Retouching Tip: Contrast Layer

[xyeek]

Hi not sure if anyone has shared this previously, but this is a pretty easy way to equalise contrast and is worth doing as one of the final steps in your retouching just to see what it does. It darkens the lighter areas and lightens the darker areas.

1. Duplicate your background layer (Ctrl+J) if you only have one layer or duplicate merged visible layers (Shift+Alt+Ctrl+E). Set blending mode to Overlay and opacity to around 75%

3. Desaturate the layer (Shift+Ctrl+U) and then invert it (Ctrl+I)

4. Select Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur and blur the layer. The amount the blur depends on your image and resolution so play around with the Preview box checked to see what produces the best result.

5. You can play arund with the opacity level or blending mode as well to see what looks best. Use a layer mask to mask out the effects in areas where it doesn't look as good/too strong.

Here's a before and after image to illustrate what this does

Before
After

 

[danwardphotography]

Ahh, now this is interesting, and thanks for sharing! What is interesting about this is, it must be the basis for 'flat lighting' which is very popular in fashion photography in the minute. When im back at the main pc ill try this out, im assuming its not detrimental to quality?

 

[xyeek]

No it shouldn't be

 

[davidhuy1408]

Thank you far sharing!

 

[Patrik Selin]

Thanks muc for tip!

 

[bgoodman4]

I am new to this forum and am digging through some of the older posts,,,,this one was a good-en,,,,thanks to xyeek for the tip.

 

[Tom Mann]

This is a great technique that rarely gets used in this age of push-button efx. Thanks for describing it.

The look this technique produces is one of the most common uses of Topaz Adjust. The difference is that no one has to pay for your technique, but OTOH, Topaz Adjust boxes it up in a nice UI, gives you more adjustments, and gives you instant feedback when you move their sliders.

Attached below is one example of what Topaz Adjust can do. I turned it up a bit more than yours to show that it can also be used to bring out aspects of the image like the warm colored reflection of the lamp off of the tiled floor.

Tnx again,

T