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Tutorial 004: 5 Minute Photoshop Fixes For Photographers: Part 1

While there is alot to be said for settling down for a mammoth Photoshop session where you tinker and tweak an image into pristine glory, there are times when you just want a quick solution.  And to be honest, a lot of common problems can be sorted out in a matter of minutes.
    Over the next few tutorials im going to be sharing some of the quick techniques i use when time, patience, or concentraition are in short supply.  We'll be fixing obvious problems such as dull colour or soft edges in addition to looking at creative solutions for pepping up an image.  Sometimes a photo will only ever be okay no matter how bright its colours or how in focus it is.  However, by giving it a sepia effect, for example, you can create an entirely different image that has the ability to really stand out.
    Each of the fixes are detailed in three easy-to-follow steps, most with a short introduction on the process.  So load up Photoshop or Elements and get started on pixel-perfect pictures now!

Correct Color Casts

Pull a natural hue out of a poorly coloured picture

What you'll need...

• Photoshop
• Starting Photo (Download Here)

What I used...

• Photoshop CS5

You could try...

• Photoshop CS and above
• Photoshop Elements

    We may not notice the difference between, for example, the light generated by a fluorescent bulb and a hologen one, but photographs sure do, as images taken with different light sources will show great differences in colour.

    Not accounting for this sensitivity can generate an image with a distinct tint.  These off-colour photos are known as 'colour casts' and are usually the result of a photograph taken with an inaccurate white balance setting.

    When out on a shoot, you can compensate for this by setting the white balance on the camera, or letting the sensor do it for you.

    But do not fear if you have already snapped away without white balancing.  Once you are back at your editing station, you can correct this by re-maping the the white, grey or black points, as this allows the colours to settle back into the more expected values.

   If you've gotten a photograph that has an unwanted colour cast (Sometimes an improper white balanced photograph is taken on purpose), then here are the three simple steps to follow to easily remove all but the most drastic of colour casts and get the tones just right for your picture.

1 Add adjustment layers.  Begin by adding a Curves adjustment layer.  Look for the black-and-white circle icon at the foot of the Layers palette. Clicking on that icon activates a drop down list of available adjustment layers, then simply select the Curves option from there.

2 Black and white points.  To the left of the graph you'll see three eyedropper icons.  Click the black eyedropper and then a part of your image that is completely black.  Likewise, use the white eyedropper in the same way to sample the brightest pixels to set the white point.

3 Kill the colour cast.  Using the grey eyedropper is the most effective and most difficult step in the process.  The goal is to sample a pixel that should be 50% grey.  This may take a few attempts before getting a good setting.  If the first click yields poor results, try another spot.  No need to use "undo" (ctrl+z), just keep clicking till you find the right pixel.

Better, Brighter Skies

Chase away dull skies with this easy repair

• Starting Photo (download here)

1 Select a sky.  Begin by using the Quick Selection tool to select your sky area.  If the tool grabs areas of the image you dont want, hold down the Alt key and paint over the area.  Depending on your version, the selection can be edited using the Refine Edge button.

2  New Masked Layer.  While still selected, press the Add new layer button at the foot of the Layers palette.  The selection is converted into a mask for this layer.  This will limit the effect to the sky, and having it on a new layer protects the original from alterations.  Set this layer's blending mode to Overlay.

3 Fade away the dull.  Set your foreground colour to sky blue.  Grab the Gradient tool and use the Foreground to Transparent preset in Options.  Set the mode to Linear, click at the top of your canvas and drag down towards the horizon to create a blue gradient that fades away.

COMING SOON:

Part 2 Boost Colours and Sharpness

Part 3 Rich Sepia Tones & Fake Focal Blur

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