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03/26/2005 05:56:49 PM · #1 |
Although I normally do "basic editing" on my pictures, when I need a lot more control, I resort to using bunch of layers and layer masks. However, since I'm not a PS guru, nor do I have a lot of patience, the results are usually less than satisfactory. Sure, in DPC-size, the pictures look fine, yet when I view them in full-size, I can clearly see dark/light lines, halos and all kinds of editing artifacts. To explain myself better; let's say I want to edit the sky and the foreground separately. What I often do to create selections is to copy the RGB channel that has the greatest contrast between the sky and the foreground, and then using Brightness/Contrast, Levels and sometimes a bit of hand painting, create a pure black and white "mask image", which I can copy/paste onto a layer mask. Or, if the separation between the foreground and background is fairly straight/simple, I use magnetic lasso to select the sky, and save the selection. I may then apply different levels/curves to each part (e.g. just apply the curve to the whole, then copy/paste the mask image on the mask), do some dodging and burning on one of them, use different channel mixer settings on each part, etc. Problem is, as I stated before, if I blow the image up to full size, I see artifacts, usually halos or ugly lines, where the selections meet. In some cases, applying gaussian blur at 200-250 to the mask takes care of this problem, but more often than not also introduces new problems. This picture is a good example. Maybe at this size the "flaws" are not very noticeable but they are there; where the sky and the foreground meets, there are ugly black lines and halos, which I can't seem to get rid of no matter what I try).
Phew! I'm long-winded indeed! Long story short, I'd like to know if there's any "magic" formula for precision other than doing everything pixel by pixel with 1px hard-edged brushes, which as a matter of fact I tried, and gave up on faster than I could say "pixel". I'm thinking about selling (umm trying to sell, that is) prints but with my incompetent editing I don't think I can offer anything larger than 4x6, which kinda sucks.
Thanks in advance. |
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03/26/2005 06:06:33 PM · #2 |
I suggest reading this book, which I have found to be a great resource.
With regard to masking off between sky and land, I often find that a VERY broad (soft) transition is what's called for. I don't often find that I have to to select a sky with high precision. you sometimes need to choose on which side of the actual horizon your transitin will be (rather than across the horizon). There's usually a way to make it work without resorting to a "hard" selection.
Edit, I see that you specified PS 7; the book I referenced is specific to CS, this is the version for PS 7.
Message edited by author 2005-03-26 18:08:13.
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03/26/2005 06:35:47 PM · #3 |
| I to am looking for a good book on CS. I have 2 and use them lots but they are too difficult I guess since my photos usually look worse then when I started. Thank you Kirbic for the reference for a new book to check out. |
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03/26/2005 06:36:15 PM · #4 |
| Thanks Fritz. I'll have a look at the book. Also, I think what you mean by "soft transition" is what I have tried by blurring (gaussian) the mask. If so, yes that sometimes helps but in some cases it either "spreads" the effect -if you know what I mean- to the adjacent area where the effect should not be applied at all, or creates horrid halos. Anyway, I'm sure it's a matter of learning and practicing certain methods. Thanks again. |
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03/26/2005 06:40:03 PM · #5 |
A couple of things help.
First, learn how to create masks from channels and avoid using the lasso/ magic wand or similar tools unless there is nothing you can do to avoid it.
Usually if you are selecting something there is something that makes it stand out from the surroundings - colour, shape, texture. You should try to use this feature to drive the selection. You can convert a channel (red, green, blue) in to a mask as a quick starting point then paint it to taste to add/subtract relevant parts.
Second, use gaussian blur and sharpening on masks to control the edges. Once you've applied gaussian blur, you can use levels on the mask and move the mid-point grey slider to easily adjust the active edge of the mask back and forth across any boundaries. |
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03/26/2005 07:40:28 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
First, learn how to create masks from channels and avoid using the lasso/ magic wand or similar tools unless there is nothing you can do to avoid it.
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Gordon,
My Bookmarks were deleted accidentally, taking with them your excellent tutorial on creating channel masks in your Pbase stuff. Could you be so kind as to repost the link here, please?
Best wishes |
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03/26/2005 11:30:49 PM · #7 |
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03/27/2005 10:36:06 AM · #8 |
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03/27/2005 06:27:16 PM · #9 |
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03/27/2005 07:18:14 PM · #10 |
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