November PS Tip Adjustment Layers

Using adjustment layers is a non-destructive method of editing. The original image is not changed and you can always go back to the original or re-edit the adjustments with layers. You can even block out some of the effects of the layer using the attached Layer Masks on each adjustment.

As in Screen Capture # 1, I start with Curves adjustment layer. I use the Icon on the bottom of the layers pallet to select curves.

When the Curves dialog box opens (left side of screen)  I start with the white colorpicker. (Screen Capture # 2) I then click on the whitest area in my photo. This does two things. First it brightens the image and adjusts the brightness. Secondly it adjusts the white point and corrects the color cast in the photo. (Notice that the new end point for each channel is different).  In order not to “blast” the highlights I usually go close to pick out the lightest pixels. (Screen Capture #3). If this does not completely correct color cast, I will use the midtone color picker and find a neutral grey to click.

Although I like the brightness now, I can see that part of the photo did get “blasted” or too light (see screen capture #2 behind tree).  By using the layer mask, I can brush out that effect.  Being sure that the mask on the layers pallet is selected, I use the paint brush with black color selected and brushed over the areas where I did not want the adjustment to show. (Screen Capture #4).

Next I wanted to lighten the top of the tree so I used the Brighten/Contrast adjustment layer.  This worked well on the tree top but made the bottom of the photo too light. Again I used the layer mask to hide the effect where I did not want it to be.  I was able to check how my adjustment looked by clicking on the Circle Arrow icon on the bottom of the adjustment dialog box.  (circled on screen capture # 5).

To finish the adjustments I added a Vibrance layer to “pop” the colors and  added a second Brightness/Contrast Layer to enhance the contrast.  (Screen Capture #6)