Help with Straightening Photo

[nkeevers]

I was working on this photo for a friend and had it zoomed in real close. While working, I kept saving it. Well, I never realized I must have hit some key and it tilted the image. Now I'm having trouble straightening.

I've used the straighten tool but it's not working. Any help would be appreciate since I don't want to go back and start from scratch.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/14tUEsa5IjYzkIwACbGmp5POckyWNz_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=14tUEsa5IjYzkIwACbGmp5POckyWNz)

[Juergen D]

Norma,
Go >Image >Rotate >Custom and rotate the image by 4.2° to the left.

Juergen

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1YFKPa29MtTDZhXl9wli1Nn4MEFa1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1YFKPa29MtTDZhXl9wli1Nn4MEFa1)

[GaryK]

Hi Norma

Here is a trick I have picked up somewhere.

It sounds harder than it is.

1st step ... open your info pallet ... Window>info
2nd step ..find the line tool... in with custom shapes (not cookie cutter)

Now draw a line along the bottom of the photo (click left corner drag to right)
Watch the angle setting in your info box (in this case was around -4.4)

Erase the line (ctrl-z)
Go to Image>Rotate>Custom.. enter the value you got from the line angle.
Now you can crop away the white using a regular rectangle selection or crop tool.

[GaryK]

Ok ... Juergen beat me to it... and a different angle to boot.:D:D

[Chuck S.]

And then there's always the Correct Camera Distortion filter - my favorite!

[cats4jan]

I open a photo

alt click to change background to layer

open grid view> grid

control t to select transform

then I use the double sided arrow on the side of the photo to straighten the photo by slightly rotating the photo

Once the photo is straight, I make a selection of the photo with the marquee tool

- and control j to put that straightened cropped photo on it's own layer

Then I turn off the original layer

This method works for me much easier than the straighten tool. And it's non-destructive to the photo

[Chuck S.]

I open a photo

alt click to change background to layer

open grid view> grid

control t to select transform

then I use the double sided arrow on the side of the photo to straighten the photo by slightly rotating the photo

Once the photo is straight, I make a selection of the photo with the marquee tool

- and control j to put that straightened cropped photo on it's own layer

Then I turn off the original layer

This method works for me much easier than the straighten tool. And it's non-destructive to the photo

Janice, looks like a good approach. The reason I use the Correct Camera Distortion filter is that it pops up a very fine grid for straightening, and can be used to correct perspective at the same time. My regular grid is set to the Rule of Thirds, which doesn't provide enough grid lines for precise straightening. Doing a Ctrl-J before using either approach is good for the preservation of the original pixels.

[nkeevers]

Wow, all great suggestions. Now why didn't I think of that!!

I think I'm going to try all of them just to see which is easiest:D and see how they each work! Thanks so much!

[cats4jan]

Chuck - to fix distortion I hold the control key and pull at the corners.

I know I do things a little lamely, but for scrapbooking, the photo is not the primary focus of the page - thus, these easier ways of straightening and fixing distortion - suffice for my needs.

However, I do think learning the more "professional way" of doing things - the way you and others are suggesting - is something people who's primary focus is photography - should definitely learn.

[nkeevers]

Tried all all the variations of straightening and they all work great! Thanks so much guys! I'm sure there will be instances where I might want to use one over the other.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1oyyxF13w3S050X5o0JQedx5HrHyJA_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oyyxF13w3S050X5o0JQedx5HrHyJA)

[Chuck S.]

Chuck - to fix distortion I hold the control key and pull at the corners.

I know I do things a little lamely, but for scrapbooking, the photo is not the primary focus of the page - thus, these easier ways of straightening and fixing distortion - suffice for my needs.

However, I do think learning the more "professional way" of doing things - the way you and others are suggesting - is something people who's primary focus is photography - should definitely learn.

Janice, that's one of the endearing qualities of Photoshop and Elements: 2, 3, or even 4 ways to do something, depending on your wants and needs!:)