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Enhancing shadow detail in Photoshop

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Don Schultz said:
Hi Thomas:
I only have Photoshop 6.01 so I don't have any knowledge of the
history brush but if you switch the foreground to black you can go
back and correct wherever you were too aggressive. You can also
fade the opacity to vary the effect.
Don.
Click to expand...
I know what you're doing. You're waiting for 8.0 to come out so you can get that free RAW converter:-) I think upgrades are some $150.00US plus shipping.

Fading the opacity works. I was just in there kicking with a 300 brush at a 100%, to knock your example out real quick and figured the history brush would make it easy to go back and clean up the overly agressive brush strokes. Well..... I was wrong:-)
 
dimage said:
Thomas,

I don't know if there is a problem in my directions, but I am
running Photoshop 7.0 with the the 7.0.1 update. At what step did
it not work?

What you suggest would mostly work other than the "lighten" option.
As you say, working in layers lets you tweak things.
Click to expand...
dimage said:
dimage said:
dimage said:
1. Duplicate Layer
2. Filter-> Other-> High Pass set radius very large (say 40 pixels)
3. Set Layer options to "Lighten"
4. Adjust layer opacity to blend (say about 25%, but this depends a
lot on what you are starting with).

The high pass filter digs out any detail in the shadows. Using the
layer option of "Lighten" makes is affect mostly the dark areas.
Click to expand...
Tried doing your above and couldn't make it work on version 7.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I was fine up to 3. I went to "Layer" and couldn't find "Layer options to "Lighten" with:-O

Hence the work around with Filter> High Pass and then Edit> Fade High Pass. I think it does the same thing as what you suggested.
 
VG said:
The images are processed with two of my VG super actions. If I get
enough response, I may put up a tutorial on how to do this.
Click to expand...
I'm always interested in learning how to pull more detail out of the shadows without affecting the highlights.

So yes. Please say what your "VG super actions" are.
 
I just used standard curves with this picture... Am I missing something here? I just loaded up and adjusted the curves to enhance the darker areas plus increase the overall picture. All this in a few seconds.


dimage said:
Notice how you can now see detail in the back of the room that was
originally very dark.

Before:
http://www.fototime.com/ {D1444F39-6EB4-46E3-88CE-DDD3E522F916} picture.JPG

After (Duplicate Layer, High Pass Radius 40 Pixels, Layer Option =
Lighten, and Opacity = 40%):

http://www.fototime.com/ {1EE22038-5174-4CE3-9CB8-E3092EF8737F} picture.JPG
dimage said:
The high pass filter digs out any detail in the shadows. Using the
layer option of "Lighten" makes is affect mostly the dark areas.

You can then do things like Layer Masks to make sure you only
affect the areas you want affecting but this may not be necessary.
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
jwinberg1 said:
THANK YOU one and all, these are exactly the approaches I was
looking for! I now have an abundance of techniques to play with.
This is a really HELPFUL group!

Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
here are two images:
an original and an adjusted one

I used a duplicate layer and chose screen as a blend mode, added a mask to the layer and painted the orig exposure back into the sky and trees with the brush tool, varying the size and opacity of the brush, if you arent sure where you are "painting" go to channels> mask and make it visible. the default masking color will probably be red, and continue there. the beauty of this is that once the mask is complete you're good to go to duplicate the new layer along with its screen mode and mask and bring the shadows up again, and again!

http://www.pbase.com/image/13458351

http://www.pbase.com/image/10802164

--
http://www.pbase.com/billyb2
 

Bill Brennan said:
jwinberg1 said:
THANK YOU one and all, these are exactly the approaches I was
looking for! I now have an abundance of techniques to play with.
This is a really HELPFUL group!

Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
here are two images:
an original and an adjusted one
I used a duplicate layer and chose screen as a blend mode, added a
mask to the layer and painted the orig exposure back into the sky
and trees with the brush tool, varying the size and opacity of the
brush, if you arent sure where you are "painting" go to
channels> mask and make it visible. the default masking color will
probably be red, and continue there. the beauty of this is that
once the mask is complete you're good to go to duplicate the new
layer along with its screen mode and mask and bring the shadows up
again, and again!

http://www.pbase.com/image/13458351

http://www.pbase.com/image/10802164

--
http://www.pbase.com/billyb2
Click to expand...
--

D-30 CANON 7E SONY CD 1000 420 EX PENTAX ME SUPER VIVITAR 3900 FLASH SONY CAM.
 
Thomas,

Like I said, if I get enough response, I may take the time to make up a lite version of just the shadow detail action. So far I've only gotten a half dozen or so responses. I still haven't seen anything that comes close to it for a one click solution. And with the custom layer masking, the tweaks are endless.

The VG Super Actions include a custom sketcher effects, painter effects, contrast masker, shadow detail, soft sharp, super sharp, etc. Here is a link to an almost complete list of them:
http://www.vizualgroove.com/digitalimaging/vgactionlist.htm
Gotta get back to work,
VG
Thomas Gardner said:
VG said:
The images are processed with two of my VG super actions. If I get
enough response, I may put up a tutorial on how to do this.
Click to expand...
I'm always interested in learning how to pull more detail out of
the shadows without affecting the highlights.

So yes. Please say what your "VG super actions" are.
Click to expand...
 
The "Lay Options" is the box on top of the "Layer Pallete." It usually has a white box that says "Normal." Click on the down arrow next to "Normal" and you get the options.
Thomas Gardner said:
dimage said:
Thomas,

I don't know if there is a problem in my directions, but I am
running Photoshop 7.0 with the the 7.0.1 update. At what step did
it not work?

What you suggest would mostly work other than the "lighten" option.
As you say, working in layers lets you tweak things.
Click to expand...
Thomas Gardner said:
Thomas Gardner said:
dimage said:
1. Duplicate Layer
2. Filter-> Other-> High Pass set radius very large (say 40 pixels)
3. Set Layer options to "Lighten"
4. Adjust layer opacity to blend (say about 25%, but this depends a
lot on what you are starting with).

The high pass filter digs out any detail in the shadows. Using the
layer option of "Lighten" makes is affect mostly the dark areas.
Click to expand...
Tried doing your above and couldn't make it work on version 7.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I was fine up to 3. I went to "Layer" and couldn't find "Layer
options to "Lighten" with:-O

Hence the work around with Filter> High Pass and then Edit> Fade High
Pass. I think it does the same thing as what you suggested.
Click to expand...
 
BIll,

Will you provide step by step instructions on how you did this.

I followed you all the way to adding a mask to the layer...but can't seem to be able to paint the original exposure back.
Bill Brennan said:
jwinberg1 said:
THANK YOU one and all, these are exactly the approaches I was
looking for! I now have an abundance of techniques to play with.
This is a really HELPFUL group!

Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
here are two images:
an original and an adjusted one
I used a duplicate layer and chose screen as a blend mode, added a
mask to the layer and painted the orig exposure back into the sky
and trees with the brush tool, varying the size and opacity of the
brush, if you arent sure where you are "painting" go to
channels> mask and make it visible. the default masking color will
probably be red, and continue there. the beauty of this is that
once the mask is complete you're good to go to duplicate the new
layer along with its screen mode and mask and bring the shadows up
again, and again!

http://www.pbase.com/image/13458351

http://www.pbase.com/image/10802164

--
http://www.pbase.com/billyb2
Click to expand...
--
Home page - http://home.attbi.com/~lozoyad
 
Never mind...I solved it. Thanks for the great tip.
David Lozoya said:
Will you provide step by step instructions on how you did this.

I followed you all the way to adding a mask to the layer...but
can't seem to be able to paint the original exposure back.
Bill Brennan said:
jwinberg1 said:
THANK YOU one and all, these are exactly the approaches I was
looking for! I now have an abundance of techniques to play with.
This is a really HELPFUL group!

Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
here are two images:
an original and an adjusted one
I used a duplicate layer and chose screen as a blend mode, added a
mask to the layer and painted the orig exposure back into the sky
and trees with the brush tool, varying the size and opacity of the
brush, if you arent sure where you are "painting" go to
channels> mask and make it visible. the default masking color will
probably be red, and continue there. the beauty of this is that
once the mask is complete you're good to go to duplicate the new
layer along with its screen mode and mask and bring the shadows up
again, and again!

http://www.pbase.com/image/13458351

http://www.pbase.com/image/10802164

--
http://www.pbase.com/billyb2
Click to expand...
--
Home page - http://home.attbi.com/~lozoyad
Click to expand...
--
Home page - http://home.attbi.com/~lozoyad
 
VG said:
I still haven't seen
anything that comes close to it for a one click solution.
Click to expand...
to purchase, or available for download somewhere?? I would like to try it out or purchase it if it is as good as you say :-)

-John
 
I love what you did, VG.

Can you give us a tutorial on what you did?

Thanks
VG said:
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
John,

It or none of the others are available for download. They are my production actions and as such rely on a rather unorthodox use of PS and a couple of other programs. I'm pretty busy beta testing for the Caligari corporation (TrueSpace) and don't have the time right now to go into detail how they work.

The imaging on my site and the sites that I develop utilize these actions and the quality and versatility of them keep me in business....hehe.
VG
JohnM said:
JohnM31499 said:
I still haven't seen
anything that comes close to it for a one click solution.
Click to expand...
to purchase, or available for download somewhere?? I would like to
try it out or purchase it if it is as good as you say :-)

-John
Click to expand...
 
See the above reply to John.
Thanx for the complement,
VG
marianco said:
Can you give us a tutorial on what you did?

Thanks
VG said:
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
There are atleast two techniques.

1 copy and use layer mask
2 Curves

The first option is easy to understand and control while curves require detailed understanding. Curves produces the best effect as demostrated by a previous reply.

I am learning myself so no advice other than my opinion.
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
 
VG - I would be interested too,

Henrik
VG said:
Thomas Gardner said:
VG said:
The images are processed with two of my VG super actions. If I get
enough response, I may put up a tutorial on how to do this.
Click to expand...
I'm always interested in learning how to pull more detail out of
the shadows without affecting the highlights.

So yes. Please say what your "VG super actions" are.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--

too much to carry!! but a lot of fun to use
 
This works well and I built an action with these steps.

http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/contrast_masking.shtml
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
--
Tom
 
Probably one of the most overlooked one click shadow finders in PS is Select - Color Range - Shadows. Once this selection is made, just press Ctrl-J (Copy layer) and sit back and slap yourself.
This is #1. There are a bait more where that one came from.
Later,
VG
Tom C said:
http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/contrast_masking.shtml
jwinberg1 said:
In the past, I have seen a procedure described that pulls
remarkable detail from dense, underexposed shadows. It involved
the use of layers in Photoshop, and I cannot locate the thread(s)
after many attempts.

I would be MOST grateful for any pointers in thi right direction.
I have some zoo shots of an orangutan face with hopelessly
underexposed eye areas.

Thanks in advance.................... Jack Winberg
Click to expand...
--
Tom
Click to expand...
 
dimage said:
The "Lay Options" is the box on top of the "Layer Pallete." It
usually has a white box that says "Normal." Click on the down
arrow next to "Normal" and you get the options.
Click to expand...
Okay class!!!! In my best offensive nasal twang.

I want you to do this series of steps twenty-five times, until you can do it in you sleep. When you come back tomorrow, we'll go to step two:-)

The darkroom was never this hard:-)

You burned, you dodged, you threw a box of paper away. It was simple:-)
 
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