Re: curve adjustment layers
2002-03-30 by Bruce
> on 3/29/2002 8:50 PM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at > DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote: > >> Message: 1 >> Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 17:40:22 -0800 (PST) >> From: "S. Colson" <merkur86@...> >> Subject: Naive Photoshop Plug-in Question? >> >> Folks, >> >> I am somewhat new to Photoshop but not totally. >> >> Question: Does anyone make/sell a plug-in for Photoshop that acts like a >> "Variable Contrast" B&W enlarger head? >> >> Why doesn't someone make a plug-in that makes it easy to punch in varying >> contrasts and densities? I am used to printing with Ilford VC heads on >> 4x5 and 8x10 enlargers. >> >> It would also be nice if one could easily increase and decrease contrast >> and density selectively in different areas of a B&W print. >> >> Sorry, but it is easier for me to think and work in these terms. >> >> Stan in Pugetopia > > Stan, > > No need for a plug-in here. Here's what to do: > > 1. Create an adjustment curves layer. While looking at the part you want to > change, add or decrease contrast with the curves. This will change the > appearance of the entire image but we'll change that in a minute. > > 2. with the curves layer highlighted, go to the layers menu and choose "create > layer mask", "hide all". There should appear a black box next to the curves > symbol in the curves layer in the layer pallet. The effect of the curve you > just made should dissapear. > > 3. with the curves layer still highlighted, go to the channel pallet and > highlight the curves channel. > > 4. go to the tools pallet and choose the paint brush and set the color to > white. > > 5. paint on the part of the image you wanted to change in the first place and > you should see the effect of the curve appear where you paint with the white > paint brush. To get a partial effect set the opacity of the paint brush to > less than 100% such as 33%. > > 6. If the effect is not yet perfect, go back to the curves adjustment layer > and double click and reset the curve, or change the opacity of the curves > layer until you achieve the desired effect. > > > If all this is a little too advanced for you yet, obtain the book "real world > photoshop 6" and learn about adjustment layers and masks. Then go back and > try out the above recipe. You will soon find that you use adjustment layers > for almost all your corrections. It's wonderful because you can always go > back and change the corrections without altering the original file or image. > And using curves in this way is far more effective than using the dodge or > burn tools, and it's far more effective than dodging or burning in the > darkroom. > > good luck! > > -Bruce Oops, I've been caught writing from (an incorrect) memory. When you create the curve adjustment layer it automatically creates a blank layer mask for the layer. Therefore substitute below for steps 2 and 3: Go to channels, highlight the curves channel, go to the edit menu, select fill, choose black in the "contents" box, click ok. Continue to step 4 -Bruce Visit my website at: http://home.earthlink.net/~smthopr