Damien Symonds

Please open another photo (any random photo will do) and see if the problem also repeats itself there.

Okay .... but if you delete all the layers and start anew, it's ok? There should NOT be a solid color layer involved in this task in any way.

Yes, but you've restarted now, so that problem is fixed, yes?

No, I mean why are you using a Solid Color layer? You should be using a Gradient layer.

Now, let's talk about the photo itself. Why are you using a Solid Color layer at all?

More importantly, if you use the first layer, and fill its mask with black, then try painting on it again, does it work?

That's not a problem though, is it? You can use the new layer easily enough?

Great. Well, go ahead and restart, and tell me if the issue still exists.

Great. And your brush tool definitely at 100% opacity and fill?

This is not an uncommon problem. Can you do this for me?

Did you press D to make sure you're truly painting with white?

Kendra, I don't want to see it. Please stop posting it. I've done what you needed me to do.

Yes, because that's what backlit grass LOOKS LIKE.

No, it's still f&*king awful. Look, I helped you with what you needed. I helped you make the fox look more plausible. PLEASE stop tormenting my eyes with this awful "artistic" crap.

Hi Kellie, maybe this one? https://www.damiensymonds.net/cal_starthere.html

You're really sticking with the horrible dark effect, eh?

The class will blow your mind, I promise.

Have you tried the Channel Mixer numbers I suggested?

Forget about the 70 thing. We're going to have to ignore that, since the room is already as bright as you can make it. The screen MUST match the prints.

The screen's brightness MUST match the prints. This is not negotiable. If the room brightness can't go any brighter, then the screen's brightness needs to come down.

Then you'd better put that third bulb back in. Your room light must be way too dim.

Definitely go lower. As low as it takes to get a print match. Some people literally have to have their screen's brightness setting on 0 (although that is rare of course). Bummer. Yeah, try the 5663 one.

Hi @kellrodriguez, may we have some more information? Where are these files? I mean, are they on your internal hard drive, or an external one?

If that doesn't work, you'll need to go exploring in the Keyboard Shortcuts (in the Edit menu on a PC, not sure about a Mac) and see if you can figure out the problem there. If THAT doesn't work, you'll need to reset Photoshop's preferences entirely.

In that case: https://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/09/resetting-tools.html