Photosphere is relatively transparent. Is that right?
See the other answer by @RobJeffries for a more thorough explanation. Here I just address the the question of how something transparent can also be visible.
Transparent things can still emit bright light. Under some circumstances it can even approximate blackbody radiation. Think about red hot glass, and then imagine it is much bigger and the glass is now gas.

above: from Glowing Glass

above: from Wikipedia