You Must Try This!!

[kimi_boo]

Two designers walk into a bar and sit down with their Powerbooks. One designer says to the other, "How much you want to bet I can correct the highlight and shadow of this image without using any adjustment tools or filters directly on the image?

The other designer takes him up on the bet and a minute later begrudgingly hands his associate $10.

How did the first designer win the bet?

The designer used a contrast mask to adjust his highlights and shadows. You can too by following these simple steps.


1. Open and image that has plugged shadows and/or blown out highlights
2. Duplicate that layer (Command + J)
3. Desaturate the duplicated layer (Shift + Command + U)
4. Invert the duplicated layer (Command + I)
5. Change the duplicated layer's blend mode to Overlay
6. Filter, Blur, Gaussian Blur (around 30)

The contrast mask will reduce the blown out highlights and open up the plugged shadows. You can then of course make further adjustments by changing the duplicated layer's opacity, changing the blend if settings in the Layer Style dialog box or by adding a layer mask to isolate areas.
http://creativebits.org/photoshop/two_designers_walk_into_a_bar_a_k_a_contrast_maski ng
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contrast Masking Sharpening
I learned this in one of my classes at Eclectic. It is truly the finest thing!!
I found these instructions on the internet so I feel like I am not being dishonest.:D
BEFORE
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/18cNT6vKeGJpvu8hyOBBq3PPC7OFsO0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=18cNT6vKeGJpvu8hyOBBq3PPC7OFsO0)
AFTER
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1TkAEAJrXxtzFmMYptQu9NYqkeOMGX_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1TkAEAJrXxtzFmMYptQu9NYqkeOMGX)

Trust me... write this down. You will want to use it all of the time. :D
This is all that was used on the above photo.

[Inspeqtor]

Thanks kimi!

I am going to try doing that. I saved it using Microsoft Word, saving it in a folder called Photoshop Elements, where I have other tips also saved :D

[ChristineV]

How cool is that?!!

Thanks Kimi!

[NMarti]

Kimi
This is a great method! Thanks for sharing!

[kevq]

Kimi,
thanks for sharing this great tip.
Kev:)

[Russinator]

Kimi: I gave it a try on the top picture. I only used steps 1 thru 6 and got the lower picture.

I'll see if I can find an indoor picture and try it with that.

Thanks for the tip - Russ

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1qiFrxJJgok4xx9BSUNGM2H7JaTAw1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1qiFrxJJgok4xx9BSUNGM2H7JaTAw1)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1LbqGulflZu3daUBNEv7xVbdpFx411_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1LbqGulflZu3daUBNEv7xVbdpFx411)

[Russinator]

I gave it a try using a picture my wife took at a wedding shower. The top picture is right out of the camera. The lower picture is using steps 1 thru 6 only.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1VrOMu2zRd0Y5bVkwQ4FbfuBvGfhg0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1VrOMu2zRd0Y5bVkwQ4FbfuBvGfhg0)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1o370X7dkkRxZiX2CFmgL7HVpWUItY0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1o370X7dkkRxZiX2CFmgL7HVpWUItY0)

[kimi_boo]

I hope everyone tries it. It is soooooo simple.

Russ... Big difference! :D

[Russinator]

Kimi, yes, there is a big difference. You tip is a great thing to remember and try when that type of correction is needed.

Then I gave the road picture a try with my usual method--levels adjustment, color curves, unsharpen mask and finally one of Jodi's frames.

I haven't compared it to the one I did using your tip. I'll do that in a few minutes.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/14LiIVgNWQzUQZF3VL05zr438LZ71_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=14LiIVgNWQzUQZF3VL05zr438LZ71)

[kevq]

Kimi,
here's one using your tip, just steps 1 to 6.
Made a great deal of difference.
Thanks again,
Kev.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HLfmy1i0t4pF46jkKg8usPfJeKv0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HLfmy1i0t4pF46jkKg8usPfJeKv0)

[kimi_boo]

Nice... Kev!
It really seems to make an impact on pictures with some color to them.

[kevq]

Kimi,
I think it's brilliant. I've tried it on a few bad? photos and it has improved them all to some extent.
Kev.:) :)

[kimi_boo]

I have to admit... I use it often! It gives the image a real punch. :D

[Red Sky]

Thanks Kimi. I tried it out on a few photo's and it works great!

[billz]

Kimi - Wow ... thanks! (What class are you taking?)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1jVXt53BWAyyFvme3IPNtObGrv2eQ1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1jVXt53BWAyyFvme3IPNtObGrv2eQ1)

Bill

[kimi_boo]

Bill... I am on my 5th one. We covered this in Make your photo's Pop. I ran across it today on the web. Knew I had to share! :D

[billz]

Thanks Kimi - I'm actually taking that class right now. Looks like it's part of next week's lesson. (Part of my homework is already done!)

Bill

[Inspeqtor]

Bill and kim,

What class are you taking?

[kimh]

Wow!! I can't believe the difference in those photos. I also took the "photos pop" class (Charles--this is a class through Eclectic Academy) but we were covering a lot of techniques at the time so was probably rushing to get homework posted. It is nice to see the refresher and give it a try.
Kimh

[siraacsa]

This technique looks complicated but it sure makes a difference to the photo's posted. I'll have to give it a try. TFS

[Inspeqtor]

thank you kimh!!

[JonE]

Thanks Kim! For starters, I didn't even know about Invert! :eek: This tip works very well, but there's not apparent reason why it does, what with the blurring and all! NEway, some of the pictures posted in this thread look a bit "overdone" to me. One addition to this is that when you have the invert layer all done, you can change the opacity of that layer from 1-100 to get just the right amount of the effect for the photo. Thanks again!

[kimi_boo]

Hi Norma!! :D Now post an image to show us what you did.

[Cmcburnett]

Kimi, thanks. I will give it a try.

[msbrad]

Kimi, I do not know how I missed this the first time around, but this one is getting printed and I have the other parts saved in a file.
Now I must go and locate a photo to try this on tomorrow.
thanks,
m

[tbrannon]

Thanks Kim this is awesome!

[nkeevers]

Hi Norma!! :D Now post an image to show us what you did.

Yeah, yeah, I'll try one! Actually, this is funny but in another thread Byron just described that to me and called it contrast masking. He must have learned that at the same place!

[Fstop]

Kev: How are you posting your pictures in the thread. I can upload my pic to pix, but I can't figure out how to paste the picture in this thread.

Steve

[chas3stix]

Kimi,
What a great tip! Thank you soooooooooo much.
Chas

[chas3stix]

Kimi,
This technique works wonders for underexposed shadows but did little good on another photo with blown-out highlights. I wonder why?
Chas

[Byron Gale]

...This technique...did little good on ...blown-out highlights...Chas,

Blown-out will always be blown-out. If all you have is white space, no amout of adjusting will cause detail to appear.

Byron

[chas3stix]

Byron,
Thanks. I kinda thought that was the case.
Chas

[kimi_boo]

Kev: How are you posting your pictures in the thread. I can upload my pic to pix, but I can't figure out how to paste the picture in this thread.

Steve

Go to file, save for web. resize you image to less than 700 pixels for your largest size. (I usually go to 600 so you can see the entire image) Once it shows on Pixentral, look at the bottom you will see two URL's. Copy the one that says forum. Post the link and it will show the thumbnail to click on. Make sure you get the entire address. :)

[Fstop]

Kim: Thanks for the great tip. Below you will see the before and after. The first photo was a totally trashed night shot of the Grand Harbor in Venice. After applying the technique you provided and messing around with Curves in CS2, I then ran the picture through a program called Neat Image to try and clear up all the digital noise. It's not a great " After" photo, but at least you can now see what I was trying to take a picture of. Kim once again, thanks for the great tip. And Kev, THANK you for telling me how to post the picture.

Steve

URL=http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1JgHWzC16BUz5NMnEzuhc6pv7Unkji0]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1JgHWzC16BUz5NMnEzuhc6pv7Unkji0_thumb.jpg[/URL]

URL=http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1UL304VBaxu6hLLsyEO9I6jrXoyL1]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1UL304VBaxu6hLLsyEO9I6jrXoyL1_thumb.jpg[/URL]

[susangreen]

Thanks Kimi for the good tip and thank you Charles for your tip on saving tips in your documents folder. I never thought to do that but have started a folder for it now. I'm going to try the contrast mask as soon as I exit the forum!

Susan

[ME100FINN]

Kimi - this is a great tool! I just tried it on an image taken indoors at a musical type concert we went to tonight. The stage was lit up and spotlights were on the singers. It did a nice job. I went back and tried it with Shadows/Highlights and it actually pulled more out. I think the photo has to be just right to get the POP like is shown so far in this thread.

[Inspeqtor]

You're welcome Susan! Glad I gave you my idea :) :D :)

[nkeevers]

Kimi, I must be the "dumb" one. I follow all the instructions but the end result is not back to color. What did I miss??

[msbrad]

fstop~that has to be the best before then after difference in photo editing, I think I've seen.
m

[kimi_boo]

Norma... after you invert. you change the blend mode to overlay then do your blur. :D

[Fstop]

msbrad: It amazed me too. Like I said, the before was trash and the after wasn't much better as far as photo's go, but being able to anything from that photo is pretty neat.

Steve

[msbrad]

Ok, Steve, it will be tomorrow. I have 2 (probably more) but 2 that look very much like that in their original. I will post the results. Oh, to be as successful as you were with it.
Today I had to complete a birthday magazine cover girl thing, and my Florida Fridge, LO, and go shopping at a scrapbook store that was closing.
Hubby says my fault, as I quit spending $$ there and am here and SG all the time.
m
ps: I do think I photographed that same bridge in Venice...but it was with film and in Apr. 2000.

[luckyjon]

wow thats really just a great tip

[ME100FINN]

1. Open and image that has plugged shadows and/or blown out highlights
2. Duplicate that layer (Command + J)
3. Desaturate the duplicated layer (Shift + Command + U)
4. Invert the duplicated layer (Command + I)
5. Change the duplicated layer's blend mode to Overlay
6. Filter, Blur, Gaussian Blur (around 30)


Try step 5 as Soft Light - it gives a little different result too.

[msbrad]

Thank you Beatrice,
I 've added the 'soft light" to my printed directions from Kimi.
m

[nkeevers]

Norma... after you invert. you change the blend mode to overlay then do your blur. :D

Kimi, I'm doing everything inorder but it doesn't come back in color. It shows it in color when I do the gassian blur but when I click okay and come back to my picture, it's still in b/w. What am I doing wrong! I'm getting frustrated!


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1h40ZhzIAWqFQaLlyyxkENbnv9x7_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1h40ZhzIAWqFQaLlyyxkENbnv9x7)

[ME100FINN]

Norma, you have to change the layer from NORMAL to OVERLAY (or soft light ... you could even sample with a few of the others too). Look right above the New Layer icon and the Adjustments icon ... is says Normal. Change that and be amazed... :D

[msbrad]

Here is my first attempt using this method.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ljh4n4yrvqEpwU7fPKnFxMEQ3jek_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ljh4n4yrvqEpwU7fPKnFxMEQ3jek)

More than likely got carried away. Just had to try some of the other things...
This picture was taken with my Dad's camera
original file size is: 2048x1360, camera was Sony-DSC-p52 and size was 1.01m
after a trip to the store, shall try another one.

[nkeevers]

Norma, you have to change the layer from NORMAL to OVERLAY (or soft light ... you could even sample with a few of the others too). Look right above the New Layer icon and the Adjustments icon ... is says Normal. Change that and be amazed... :D

It's still not working..I'm duplicating the layer, then I desaturate (turns to black/white), then I inverted which turned it more whiter, then I changed the blend mode from normal to Overlay (it's still b/white). All this on the duplicated layer. Then I went to gaussian blur where it showed the picture in color. Then I went back and looked at my picture but it was still b/w.

After I desaturated, it never went back to color.

[kimi_boo]

Norma... after I add overlay, it changes the picture back to color but the image in the layer is still black and white. Is that what you are getting? :o

[nkeevers]

Kimi, on mine my photo (my big picture) is black and white still and the photo in the layers palette is in color!:eek:

[msbrad]

Norma, I feel for your frustration. Hate it when things do not work out. I don't mean to pry, but when following Kimi's instructions did you use the shortcut letters she wrote in while you were on the duplicate layer?
I'm just trying to think of things I've done when I've had difficulty following a tutorial.
m

[msbrad]

This time really made a HUGE difference and it is on a much more important picture to me. It is my Dad, and the 3 of us siblings at his 81st birthday. It was the only photo taken,(don't know if there will ever be another, and my DH (ol capt. wonderful) didn't look and see what was taken.:eek: The flash bounced off the wall, etc....
Using this method, I do think it improved tremendously. I still plan to work on the greenery in the flash blowout.
Before:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1aazWpWztYoRRM0ZOvhfybBz1y6S0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1aazWpWztYoRRM0ZOvhfybBz1y6S0)

After:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mfCPWk8rWF3BM6KxQ49s7wUhHd5qW_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mfCPWk8rWF3BM6KxQ49s7wUhHd5qW)
When I was folowing the directions and got to the step of the blending mode, overlay, I then did ctrl+j again, and it made a huge difference. I also added a couple of adjustment layers.
there were several pictures that day kinda funky, but this was the worst and I was most upset by it.
Kimi, thank you again,
m
m

[Sissy]

Michelle, the redo of your dad's birthday picture is fabulous. I'm amazed at the difference it made. How lucky we are to have these tools to fix our less than perfect pictures of very important events, not to mention how lucky we are to have such knowledgeable folks to help us!

[Cmcburnett]

Michelle, what a great job, amazing difference!! There's hope for me yet with help from you guys. This thread is definitely a keeper. Thanks.

[kimi_boo]

Kimi, on mine my photo (my big picture) is black and white still and the photo in the layers palette is in color!:eek:

Well...... :confused:

Now I am plain out of ideas. :eek:

[nkeevers]

I think I got it now. I wasn't using all the initials when I was doing it, dumb me. I'm sure I can lighten it some more; I'm just getting tired now. I need to give my eyes a rest. I've been on this computer since 4 this afternoon and it's now 8:30 and my hubby wants to watch a movie!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1tNjKeHkNhV2vz8yXYZdQQOjOfWxWD0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1tNjKeHkNhV2vz8yXYZdQQOjOfWxWD0)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1pVS5of77iv7KPprBawi0TRHo4S2A_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1pVS5of77iv7KPprBawi0TRHo4S2A)

[kimi_boo]

Oh Norma, i am so glad you worked it out. BIG, BIG Difference!

[msbrad]

Yea Norma!
I feel so blessed with this tip and so many others. Am so happy for you that it worked out!
It looks really good.
Gosh I have so many others to try this technique on.
Don't worry y'all, I 'll give you a rest on this from :D me
m

[nkeevers]

Kimi, thanks so, so much! I love this tip now!:D :D

[msbrad]

Thank you Sissy and Charlotte for noticing and sharing in my excitement of this venture. I am excited. Trust me, I was in tears almost 2 years ago when I first tried to "fix" this mess. And I am so glad that I still had the original photo saved and only worked on a copy. that was only due to luck , not knowledge.
I had not found this program or y'all then.
I sent Daddy an e-mail about it, and told him I would print and mail. He still tries to print FROM the e-mail verson w/o regard to sizing.
take care,
m

[Sissy]

Here's my go at this technique.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1jYIObPEyymAQjtFcwQapdFG2BuymM0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1jYIObPEyymAQjtFcwQapdFG2BuymM0)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1DTapuE7zkRx9S5RzOPXfQCLo2Mq0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1DTapuE7zkRx9S5RzOPXfQCLo2Mq0)

It even made the reflections in the mirror better!

[msbrad]

That's cool, glad it worked so nicely.
m

[Inspeqtor]

Michelle, the redo of your dad's birthday picture is fabulous. I'm amazed at the difference it made. How lucky we are to have these tools to fix our less than perfect pictures of very important events, not to mention how lucky we are to have such knowledgeable folks to help us!

I could not agree with you more Sissy! Michelle, the redo of your dad's picture also amazed me! It is unbelievable what can be salvaged in a picture if you have the tools, and the helpful people here to guide you through all the steps necessary! :D

[Simone]

I too just tried this and it worked great! Below are the before/after.

By total coincidence, I had been working on this image this morning, using the other methods to fix the shadows, etc. Then I just browsed and saw this thread and quickly tried it!

So I actually have 2 "afters" to compare -- my initial attempt then using this new tip. The new way turned out a bit better, the highlights retained a bit more more depth/detail, saving me from having to work on them individually Thanks so much Kim! This is a keeper for sure :)
PS. I am always amazed at how much I learn from this wonderful forum community - being fairly new it's so fantasctic!

Before
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/19f4ebRmanSgaxQDh6tfOQD39GeLs_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=19f4ebRmanSgaxQDh6tfOQD39GeLs)

After this Tip
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1d6NXeEthPeG0XlQ1XCg3VLlipENZj_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1d6NXeEthPeG0XlQ1XCg3VLlipENZj)