To change the saturation of just one specific layer in Photoshop without affecting other layers, the most effective and non-destructive method is to use a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer clipped to that layer.
Steps to Change Saturation for a Single Layer
Using an adjustment layer offers flexibility, allowing you to easily edit the saturation later or even remove the adjustment entirely. Follow these steps:
- Select the Target Layer: In the Layers panel, click on the specific layer whose saturation you want to change. According to the reference, the first thing you need to do is select the one layer that you want to change the Hue and Saturation.
- Create a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer: At the bottom of the Layers panel, click on the 'Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer' icon (it looks like a half-filled circle). From the list that appears, select Hue/Saturation. This aligns with step 2 and 3 of the provided reference.
- Clip the Adjustment Layer: This is the crucial step to ensure the adjustment only affects the layer directly below it.
- Hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (macOS) and hover your mouse cursor over the line dividing the new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and the layer below it (the layer you selected in step 1). The cursor will change into a down-pointing arrow within a square. Click once.
- Alternatively, you can right-click on the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer in the Layers panel and select Create Clipping Mask.
- You will see a small downward arrow on the Hue/Saturation layer icon in the Layers panel, indicating it is clipped.
- Adjust Saturation: The Properties panel will automatically open for the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.
- Locate the Saturation slider.
- Drag the slider to the left to decrease saturation (desaturate) or to the right to increase saturation.
- Observe the changes on your selected layer in the canvas.
- Refine or Close: Once you are happy with the saturation level, you can close the Properties panel. You can reopen it anytime by double-clicking the Hue/Saturation layer thumbnail in the Layers panel.
By clipping the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, you restrict its effect solely to the layer it's clipped to, achieving the goal of changing the saturation of "one layer".
Why Use an Adjustment Layer?
- Non-Destructive: Your original layer remains unchanged. You can always adjust or remove the saturation effect.
- Flexibility: Easily modify the saturation level at any time.
- Targeted: When clipped, it precisely targets the desired layer.
This method ensures you have full control over which part of your image is affected by the saturation change, focusing the adjustment specifically on the single layer you intended.
