Tip - For Shadows/Highlights

[Bill C]

Certainly one of the good new features in PS CS is the Shadow/Highlight adjustment command (Image/Adjust/Shadow/Highlight) ... however, there have been instances in which the results appear to be a little washed out...or I spend too much time trying to get it just right.
Here is a tip on how to work with the highlights/shadows - I've used this in version 7...and now I also use it after using the Shadow/Highlight command in CS. (these commands are for a PC - not sure of the equivalent on a MAC)

With the original image open, hold down the CTL-ALT-~ keys at the same time (Control, Alt, Tilde - which is above the TAB key) - this selects the highlights. (should have a bunch of marching ants). Now you want to create a new layer of this selection ... can do a CTL-J (or can do a COPY/PASTE sequence which is CTL-C, CTL-V). Now, try different blend modes/opacities...I tend to use Screen, Overlay, or Vivid light, then back off the opacity to taste.
(don't flatten yet)

Now, you want to do the same thing with the shadows ... go back to the background layer... do the same select CTL-ALT-~ however, now you want to INVERSE the selection SELECT/INVERSE (or CTL-SHIFT-I) then create a new layer of this selection CTL-J
Now, on this layer, try SCREEN blend mode and change opacity to taste.
FLATTEN

I've used this technique even after using the Shadow/Hightlight command in PS - seems to add a little 'pop' back...
Hopefully these instructions aren't too confusing!:)
Bill

[Linda G]

Wow! I work with photoshop every day, but for different uses...what a hint! I didn't know about the control/alt/~ command! what a time saver!

I subscribe to all sorts of photoshop newsletters, hints and tricks, but I have never run across that one.

THANKS!

[dhani2489]

Thanks Bill, I have a sample for you to fix, pls do help me, I followed your instruction, but I'm not clear about blend/opacity mode.


:( :(
dhani

[Bill C]

dhani:
I took your picture and ran it thru two quick processes:
In PhotoShop CS I used the Image/Adjust/Shadow Highlight feature - I did not 'tweak' it at all (could probably play with it to make it even better)..then, I used the technique from my first message...again, I really didn't 'tweak' it too much. (I did it to the original, so if you don't have CS, you can still bring out some of the details). I assume you have PhotoShop...if you do, one of the important features to understand is the concept of layers and blend modes - very powerful. In the little 'tip' I gave, when you create a new layer of the selection, you end up with two layers at first, then a 3rd on the top.....the blend modes can be changed via the dropdown menu (Normal, Dissolve, Darken...etc) on the Layers Palette. NOTE: There is a quick way to cycle thru the blend modes, and that is by holding the SHIFT key down and then hit the plus + key.
Regards,
Bill
Here is the same ... may have to do a horizontal scroll:

[dhani2489]

Bill, thank so much, i got it now.

just curious, i've found somewhere in the web, somebody use the technique of duplicating layer, invert , desaturate etc,. have you any idea about this ?

:) :)
dhani

[Beng]

Linda, you could find that short cut in Scott Kelby's The Photoshop Book for Digital Photography too and many more tricks and tips.

[Linda G]

Buy a book *gasp* and not learn it on the internet?

I found a great chart from someone on their website and printed it out and laminated it, studied the ones I use every day but haven't really investigated the rest, guess I need to.
Choose your wepon:

http://user.fundy.net/morris/redirect.html?photoshop.shtml

[Steve Wynn]

Are books still published?

[Don65Stang]

Originally posted by Steve Wynn
Are books still published?

Steve, aka BuckeyeNomad, glad you're back!

[frankgh]

Here is my first attemp at this tip. I am new to Photoshop and am working with CS. I took this with my new 14mm Sigma lens. We were just chatting at the marina and I shot from the hip, I had no idea how it would come out. I loved it but his face was way to dark. Then I remembered reading this tip some time ago, came back and wow, it works really well. I had about 9 layers before I was done and did not feather them out very well but I think I got the idea! Thanks Bill!

Original

[frankgh]

Sorry, try again!

Original

[frankgh]

Touched up

[Linda G]

Very good attempt! So many layers! You'll get it down to a manageable amount before long!

I would suggest yes, do work on the feathering. Start with just one pixel so it doesn't bleed too much and work from there to get the results you like.

I've also found, when lightening or darkening quite a bit, the colors become too saturated so if you already have it selected, try the hue/saturation command and desaturate slowly, then see if it needs color correcting to take some of the red out...or was his face really this red? He looks almost stroke prone!