What does using an adjustment layer in Photoshop allow you to do?

Utilizing an adjustment layer in Photoshop provides the significant advantage of enabling edits without permanently altering the original image. Adjustment layers allow you to apply color and tonal adjustments to your image while maintaining the integrity of the original pixels. This non-destructive editing approach means you can modify the adjustments at any time, easily hide or delete the layer, and revert to the original image if necessary.

Adjustment layers give you the flexibility to experiment with different effects, such as brightness and contrast, hue and saturation, or levels, without committing to those changes directly on the image layer. This preservation of the original image allows for a more iterative and creative workflow, which is especially valuable in complex projects where you might want to try multiple adjustments before finalizing the look of the photo.

In contrast, the other options present limitations that do not accurately reflect the capabilities of adjustment layers in Photoshop.