Does anyone use Luminsoity Masks?

[my3peas]

As seen here: Tony Kuyper Tutorial and actions

I'm still getting the hang of it. It's really been helping in my PP, especially on those photos that are on the verge of being blown.

I don't think I have seen it posted here?

[Daniel Bates]

I use the same general idea but not the way he does it - I'll have to experiment with this some. Thanks for the link!

[Texentric]

I've used something similar also, described in an article by John Paul Caponigro. His method involves clicking each of the R-G-B channels to decide the tonal values you want to mask, then dragging that channel down to the load selection icon. Then click Layer-->new adjustment layer-->curves, and it does the same type of mask. You can invert the mask to affect the opposite tones.

I've found that it will saturate the colors a lot if you're not careful with your curve, and you tend to get carried away, thinking "Hey this looks cool." Then later when reviewing the pic you'll realize the colors are not really natural, so it's best to let the image sit a while and come back to it later with fresh eyes.

Overall though it's a cool technique to know.

[engstrom]

Very similiar masking technique to the one John Stovall posted a link to a while ago on B&W conversions. Thanks for the link though. I downloaded the action and will go back and donate if I end up using them much.

[SaundraU]

HMMMM I did step by step on one of my images and when I got to the curves part it turned it red?

[engstrom]

Saundra, what turned red? Your picture? Did it turn red after you modified the curves or before?

[DigitalScape]

To help on enhancing contrast (non-curves based) I use the technique explained in the tutorial section of luminous-landscape.com (http://luminous-landscape.com/tutori...masking.shtml). This is not for every picture, and does take a little experimentation.

[SaundraU]

Originally Posted by engstrom

Saundra, what turned red? Your picture? Did it turn red after you modified the curves or before?

The photo, before I modified and after I modified it stayed red.....

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by SaundraU

The photo, before I modified and after I modified it stayed red.....

Did you happen to accidentally hit the backslash key '\' which puts you in quick mask mode?

[SaundraU]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Did you happen to accidentally hit the backslash key '\' which puts you in quick mask mode?

Nope

[my3peas]

Thanks for the other info links! I just read a profile on John Paul Caponigro in After Capture. I'll be looking into his tutorials more!

Saundra, I wish I could help you figure it out. It's not done that for me.

[SaundraU]

No problem, not sure what caused it the first time but it hasn't since.