How to - Selective Sharpening & Selective Skin Softening

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Optikal iLLusion

Not having much luck with this in Elements.... dont know why.. Maybe im doing something wrong with the layer mask? Also,.. what is the high pass filter allowing me to do? or what is it changing?

I don't work in Elements, so I don't know what the user interface looks like, and I'm not sure if all the functions that are used here are available in Elements. What version do you have, and with that info, maybe someone here with the same version can help. High pass filter will have a major sharpening and contrast effect, and you will need to adjust it's levels as I suggested when you are doing that part of the process. If you invert it, it will have the opposite softening effect. Creating the mask allows you to "paint in" the exact areas you want sharpened or softened.

[Krusty79]

You should look for tutorials on YouTube. It looks like Elements doesn't have layer masks, but he shows a way to get around that.

Elements6-selective sharpening - YouTube


Geez, I spent $25 for PSP and it has layer masks.

[Optikal iLLusion]

shortly after i posted that i couldnt do it i found a video on youtube that shows how to install a standalone layer mask function into PSE. So i know can use layer masks with out borrowing them from adjustments. It was pretty simple. This particular tutorial here still isnt really working though. I did find another on youtube that seems to work ok.

[Rigu]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial, going to give it a go on some of my portraits.

[ccting]

Hmm, I need snapshots of those steps as I am total noob of photoshop... please..perhaps by example?

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by ccting

Hmm, I need snapshots of those steps as I am total noob of photoshop... please..perhaps by example?

I couldn't make it any easier. Follow all the steps in order and look at the red arrows in the picture to see where all the tools are

Here's how I use it: (for selctive sharpening)
1) Control J to make new layer
2) Go to Filter>Other>High Pass. The image will get all grey and funky looking. I set the radius between 6 and 25...it will vary with each image
3) In the layers palette change from Normal to Overlay
4) Hold the Alt key and click on the little mask icon on the bottom of the layers palette. The image will revert to it's previous setting
5) Select a soft white brush and paint over the area you want to sharpen. (like the eyes) Finish by adjusting the opacity slider for the amount you want
6) Flatten layer

For selective softening:
1) Follow step 1-3 above
2) Click Ctrl I to invert sharpening to blurring
3) Continue with steps 4-6 above


High Pass by vmontalbano, on Flickr

[ccting]

What is the difference in effectiveness between skin smoothing in light room vs photoshop?
Ty.

[premgaire]

Thank you so much! I just learnt the meaning of "Overlay" while trying out your steps on one of my art picture! Actually I hadn't bothered to search for it's meaning on Google but anyway, I have learnt it now!

[Madog]

What is the difference in effectiveness between skin smoothing in light room vs photoshop?
Ty.

The additonal tools in PS; layers, blending modes, filters (like high pass), customizable brushes and masks; allow for more control and the ability to achieve more "subtle" or effective smoothing than using just the adjustment brush and clarity in LR.

Nice tutorial. Thanks for taking the time

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Madog

The additonal tools in PS; layers, blending modes, filters (like high pass), customizable brushes and masks; allow for more control and the ability to achieve more "subtle" or effective smoothing than using just the adjustment brush and clarity in LR.

Nice tutorial. Thanks for taking the time

thx...glad you liked the tut