Post-Processing Tips & Tricks

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by TrudivanZyl

Sometimes a photo lack just that little something. I discovered a technique that I recorded as an action and it became one of my favourates.

I use Photoshop CS3

1) Open a photo and duplicate the layer.
2) Go to Filter > sharpen > unsharp mask
3) In the box that open, use the sliders. Amount: 7% Radius: 250 pixels Threshold: 0

If you need a bit more punch, repeat this action. Use the opacity slider on the copied layer to control the look .

Enjoy!

Trudi

Tried it in Elements 6 and just love it. Only change is to line 2) which reads Go to Enhance>Unsharp Mask. 1) and 3) remain unchanged.
Thanks Trudi
Dagwood

[GeoffWessex]

A true "Curves" control is not generally available in Elements, but you can download and use an Action for it. It's not a fixed Curves setting, it's the same Curves that's available in full PS. Elements actually has a Curves control, but it needs to be brought into operation by an Action (oddly enough). There are several other features of Elements that are, normally, hidden but there are ways and means of using them. One of the best set of tools can be found at Elements+.

All Actions, of course, have to be written in full PS/CS...... they're just like macros, or scripts, as Chris P says. Other really useful ones include a quick way to make a Layer Mask and ways to mask highlights or shadows (so you can adjust them with one of the other tools).

[chris-p]

I've been fiddling around for ages and I think I've finally come up with a skin fix system that actually looks pretty natural. I'd appreciate your views as to whether you think it looks natural or not...

Roughly, it's done in CS3 with a high pass filter switched to vivid light blending and the "blend if gray" sliders are adjusted until you regain some highlights. After that, it's all inverted and a layer mask added so you can paint the smoothing in where you want it. I've also added some texture back in with another, but very gentle, high pass filter and some noise with that layer switched to soft light blending.

Looks like this... (original on the left obviously!) - Click to embiggen

I preferthe original - to my mind, blanket treatment of skin areas will always erase that 'freshness of natural oils' and depth to detail; rendering to rubbery clone like images JMO

[chris-p]

Fair enough Andy. I tend to agree with you actually. Thing is, I tend to find that I experiment in Photoshop to see what can be done. The question of whether it should be done is a different, but just as valid one.

[KeithT]

Chris, I have to agree with Andy on this. Having used Photoshop for the past four years, and by and large been self taught, I have come to the conclusion that the least done to an image the better it looks when completed. With portraits in particular I prefer the natural look and not the obvious magazine type airbrush look. The most I do to a portrait is to remove zits and small facial scars and brighten the eyes if needed. Otherwise I leave the natural beauty to shine through. Having said that, I think you have done a good job on post, especially making the eyes look brighter. For that reason your technique might be useful for some of us.

Originally Posted by chris-p

Fair enough Andy. I tend to agree with you actually. Thing is, I tend to find that I experiment in Photoshop to see what can be done. The question of whether it should be done is a different, but just as valid one.

I can see your process being useful if it forms part of a process. ie If the background had a dreamy faiy tale like atmosphere the whole scene may possibly work compositionaly. I like the bright eyes too and the catch lights are my cup of tea

[Cutter]

What we want is neither here nor there its what the model requires or company, we are just a tool to achieve the desired results.
If its for our own pleasure then we do as we wish.
Just my view for what its worth.

[chris-p]

About time for another PP tip...

I've been playing about with contrast adjustments in CS3. There are loads of ways of adjusting contrast but they all affect the saturation of the image. Well, here's a way to increase contrast without altering colour saturation by using luminosity masks...

In the layers palette, go the to RGB tab. Hold control (command on a mac) and click on the RGB layer. This selects the brightest luminosity ranges. Switch back to the layers tab and perform a highlight boosting curves adjustment. Set the layer opacity to ~20-30%
Now repeat the process for the shadows. The only difference is you need to invert your luminosity selection (control + shift + I) to select the shadows and generate a shadow darkening curve.

[Oly Paul]

Chris that's a rather complex way just to avoid over saturation when altering contrast.

Simply using a adjustment layer or duplicating your image as a layer and changing the blend mode to luminosity will negate any increased saturation added by curves, levels and brightness and contrast.