Comments on: Correcting Multiple Problems in Photoshop

By: mrsrobinson

mrsrobinson — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:43:12 +0000

I think it helps to keep in mind that some who are reading here do not have fancy cameras or any lighting equipment at all and just want to learn. I still only have a Cybershot 5 megapixel and am just learning what all the buttons do! But I love photography and am trying to learn all I can whenever I can. I am self taught on Photoshop (well not really, all due to tutorials like this one). I’ve been able to fix lots of shots of my kids (God bless child photographers, let me tell you!), and photos from other family members that were not presentable. If it helps you, thank the author. If you can tell it better than by all means please share with us too :) We’re all here to share and learn.

By: Lynn Tait

Lynn Tait — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:05:32 +0000

Oh Viscara you are funny. If I listened to you and failed to turn my “garbage” in something useable – well I’d be about 1000 bucks poorer and would not have 2 book covers, a magazine cover and 3 contest placements under my belt. So excuse me while I go sit in the corner and laugh some more.

Thanks for the tutorial Jeffery.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:56:48 +0000

Boy, this is a tough room! Some of the responses don’t make me want to post any tutorials here. Ligthen up guys (no pun inteneded!)

Jeff, good effort. Not the way I would do it, but there are dozens of ways to do everything in Photoshop, and the more techniques you have under your belt the better.

May I suggest the subtle use of shadow/highlight? I know it doesn’t fix everything, but it’s a great start.

Anyway, thanks for your work on this post.
Kim

By: not telling

not telling — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:03:34 +0000

That is possibly the ugliest kid i have ever seen. You need a lot more post production that just color correction to save this shot. But all in all still an excellent tutorial.

By: Morten Vine

Morten Vine — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:48:15 +0000

Thanks for the tutorial. But it feels like the long way round to me – I think in this case I could get comparable results by shooting in RAW and moving the ’shadows’ slider in iPhoto (or the equivalent in Photoshop).

What do you guys think?

(Granted not everyone has a camera that can shoot in RAW. For those that don’t, perhaps this method is better suited for them.)

By: basti

basti — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:02:38 +0000

Jeffrey, I’m sorry but you forgott the blue highlights on the childs hat. Makes the image look unreal. Attention to detail is always key. Otherwise, god little tut… tut on

By: Dainis Graveris

Dainis Graveris — Sun, 10 May 2009 22:12:06 +0000

Great tutorial and I can see big enhancement in before/after pictures..:)

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:00:13 +0000

Fantastic tutorial — very educational, well-written, and easy to follow. I’ve been using this site for quite a while now and have learned a tremendous amount from all those who are willing to share their knowledge. While we all try to “shoot it the RIGHT way in the camera in the first place”, it’s not always possible due to many factors (lack of skill, lack of pro level camera with huge dynamic range, etc.), so I really appreciate when others take the time to help educate other users of this site. There is a reason this site is called Digital Photography SCHOOL – we are here to learn.

Viscara – if you have nothing to learn, please find another site and keep your nasty comments to yourself.

By: Arun

Arun — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:37:53 +0000

Thanks.. That’s really helpful. The thing with Photoshop is getting used to the language used! :)

That’s the best explanation for Layers v/s ADJ Layers I heard/seen. So if I had to only modify one pic, say the Brightness/Contrast, or Adjusting the Color Mix in the photos or applying Blur/Sharpening Filter etc, it’s best to use the ADJ Layers over Layers. I did not get the meaning of “image elements” very explicitly, but unless you’re looking to bring more images together, or bring border effects I think Layers would not be necessary.

I have been using only layers till now, and since I am new, I am only looking to learn & explore fast. I’ve used all of the above, viz. Sharpening, Blur, Contrast Adj., etc using Layers only. That is why I wanted to confirm.

Thanks a lot for your quick & brief explanation. I think I’ll keep that in mind for a long time! You’ve given me a head start into learning this.

By: Jeff Kontur

Jeff Kontur — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:25:58 +0000

@Arun – You ask some excellent questions. Perhaps even important enough to warrant an article of their own, but I will give the quick explanation here.

When I say “pour” black onto your adjustment layer, in reality you just hold the mouse cursor anywhere in the image frame and click. The analogy of the paint bucket seemed to lend itself to the visual image of pouring color onto the image. (One click fills the entire frame with your selected color, just as if you’d poured a whole bucket of paint.)

As to the different types of layers, a regular layer has image elements. It could be a copy of your original image, parts of the image, a completely different image or even elements you’ve drawn in yourself. An adjustment layer has no image elements, only ‘instructions’ for how to change something about the underlying image. You can’t see these instructions but Photoshop reads them and applies them to the image you do see on your screen.