Need help in finding a lost technique

[dakinepuaa]

I have been working with Photoshop for about 18 months now and have recently had a disk crash. I backup regularly but found that actions are saved in a hidden folder (yes, I use Windows) and, therefore, my backup did not save them. I would really like to find a lost technique so any help is very gratefully accepted.

I found the technique in a book over a year ago (and can't find it again). It involved several steps that resulted in a grayscale layer that, when used in multiply mode with some adjustment to the opacity, resulted in a wonderful contrast enhancement. I have looked through all of my books (I have over 20) and just can't find the technique.

Anyone out there know of a technique that would yield something similar to the attached example image?

thanks for your time and efforts in advance.

 

[theKeeper]

It might be important here to be able to see the original photo dakinepuaa. Otherwise, we can't really tell what the effect has done to the photo.

Get what i mean?

Do you have any other examples?

This result though look very similar to some of the techniques discovered in a thread here concerning how to render a photo as a drawing/painting. Some examples were colour, some greyscale like yours.

Let me see if i can locate that thread again.
Does anyone else remember where that thread is? The "photo to drawing/painting" thread.

 

[dakinepuaa]

Sorry, the technique was so useful to me I assumed that it would be obvious -- my mistake. I've posted the original and final (using the contrast enhancing layer which is the topic of this thread), and the final (though the small size doesn't do the final justice).

Using PS for only 18 months gives me just enough to make me dangerous so I'd appreciate pointers from the experts. I've tried to duplicate the effect by experimenting with various transformations and doing a "difference" to see where I was close and where i was not so close. But, I've not come really close to what I used to have.

Thanks again in advance.

 

[Sark]

If you add a new layer and fill with a Black to White gradient. When you set it to Overlay mode, it will effect the contrast of the image below, according to whever the image below is under the white or black part of the gradient. Opacity and the way the gradient is applied both effect the outcome.

Sark

 

[dakinepuaa]

I have used that technique before but "the lost technique" (sounds like a movie title) targets the shadows providing a sharpness to the transition between high and low luminosity. Thanks for your post, I appreciate your help.

 

[theKeeper]

There are a large number of ways to create more and specific types of contrast within a photo. Most of which will usually involve Levels/Curves/Brightness&Contrast in some way shape of form.

That washed out greyscale image you posted cannot create the effect your image shows, in any way. Simply setting it to Multiply mode and reducing opacity won't create anything close to your desired effect. There must be something else missing in your procedure.

The example i've attached uses a duped layer turned to greyscale and sharpened, another duped layer set to Multiply mode, a Levels adj. layer, and a Brightness&Contrast Adj. layer also (created in that order too). You can alter the cloud colour more specifically too by adding a Hue&Sat Adj. layer on top of the bunch.

One note about the greyscale layer added is that it has a Layer Mask on it with a white-to-black Radial gradient in it. This confines the sharpening (and focus) to the center area of the photo; i.e. the clouds and mountain.

Multiply mode is what creates the thick lush colours and contrast, but Levels is needed to lighten up the image again, and some sharpening is needed to really bring out the details overall.

If this effect interests you let me know and i'll post more specific details on the Adj. layer settings. Or, i can email you the psd file.

 

[dakinepuaa]

Thank you for your reply and patience. It seems that I've a lot to learn about both Photoshop _and_ asking questions. You are correct, the washed-out gray image was only one of several adjustment layers to achieve the final affect. Perahaps the "lost technique" is a simple matter of infatuation -- the first technique that allowed me to move to better looking images. But, as with any infatuation -- blinded me to the other tools and techniques that could achieve similar results.

Your rendition of Timp (the mountain is called Mt. Timpanogos) is very striking and much of what I would like to enhance the image with. I would be very pleased to see both a write-up on what you did and why you did it (the why is important to me -- I've got to get past monkey-see monkey-do) _and_ get your psd via email to study.

One of the things that drew me to this forum is the subtitle ". . . for the intuitive Photoshop user" I'd love to get to that point. I know that it takes effort and practice -- but also vision and guidance, which I hope to gleen from PSG.

thanks again.

 

[theKeeper]

Well you seem to be on the right track, so that's a plus.

The subtitle for the site basically means, if you have the patience and wisdom to experiment with the program, then you're considered "an intuitive user". [excited]

The methods i used to create that contrast is very simple. As stated, it's all just Levels, Brightness&Contrast and a duped layer on Multiply mode.

As mentioned... the duped layer on Multiply creates the lush contrast... the duped layer that's sharpened and set to Luminosity mode draws out or replenishes the fine details... and the Levels and Contrast filters strengthen the overall effect of the other layers.

I'll email you the psd file and you'll easily understand what's going on.
Send me an email and i'll reply to it with the file. So you don't have to post it here.

 

[Sheba]

Hey! I thought those Mountains looked familiar! Welcome from a fellow Utah native!

 

[emm]

Hi!
I joined the forum because I have to tell you..
This looks like the "Deelo's pencilsketch action" that can be found at the Adobe studio exchange here:link it's a long link, I hope I managed to insert it correctly...