How to Apply an Adjustment Layer to one Layer in Photoshop,
Therefore, to apply an adjustment layer to only one layer in Photoshop, use a clipping mask. Place the adjustment layer directly above your target layer, then hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and click on the line between the two layers. In other words, alternatively, click the square icon with a downward arrow in the Properties panel.
How to Apply an Adjustment Layer to one Layer in Photoshop,
Method 1: The Alt/Option Click (Fastest)
Therefore, open the Layers panel and place your adjustment layer directly above the single layer you want to change.
Hold down Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac).
In other words, hover your mouse pointer on the line between the adjustment layer and the target layer below it.
Therefore, when the cursor turns into a square with a downward arrow, click.
Method 2: The Properties Panel Button:
In other words, select your adjustment layer.
However, open the Properties panel.
In other words, click the Clipping Mask icon (it looks like a square with a small arrow pointing down) at the bottom of the panel.
How to Apply an Adjustment Layer to one Layer in Photoshop,
Method 3: Using the Menu or Right-Click:
Menu: However, select the adjustment layer and go to Layer > Create Clipping Mask.
Right-Click: Right-click the adjustment layer in the Layers panel and choose Create Clipping Mask.
How to Know It Worked:
However, the adjustment layer will be indented in the Layers panel, showing a small arrow pointing down towards the layer below.
Above all, only the layer directly below will show the adjustments.
How to Apply an Adjustment Layer to one Layer in Photoshop,
Note: To remove the clipping mask and make it affect all layers again, use the same Alt/Option click gesture on the line between the layers, or Ctrl+Alt+G (Cmd+Option+G on Mac)
