What’s Your Preference?

pixiedust_photo · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 04:03 AM

I am curious to what your favorite thing to do in photoshop is? And how do you do it?

I really just love doing the color distoration with vinette. Other than that, I just adjust color and sharpness.

If you know something else, I would love to hear!!

Christine

Gonzo13 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:06 AM

I usually play with curves to adjust the contrast, with portraits I do a guassian blur in a duplicate layer then use layer masks to smooth out wrinkles, and adding watermarks. Those are the most common things that I use. I do some other stuff sometimes but I wouldn't say they are common or my favorites.

~Gonzo13

RustySterling · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:30 AM

Absolutely nothing. But that's kind of unrealistic right now. I hope to only do a crop in PhotoShop -- which finally happened with a shot today. But generally I have to do more processing than I like.

But I have a workflow that starts with histogram adjustment, brightness and contrast, and then it's a matter of what is really needed beyond that.

It also depends upon the type of shot. I do thing differently for a portrait vs. a still life. Frankly, it's really a matter of personal preference.

Silentman · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:46 AM

Playing with Blend modes.

My favorite trick is to bring in an image, and create a new layer set to "overlay" mode and fill it with 50% Grey neutral, then go to town dodging and burning with the paint tool, black for burn and white for dodge. If you want to get really serious about it, you can create 3 layers all of them set to Overlay mode and filled with 50% Grey neutral, then use one for dodge another for burn and the last for saturation.

This is a technique i learn't from Colin Smith originally.

It's amazing what can be done with "hard light or Screen"

vsa · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 10:37 AM

My favorite thing to do in Photoshop is combining stuff that really don't have much to do with each other.... like:

....yea that doesn't have much to do with photography.

kencaleno · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 10:57 AM

I do most of it in camera- I only shoot jpeg

My workflow is quick and easy:

Part One Good capture (in Camera)

I get exposure,white balance,composition correct in camera

Part Two Post Processing (in Photoshop)

1.Image>Adjustments>Auto Levels

2. Ctrl+J

3. Image>Adjustments>Equalize

4. Blending Mode -Soft Light (Adjust slider to fine tune)

5. Flatten and Save-Jpeg Level 12

pixiedust_photo · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 03:10 PM

THANKS everyone..

Ken--I tried what you posted and I like it but I cannot find my blending section..where can I find it??

Christine

pixiedust_photo · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 03:11 PM

Also--I have yet to figure out how to do layers and make them look right! I mostly shoot outside at a park or beach...

Can someone help me or guide me?

kencaleno · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiedust_photo

THANKS everyone..

Ken--I tried what you posted and I like it but I cannot find my blending section..where can I find it??

Christine

When you click ctrl+J you get "normal" in the layers palette-at the side of the word is an triangle-click on this and there is a drop down menu-click "soft light". Ken