Photoshop Help (CS1) - High contrast in image

[d2frette]

I'm hoping some of you can help me out. I have a landscape photo that has a bright sky and dark land mass.

I would like to edit the two independently. I've used the used the selection range tool to get two ranges, land and sky. Now, I think the next step is to add an adjustment layer with a mask for each of the two (1 adjusment layer with mask for land and another adjustment layer with mask for sky).

I've tried right-clicking the mask tied to my adjustment layer and selecting "Intersect Layer Mask with Selection," but that didn't seem to work. [see attached image]

So, how can I accomplish this?

[d2frette]

Nevermind. I figured it out.

[Gordon]

You might want to try applying a gaussian blur to your masks, so that the transitions aren't quite so abrupt.

Once you've selected the mask - click on it to make it active - do a Filter - gaussian blur to soften the edges.

Next, pull up the levels dialog (again on the mask) and move the mid-point/grey point slider left/ right to adjust the center point of the mask transition. You can pull the black/ white point sliders to adjust the abruptness of the transition too (or use the curves dialog to increase/ decrease the contrast for similar impact to the mask)

[d2frette]

So would that help this picture?

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by d2frette

So would that help this picture?

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...1&d=1145031865

In terms of hiding the mask effects from the sky to the rock - yes. You've got quite a noticeable line (particularly in the right hand side, where the rock and is 'in' the sky) Same with the line between the rock and distant mountains on the left.

Though those could just be sharpening halos, but I suspect it is having a 0:255 mask (I.e., an abrupt line) Light doesn't naturally switch on/off like that in these scenes, there is diffusion around most things that tends to soften those edges (even with sunlight hitting a straight edge, you'll see some glow with most materials, because there's some spill and often some translucence as well)

[d2frette]

Ah, ok. When I get a chance, I'll go back to my file and try it. Thanks!

[blonboy]

David~

Mind if I take a shot at a retouch?

[d2frette]

Fire away. I don't have access to my PSD file now, though. Want me to email it later?

[blonboy]

I just pulled down the image you posted up.

This may not even be what you're after.......

For some reason, what im posting does NOT look like my edits......the posted image is much darker than what i see on my monitor during editing. My apologies - i tried.

[d2frette]

Thanks for trying blonboy. It's difficult to do when there are so many monitors involved, espically uncalibrated ones like mine at work and home.

Your sky looks richer, but the west rim looses a little detail. Were you using curves, levels, or other? It does look like your mask worked well. I definitely was using a straight edge mask, not a blurred edge mask.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by blonboy

I just pulled down the image you posted up.

This may not even be what you're after.......

For some reason, what im posting does NOT look like my edits......the posted image is much darker than what i see on my monitor during editing. My apologies - i tried.

http://www.matthewjames.com/online_p...forum/dave.png

The problem is most likely differences in the colour space you were working in (if you don't convert it to sRGB before saving, it'll look wrong in a browser)

[GonzoBernelli]

I've purchased and read Margulis' "Canyon Conundrum" which deals with LAB color. Here is my attempt (hope you don't mind)...

[d2frette]

Wow - I like that. Mind explaining what you did?

[GonzoBernelli]

Here goes, at least as best I can remember

Image/Mode/LAB Color
Add adjustment layer (curves - 10 divisions)
a channel - top RHS moved 1 division to left, bottom LSH moved 1 division to right
b channel - same as a
L channel - USM 80-1.4-3
flatten
Image/Mode/RGB

It was about a 30 second fix, but still needs more tweaking since there is a cyan cast in the clouds, which should be more white/gray.

[d2frette]

Do you happen to be using CS2? Mine isn't turing out quite so well. I don't get the option for divisions with curves. I've tried using anchor weights to help with dividing the curves, but it's not a 30second deal when doing so.