assignment: Color Correction Part 4

download these 6 images for the assignment

These images have color casts or slight exposure problems. Each image will need to be color corrected or enhanced. Each image will need multiple correction layers utilizing your layer masking skills.

Color Correction and Image Enhancement

Every image made could use some finessing. The image out of the camera is like the negative in film days. We can take the raw material and make it say what we want, pop the color, move the eye to the subject. This is the next step in defining your vision as a photographer. Controlling the image, moving the viewers eye to where/what you want to communicate.

•Color Correct/Enhance your images (using adjustment layers. work global to local. You will want more than one layer for this assignment. Remember vibrance, color balance levels, curves, Hue and saturation, etc.) The more images you correct and enhance the faster you will become. You will see what needs correcting or adjusting with practice, look at shadows, highlights, contrast. explore and have fun. Use a curve to adjust contrast -DO NOT USE THE BRIGHTNESS CONTRAST ADJUSTMENT LAYER -you do not have the control with this a curve you can pinpoint where you want the contrast in what range of the image-

•Start with a global correction. This can be done as a layer or in Camera Raw. If the file was started in Camera Raw Let me know. Add a note when you turn in the assignment. Remember all .jpg and Tiff files can be opened in ACR - Adobe Camera Raw
•Then work on localized corrections enhancements
(I will be looking for Adjustment Layers and masks on all files turned in for this assignment)

Turn In:
Save As .psd.
Keep all layers, do not flatten (you could have 2-10 adjustment layers, maybe more, affecting different parts of the image)

TITLE INFO: please name files: Last name_First initial_project#_image #.extension
Example: Smith_M_CC4_1.PSD, Smith_M_CC4_2.PSD, Smith_M_CC4_3.PSD, Smith_M_CC4_4.PSD

TURN IN YOUR 6 LAYERED IMAGES:
File specs:
•2160 pixels, longest side
•240ppi
•Adobe RGB 1998
•8 bit file-

Examples: Take a look at the layers and use of layer masks to reveal corrections to a part of the image.

S-car-goS-car-goOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

RockRockOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Cosmo_GarageCosmo_GarageOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

SnowSnowOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

StratStrat

 

 

Tip:
•Lighten a photo by duplicating the background layer and changing the layer blend mode to Screen.

•Darken a Photo by duplicating the background layer and changing the layer blend mode to multiply.
•What happens if after you change the blend mode you duplicate that layer again? if you change the layers opacity?
•Remember you can use a layer mask on the duplicated layer to reveal the original layers density.

 

How To: dodge and burn using a layer

DON’T USE THAT DODGE AND BURN TOOL
THE BETTER WAY TO DODGE AND BURN

METHOD 1
1) Find a Photo that needs dodging and burning
2) Make a new layer
Menu -Layer – New – Layer
(You need to access the new layer through the menu to bring up the dialogue box.
OR hold down the option key while clicking the new layer icon at the
bottom of the layers palette; this also brings up the dialogue box)



3) Mode Choose: Soft Light
and
click the box fill with soft – light – neutral color (50% gray)
4) Click OK
When looking at the Layers Panel notice the new layer is 50% gray when you paint with white and black you will see the layer change.
5) Choose brush tool, choose a large soft brush, lower the opacity in the options bar to 10-30%
-White Dodges
-Black Burns

As you paint over an area, again and again, you are building up density, increasing the effect of the dodge or burn.

TIP:
“D” on the keyboard resets the colors to the default white and black
“X” on the keyboard takes you back and forth between the foreground and background colors

METHOD 2
1) Find a Photo that needs dodging and burning
2) Make a new transparent layer. Change the mode in the layers palette to soft light
-White Dodges
-Black Burns