Photoshop CS help please - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/17/2005 08:47:37 PM · #1

How do I lighten the corner of a photo? I have a large group photo and the person in the upper left is a little too dark. I've been trying to create a gradient mask so I can apply an adjustment layer, but can't figure out how to do it.

bmatt17

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

04/17/2005 08:52:42 PM · #2

Depending on the picture, it might be possible to just use the dodge tool.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/17/2005 08:57:29 PM · #3

Gradient tool>Quick Mask>Drag gradient from corner >Edit in standard mode>Select>Inverse

and you should be able to get a corner masked.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/17/2005 09:09:30 PM · #4

Originally posted by faidoi:

Gradient tool>Quick Mask>Drag gradient from corner >Edit in standard mode>Select>Inverse

and you should be able to get a corner masked.

Instead of Quick Mask, you can also create a new (alpha) Channel. Paint your gradient/mask in that channel (it acts like a grayscale image). Then when you're back at the main image, you load the alpha channel as a selection, and apply whatever adjustments you want.

BTW: A recent experiment suggests that combining a gradient mask with a tone adjustmment (e.g. Curves or Levels) yields an effect somewhat similar to having used a graduated neutral density filter.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/17/2005 09:10:39 PM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Gradient tool>Quick Mask>Drag gradient from corner >Edit in standard mode>Select>Inverse

and you should be able to get a corner masked.

Instead of Quick Mask, you can also create a new (alpha) Channel. Paint your gradient/mask in that channel (it acts like a grayscale image). Then when you're back at the main image, you load the alpha channel as a selection, and apply whatever adjustments you want.

BTW: A recent experiment suggests that combining a gradient mask with a tone adjustmment (e.g. Curves or Levels) yields an effect somewhat similar to having used a graduated neutral density filter.

Cool, I'll try it myself.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/17/2005 09:12:15 PM · #6

Thanks!!! I just tried faidoi's method and it was pretty simple. GeneralE, I'll try your's next!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/17/2005 09:13:34 PM · #7

Originally posted by les0910:

Thanks!!! I just tried faidoi's method and it was pretty simple. GeneralE, I'll try your's next!

It's really just a variation on what you just did. If you can, post some before/after samples!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/17/2005 10:16:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by les0910:
Thanks!!! I just tried faidoi's method and it was pretty simple. GeneralE, I'll try your's next!

It's really just a variation on what you just did. If you can, post some before/after samples!

Here they are...

before
after

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/17/2005 10:23:04 PM · #9

That really helps the upper-left area -- nice : )