Photoshop Tips From The Pros

Some of the best in nature photography share 11 techniques that will turn a good photograph into an award-winner

By Tim Grey

Labels: Blooms

This Article Features Photo Zoom

James Kay
Gradient Tool
8 Landscape photos can present a challenge in terms of balancing the exposure of a bright sky and a relatively dark background. When I have such a scene, where the sky needs to be darkened (and I didn’t use a graduated split-neutral-density filter), the Gradient tool provides a solution.

I start by adding a Curves adjustment layer and applying the desired darkening effect for the sky (though at this point it will affect the entire image). Then I choose the Gradient tool, choose the Black to White gradient from the pop-up on the Options bar and make sure the style is set to Linear Gradient. Then I drag on the image from the bottom area (foreground) to the top (sky), identifying the range where I want to transition the adjustment. This will create a smooth transition between areas that are being darkened (at the top of the image) and areas that keep their original appearance (at the bottom of the image).

Selective Color
9 Whenever I have an image needing specific color-correction, using the Selective Color adjustment makes it fast and easy. The first step is to create a Selective Color adjustment layer. Then, choose the color that needs to be corrected and adjust the color balance for that specific color range. You also can reduce color from highlight areas, such as in clouds, by choosing the White channel and adjusting color balance there. This is a very precise way to remove color casts from particular colors within the image without the need for complicated masking techniques.

Guy Tal
On-Image Adjustments
10 Photoshop CS4 came onto the scene loaded with new and exciting features, as well as some less obvious improvements and refinements to existing functionality. One such handy little gem is the On-Image Adjustment tool added to the Curves, Black & White and Hue/Saturation adjustments. Shaped like a pointing hand with arrows indicating the directions of adjustment, it can be used to visually adjust selected colors and tones by merely dragging the mouse directly on the image. To enable the feature, click the Hand icon on the Adjustments panel for the appropriate adjustment layer. Want to darken the sky when converting an image to black-and-white? Add a Black & White adjustment layer, click the On-Image Adjustment tool, move your mouse over the sky, and click and drag to the left. Presto!

Hue/Saturation
11 You can use the same method in a Hue/Saturation layer to increase or decrease the saturation of specific colors (by dragging left or right) or in a Curves layer to brighten or darken selected tones (by dragging up or down).

Tim Grey has authored more than a dozen books on digital photography and imaging for photographers, and publishes the Digital Darkroom Quarterly newsletter. Visit www.timgrey.com.

Page 4 of 4

« Start Prev1234NextEnd »

13 Comments

Feed

Cynthia D. Mathre Thayer makes this comment

Thursday, 19 November 2009

Thank you for the great tips. I do appreciate them.
Dawn makes this comment

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Do you think a REAL Photographer is someone who takes a pic, then has to go back and EDIT IT? I don't think so. I am a Photographer and my pictures are great!!! I do not do any Photoshop to them. If you truly know how to compose and use your camera then your NOT going to have to doctor it up. What your showing is NOT what you took. I mean come on, if you cannot sell your photos as you took them, then your not a true photographer!!! Your a computer graphics person...
Stephen Bailey makes this comment

Monday, 28 September 2009

I wanna express my gratitude 1st and 4 most teaching your skill. I would like to know is that when I am out and about shooting there have been a few times that it would take me 15 20 mins to get my shot. Proud to say that is last 21/2 years only missed 3 shots and I'm talking about the ones never to be dublicated. Back to point the use of photoshop unblievable would you rather have an untouch photo you had to work just little bit extra even thoughthe other photographers photos with be just as brillant. Just curious.
Orkut Scraps makes this comment

Thursday, 24 September 2009

Nice tips and tricks
Colorado Humrick makes this comment

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Having started with B&W darkroom in the 60's; this is like magic. Thanks for the tips.
Samantha makes this comment

Wednesday, 08 July 2009

Hey guys and gals, check out this photoshop lightroom contest: http://www.lightroomthroughyourlens.com/about.shtml
feradz makes this comment

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Very useful tips.
Orlando makes this comment

Wednesday, 03 June 2009

Did anyone catch the last issue of American Photo?
Nancy makes this comment

Thursday, 28 May 2009

Great tips and you can bet I'll be trying them especially the Smart Selective Sharpening...Thanks for sharing...
Scott makes this comment

Thursday, 28 May 2009

Some very powerful techniques to help out with your photography. These are not just for nature photography either, the best photographers use photoshop for their images - there is always an improvement that you can find. We do Fort Myers Photography http://leapyearphoto.com weddings and portraits and Photoshop is used before any final prints are done.
image masking makes this comment

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Useful amount of tips you have give through this post. Thank for the hard work. Regards, photoshop masking
Designerfied makes this comment

Monday, 25 May 2009

The image #2 is so cool looking! Thanks for the tips!
Television Spy makes this comment

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Great tips will have to try them after I get my new digital camera (DLXR)

How-To

Photoshop Tips From The Pros

Some of the best in nature photography share 11 techniques that will turn a good photograph into an award-winner

13 Comments

Add Comment

Recent OP Articles

Popular OP Articles

OP Most Popular Tags