To be properly guided you can view rubylith by toggling "|" key or going on channels palette onto layer mask channel. Click eye on and off. For beginners, rubylith will teach you right thing to do. To bring back your original pixels on layer mask, select white but you can use any level of grey in between.

To practice with blending images, what you are advised to do is take a picture of a subject and drag it over to different backgrounds like sunset, beach or other significant backgrounds. Make a good layer mask to cover rough edges and put blending mode on screen, lighten or overlay. You can use layer masking if you did not make selections beforehand. You can also use star gradient tool to create starburst effect.

Open your mind to other possibilities and enjoy blending power of Photoshop!

There are vocational courses or graphic design schools that can teach you proper way of using colors, layout, designs and industry’s top secrets. They are to be construed as investment because knowledge never cools off. Who knows you can discover a technique of your own. That can give you a standing in graphic design world. It is hard for a graphic designer to divulge his secret formula in coming up with a remarkable design. It is priceless and it is hard to give away that easy. Better yet, try to discover yourself.

A way of discovering Photoshop’s secrets is to have tutorials. To discover basics, try to get The Discover Photoshop: Total Package Training Program. It includes Basic Photoshop.com training and PhotoshopDesigner/graphic design training for $139. You can also order a DVD program, with this, you can save about $1000’s on cost of going through a traditional educational course. You can also purchase Deke Mc Clelland’s The Photoshop 7 Bible or CorelDraw 9.

Graphic design is field which knows no limits. Open your eyes. Stretch your abilities and enjoy what you do. Lots of programs are available. Do something to take advantage of your edge!