atse

I'm just trying a bit of photographic manipulation, just wanting to put a transparent layer in front of a full color background. So I take it I just open the background image, select 'add new layer' and then select 'import'?

Hi everyone I'm really having trouble with making layers, even after reading the help section. I really don't understand the 'add new layer' option. The checkerboard pattern covers my background, but I haven't even chosen an image for the layer. I try to use the 'import (new layer)' option, but the new layer is listed as a 'background'. I'm really lost, can someone please give simple how-to? At the moment I just wish to add one layer onto one background.