Photoshop
is such a powerful application, with deep menus and a vast array of
tools and controls, that even experienced users continually find new
ways to use the program for better photography. One of the best ways to
improve your skills with Photoshop is to see how other photographers
use it for specific results, so we’ve compiled a few of our favorite
techniques for particular subjects.
Skies
Skies are an important part of most scenic photographs, from landscapes to cityscapes. They can be a challenge to photograph, however, since they can be so bright compared to the rest of the photo.
A graduated neutral-density filter lets you darken the sky without affecting other parts of the scene. But even then, that might not be enough, as seen in this photo of Rutland, Vt., at dawn. The sky is still too light because of the contrast of this early-morning light. Yet if the exposure is decreased, important color and detail will start to be lost in the buildings.
Using Photoshop (and Photoshop Elements), you can enhance light skies.
1. Make your basic adjustments to the image to ensure the black and white points have been set properly (use Levels and hold down Alt/Option while you adjust the black and white sliders; a threshold screen appears that shows the blacks or whites in the scene) and that you’ve corrected midtones (use Curves or a new Levels adjustment with the midtone slider).
2. Add a Levels adjustment layer (Image > Adjustment > Levels) and click OK without doing any adjustments. You can actually use any adjustment layer for this as long as no adjustments are made.3. Change the layer mode to Multiply. This instantly intensifies the whole photo.
4. Remove the adjustment where it isn’t needed by using the layer mask—paint black over the areas of the photo that shouldn’t be adjusted by the Multiply layer (black hides the adjustment, white makes it visible; “black conceals, white reveals”). Vary the size of the brush—a large, soft brush works well for overall work, a small brush for details and small areas.
In this photo, I painted black over the buildings, removing the adjustment there. A large brush allowed me to blend the tonalities where they transitioned from buildings to sky. The final image also shows more detail in the buildings from the use of a Curves adjustment layer limited to just the buildings (by using the layer mask).
You can make the Multiply effect weaker by changing the opacity of the layer; make it stronger by duplicating this layer.
Portraits
By Ibarionex R. Perello
Smooth skin tones, free of blemishes and harsh lines, are essential for a flattering portrait, but you don’t need an entire production crew to get it right. Using a few simple tools within Photoshop, you can achieve glamorous results.
What’s important when practicing this technique is not to overdo it. Our eyes are accustomed to seeing faces with imperfections, and while Photoshop makes it easy to eliminate them, our minds immediately recognize the results as being unnatural. So be conservative in its application unless you desire that unusual look.
1. After opening an image, duplicate the layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer). You’ll be applying the filter and adjusting the effect on this new layer, leaving the original untouched.
2. Apply the Gaussian Blur filter to the new layer (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). A control window opens, displaying a preview window and an adjustment for the radius. Increase the radius setting to between 35 and 50 pixels. If the preview box is checked, you’ll see your picture blur severely, but don’t worry. We’re not done yet. Click OK and the filter effect will be applied.
3. At the bottom of the Layers palette, click on the Add Layer Mask button and go to the fill command (Edit > Fill). Under Contents, in the Use drop-down menu, select Color, pick pure black and click OK. This will fill the mask with black, blocking the effect of the Gaussian Blur.
4. Go to the toolbar and click on the Default Color setting. This will set your foreground color to white and your background color to black. You’ll now selectively paint the blur effect to the layer using the Brush tool.
5. Choose the Brush tool in the toolbar and select a soft-edged brush. Set the brush opacity to 30% to 40%. Choose a size that will allow you to navigate around the face, but still avoid applying the filter effect to the eyes and lips. You want to keep these areas sharp.
6. With the mask selected and active, carefully paint around the forehead, cheeks and chin. You’ll see a softening of the skin tone, which will eliminate blemishes and soften the appearance of age lines or crow’s feet; this will also reduce glare. If you wish to check whether there have been areas in the mask that you’ve failed to paint, click on the mask while depressing the Alt/Option key to see where you have and haven’t painted.
7. To remove the effect from an area you’ve accidentally painted, click X on your keyboard to switch the foreground/background color. You can then paint the mask with black to block the effect and then click X again to return to the white paintbrush. If the filter effect is too strong, you can reduce its effect by adjusting the opacity layer until you’re satisfied with your subject’s appearance.
Architecture
By Ibarionex R. Perello
When photographing architecture, you’ll frequently have to contend with perspective distortion. You’ll see this when taking a picture of a tall building, where the building’s vertical lines appear to converge. This optical distortion becomes more pronounced the taller the structure and the closer you are to its base.
1. After opening an image, choose the Crop tool from the Tools palette.
2. Starting from the upper-most corner of your image, drag the Crop tool to the opposing corner and release the mouse button. A bounding box of marching ants will appear.
3. The Tools option bar now shows a Perspective check box. Click once to make a check mark appear.
4. While holding down the Shift key, grab the left-center handle of the bounding box and bring it in until it’s parallel to a vertical line. Do the same for the right-center handle.
5. While still maintaining pressure on the Shift key, go to the upper-left handle and move it horizontally until the left side of the crop-bounding box is parallel to the vertical line. Do the same for the right side. Release the Shift key.
6. Click on the center handles on the left- and right-hand sides of the crop-bounding box and pull it back until it encompasses your original image. Some of the image will be cropped off.
7. Double-click within the crop-bounding box and the image will be cropped and corrected for perspective.
8. To correct the vertical compression of the image, create a duplicate layer by double-clicking on the background layer.
9. Expand the canvas (Image > Canvas Size) by two inches or more. Click on the bottom arrow in the layout dialog box to limit the canvas increase to the top of the image.
10. Go to Edit > Transform > Scale and use the top-center handle to stretch the image until you achieve the natural height of your subject. Double-click to apply the effect and use the Crop tool to crop out what’s left of the expanded canvas.
