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Painting with Light
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morpheus1870 on 29 May, 2008 08:14:00
 
PWL allows us to deepen shadows and brighten highlights, achieving that "pop"
all without changing the original image. As with most photoshop techniques there
are many ways to achieve the same results however for this tutorial we will be
using two curves adjustment layers.
Original flat looking image
Step 1 - Open your image and create your first curves adjustment layer similar
to the one below. This will brighten your image. Rename this layer to
"highlights". Now click on the adjustment layer mask and invert the mask so it
turns black. You can do this by pressing shift+i.
Note: By filling a layer/adjustment mask with black the effects of the
adjustment are no longer visible, this will allow us to selectively paint in the
changes later.
Step 2 - Create a second curves adjustment layer but this time drag the curve
line down increasing the shadows and midtones. Rename this layer to "shadows".
Once again invert the adjustment layer mask.
You should now have two adjustment layers above your original image (shadows &
highlights) which we will work on using the Brush tool (b).
Step 3 - Select the brush tool with a hardness of 0% and white as the
foreground colour. Now select your "highlight" curves adjustment layer mask and
begin painting in areas of highlights.
Note: You will probably find the results are too strong so adjust the opacity
of the brush to around 5-10% and gradually build up the highlights. Use the
original highlights in the image as a guide where to paint however you may wish
to add your own artificial areas of light but don't overdo it. The size of your
brush will vary according to your image.
Step 4 - Select your "shadows" curves adjustment layer mask and begin painting
in areas of shadow. Once again vary the opacity and brush size to suit.
Slowly build up highlights and shadows switching between the two adjustment
layers as required. As we are working on layer masks we can remove any unwanted
areas by simply switching back to black. Using the shortcut "x" allows you to do
this quickly, whilst the your keyboard numbers 1-0 allow you to change the
opacity of a brush in increments of ten and the [ ] keys allow you to change the
brush size.
Once you are happy with your results you can flatten your image.
Additional steps performed
*"S" shape curve to boost contrast even more   	*Hue/sat layer with colorize
ticked to add some colour to the mono image	*Sharpening	*Add noise
Another example of PWL using curves adjustment layers. Here I also created some
selective colour and colour balance layers and painted on the masks as in step 3
& 4.
Before
After
(Original photograph taken by U.S. Army Cpl. Bertha Flores) (Released)
Enjoy!!