without duplicating the layer.

Many traditional camera filters can be simulated this way, and by adding several of these layers you can mix and match to get the effect you are after. The other beauty of using adjustment layers is that they remain editable until you flatten the image. For example, if you had two adjustment layers (one for Curves and one for Hue/Saturation) you can go back and forth between them to tweak their properties until you have the end result you are after.

You can also use these adjustment layers on individual channels. Subsequently they are very useful, and are worth taking the time to really learn. I can honestly say that I have been using this technique for a long time now, and I am not sure what I would do without it.

One last thing... If you come across a combination that you really like, and/or is really useful, you can always record it as an action and save it for later use.