I have two problems that are driving me mad and I when I try to search for answers I get everything BUT what I need.  Hopefully I can explain so it makes sense and I will be forever grateful if someone can guide me.

Problem 1:

Whenever I open a new adjustment layer, it automatically opens as a clipping mask.  I cannot find where I go (likely preferences - but I can't find it in there!) to turn it back so that the adjustment will be made to the entire layer every time and I can add a clipping mask if I want to!

Problem 2

If I use the black or grey eyedropper the entire layer turns pure white.  (i.e. in curves or levels)
The white eyedropper seems to work okay!
If I use the "auto" button the entire layer turns pure white.


This has been going on for several weeks.... I think maybe when I was taking some Martin Perhiniak (sp?) PS tutorials I followed his instructions to make basic  changes - but these two issues are driving me nuts! 

Thanks thanks thanks!  Hopefully this is easy for someone!

I have two problems that are driving me mad and I when I try to search for answers I get everything BUT what I need.  Hopefully I can explain so it makes sense and I will be forever grateful if someone can guide me.

Problem 1:

Whenever I open a new adjustment layer, it automatically opens as a clipping mask.  I cannot find where I go (likely preferences - but I can't find it in there!) to turn it back so that the adjustment will be made to the entire layer every time and I can add a clipping mask if I want to!

Problem 2

If I use the black or grey eyedropper the entire layer turns pure white.  (i.e. in curves or levels)
The white eyedropper seems to work okay!
If I use the "auto" button the entire layer turns pure white.


This has been going on for several weeks.... I think maybe when I was taking some Martin Perhiniak (sp?) PS tutorials I followed his instructions to make basic  changes - but these two issues are driving me nuts! 

Thanks thanks thanks!  Hopefully this is easy for someone!

1. whenever you use a adjustment layer it automatically comes with a Mask, although it will be white meaning nothing is masked. If you click on that white mask and use control-I then that mask will inverse making it all black . . meaning masking everything.

2. Those eye droppers while using Levers or Curves will set your Highlight and Shadow.  If your default Highlight is 255, 255, 255 then if you use the Highlight dropper on something dark it will in effect move the slidders on your Levers so the darks equal 255,255,255.

Is that what you mean?

PS.....You can set your eye dropper default values for Highlights and Shadows by double clicking on those eye droppers and set its value.  Mine are set at 248,248,248 and 8,8,8.

Problem one

http://forums.adobe.com/message/4115673

Problem 2

Where are you clicking with the eyedropper when you get all black or white? Do you have any auto-select options on in menus?

You can also reset all your prefs, but that's a bit of a sledgehammer

OMG, what a relief!  Thanks Joanne!  The word I needed was "disable" in searching.  It seems that my palettes (or whatever you call them) are anchored to the right of my screen, but the far right side is hidden in the gutter - I could not see the selection on the bottom right side!

I would forget all about the Mid Tone (Grey) Eye Dropper.  Not all images have a neutral grey mid tone but if you really want to get into it than here is the way to do it: 

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/neutral-gray/

Fixed!!!!!

Okay... from the above help this is what I did

Layers - double clicked the black eyedropper, set RGB to 000  (why was it at 255/255/255???)

Then Right clicked on the photo (while in the eyedropper) and set to "point sample".

I don't think I ever would have fixed this without your help guys.  You ROCK!