How to Lighten up an Image

How to lighten up a dark photo

This very simple tutorial is based on Photoshop CS4. It will work on a CS3 and CS2 version as well.

A very easy and effective way to lighten up a dark photo is to use Shadows/Highlights! You will be surprised about the impact!

This exercise will explain in easy 3 Steps how to lighten up a dark photo:

• Use a dark photo or use our sample photo
• Use the Shadows/Highlights (Image Adjustments)
• Save file as a jpg

Step 1

Either use a photo that you have and open it in Photoshop (Ctrl + O or File>Open)

Alternatively just use our sample photo. You can right click it and choose copy and when in Photoshop start a new document (Ctrl + N or File>New Document) and paste the image with Ctrl + V.

Step 2

To actually lighten the image up go to Image>Adjustments>Shadows/Highlights and change the amounts of the Shadows (I chose 57%) and Highlights (I chose 9%). If you untick and tick the Preview box you can see the changes that will happen.
Okay the changes!

Step 3

Save the image as a jpg (Ctrl + S or File>Save).

Masking For Beginners

Learning how to apply masks for the ‘Masking Impaired’

by Jonathan Scutt

Photoshop Exercise – Combining Filters

By Chris Reeves

Step 1: Opening a new file

When opening a new file make sure your settings are 15 by 10 cm and 150 pixels per inch. Make Sure it is set to RGB colour.

 

Step 2: Foreground Colours

Set the foreground colour to blue and the background to white.

 

Step 3:  Filter 1

On the toolbar go to filter, select render and then fiber. After that is selected set the variance and strength options both to ten and click ok.

 

Step 4:  Liquify

In the Filter menu you then select liquify which will open up another menu which  will then allow you to select the twirl icon on the left to manipulate the image.

 

Step 5 : Duplicating the background

Now you need to create a duplicate of your background layer.

If you drag the layer (eg click and drag by the name of the layer) in the Layer Panel to the New Layer Icon (see image below) you will automatically create a duplicate of the layer.

Alternatively you can just left click on the menu button in the top right corner of the Layer Panel (see image below) and select ‘Duplicate Layer’.

 

Step 6: Filter 2

Once again go to the filter menu but now  go to the sketch section and select chrome.

You will then get a menu with the option Detail on it. Set it to 0.

Step 7 : Inverting the image

Now you must invert the image. Select image, adjustment and then click invert

 

Step 8: Layer Blending

Now to blend the layers. To do this you select  Layer ,  Layer style and then blending options.

Once you’ve made the selection you  then chose linear light.

Step 9: Final Product.

You should now have and image like this.

Layer Management – Renaming, Converting and Deleting Layers.

By Flyingroxy

This is a very basic exercise for absolute beginners that will simplify your Photoshop experience. 

Each layer is automatically given a generic name. It is a good idea to rename each layer with a descriptive name to avoid confusion later. 

Step 1 – Renaming layers

Double-click the layer name and the name should highlight.

Type in a new name for the layer. (Name it anything) and then click elsewhere.

Remember that you can’t rename or move the Background layer.

Step 2 - Converting the background layer

The Background layer acts like the canvas of an image. To be able to manipulate the Background layer just like other layers, you can convert it to a layer.

Double-click the Background layer and type in a new name (optional) and Click OK.

Step 3 - Deleting layers

Select the layer in the Layers palette and click on the Delete layer icon at the bottom of the Layers palette and click Yes on the warning box.  Alternatively you can drag the layer on the Delete layer icon.

Step 4 - It’s Finished                                                                                                  Those are the basic steps you need to know about layers.

Feathering an Image

By Chris Reeves

This is a simple exercise to demonstrate how to feather an image.

Step 1 New File

Go to the Menu bar, select File and then New.

Step 2  Choose an image

Select an image to be feathered

 

Step 3  Change Feather setting and use Elliptical  Marquee

First change the Feather setting to 15 px

Next use the elliptical marquee to select the desired area.

Its best to have your cursor at the center of what your selecting then you can hold down the ALT button as well to make it easier.

 

 

Step 4  Final steps

After using the Elliptical marquee  on the desired area you then

Use control C  to  make  copy what you’ve done

Press control N to open a new file

Then control V to paste it into the new file

Your final image should look something like this.

Make a Ball-like Shape in Adobe Photoshop CS3 – by xjh

 Step 1 – Open a new document

 

Menu path: File > New,  then you get Figure 1; then click OK.

Figure 1: Open a new doc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2 -  Select Elliptical Marquee Tool

Figure 2: Select Elliptical Marquee tool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3 – Draw a Perfect Circle

 

Hint: While drawing the circle, hold the SHIFT key, this will let you draw a perfect circle.

Figure 3: Draw a circle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4 – Fill the circle with 50% grey

 

Menu path: Edit >Fill…, then you get Figure 4.1; then click OK.

Figure 4.1: Fill the circle with 50% gray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4.2: A gray circle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5 -Add noise to the gray circle

 

Menu path: Filter >Noise >Add Noise…, then you get Figure 5.1; then click OK.

Figure 5.1: Adding noise to the circle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5.2: The noise-added circle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6 – Select the filter  Spherize

 

Menu path: Filter >Distort >Spherize…, then you get Figure 6; then click OK.

Figure 6: The filter - Spherize

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step7 – A ball-like shape

 

Hint: Usually, Step 6 should be repeated 4 or 5 times or so in order to make the shape much more like a ball.

Figure 7: A ball-like shape

Signed by: xjh…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 That is all.

Basic Photoshop Exercise

Or how to reconstruct my cat’s lost eye…

By u63n

This is a basic Photoshop exercise, you will learn to

•  import an image
•  copy a layer
•  flip (mirror) an image
•  create and apply a layer mask
•  save a file as a Jpeg.

 Step 1 – Import image

Cat

   news.bbc.co.uk/…/uk_cat_contenders/html/4.stm

Right click on the image of the one eyed cat and select copy. Go to Photoshop page and select Ctrl+n (or select file/new document from the drop down menu). Press enter on the new doc panel, paste the image into the new window by pressing Ctrl+V.

Step 2 – Copying layer

Copy the layer with the photo by dragging the layer (left mouse click and hold and drag) directly into the New Layer Icon. See Image.
Alternatively use the short cut Ctrl+J.

Step 3 – Flipping

Edit > Transform > Flip horizontally.

Step 4 – Lasso

Select the eye on the top layer (the one you just flipped) using the Polygon Lasso tool.  (It is located below the Lasso tool and can be activated by left clicking and holding the cursor above the tool and then clicking the Polygon Lasso tool once it shows.)

Step 5 – Layer Mask

After the selection click on layer mask.

 

 

Step 6 – Move

Use the  move tool to drag the eye into position.

Step 7 – (Opitional)

If needed press ctrl+T (free transform) and rotate the eye to the position of your choose.

Step 8 – Brush

Click on the layer mask to activate it + use the brush tool + set black as the foreground colour .

Next draw on top of the sections that you want to hide. You will notice that they disappear if you applid the mask by clicking on it.

Step 9 – Applying the layer mask

Right click on the layer mask + click on apply layer mask.

Step 10 – SAVE IT!

Save as  Name.jpeg (Ctrl+S or File>Save)

Create Your Own Photoshop Brush – Basic Tutorial

By Flyingroxy

Here is a very simple exercise to try out when you you have time. It’s quick and easy and a very necessary tool to know how to use.

In Photoshop, There is a big range of brush types to choose from. Not all are regular round shapes. 

Step 1 – List of Brushes

Select any tool that uses the brush options, display the brush options and you get a list of custom brushes as seen below.

Step 2 – Custom Brushes and Create Own Brush

Scroll far down the list and you’ll see some custom brushes that simulate various types of brushes, pens and charcoal.

So how do you make your own? You just need to start with the picture you want to use as the beginning for your brush and then begin.

Step 3 – Select Image

In the example below, we’ve opened a picture that represents one of the finest logos going around, MTV. You, however, may select a different image.

Step 4 – Copy the part that you want to use as a new brush

Start by selecting the image that you want to use and then go to Edit>Copy (in the drop down menu) or use the short cut Ctrl + C  to copy the selection to the page.

From the Edit menu>Define Brush Preset and Enter a suitable name (such as image) in the Pattern Name box>Click ok.

Step 5 – Test And Save Brush

Create a blank image to test your brush on and save it and then your new brush will be selected in the brushes palette and will be at the end of the list.

Finished

If you want to make sure your brush is kept in case you need to re-install photoshop, you can save it. From the Brush options, display the menu (top right corner of the options. About halfway down the list you will see a Save Brushes option, which allows you to save the set.

Create a Planet – Basic Photoshop Tutorial

By Chris Reeves

This is a simple exercise to help you learn about and use the many PhotoShop tools and to see what kinds of inventive techniques you can use.

Step 1 New File

Go to the Menu bar, select File and then New.

Step 2 Dialogue Box

A dialog box  will appear. Look for the labels WIDTH and HEIGHT. Click on the down arrow and change the options to PIXELS. Then make the WIDTH  200 pixels then the HEIGHT  200 pixels.

Next you’ll see the word Colour Mode in the same dialogue box. Make sure that the file is in RGB mode and click OK.

 

Step 3 Foreground Colour

In the Toolbar on the left hand side, click on the Current Colour Selection tool at the bottom for the Foreground. You’ll see the Colour Picker box appear. Select a light blue and click OK.                                               

Step 4 Background Colour

Next click on the Background box (also in the Current Colour Selection tool) and select a DARKER blue for the background colour.                    

Step 5 Filter 1

Go to the Menu bar and select Filter -> Render -> Clouds.

The clouds filter uses the foreground and background colours you have chosen to create a clouds effect.

Step 6 Filter 2

Then return to the Menu bar and select Filter -> Render -> Lighting Effects.

You will see your image with an ellipse drawn around it. Click on one of the small circles on the edge of the ellipse and change the shape to a circle that is centered inside your image.

Step 7 Focus

On the right side of the dialog box, you will see a Focus setting. Click and drag that to about 14-15 and then click ok.

Step 8 You’re Done

You’re Finished.

Image Correction With Levels

How to lighten up a dark photo using Levels

This exercise is good if you need to lighten up a dark photo. Just follow the steps below to do this simple task. You will learn how to:

• Copy and paste an image
• Adjust the Levels
• Save a file as a JPEG
• Use Auto Levels

 

Step 1 – Copy and paste image

Right click on the under exposed image and select copy. Go to Photoshop page and select Ctrl+n (or select file/new document from the drop down menu). Press enter on the new document panel, paste the image into the new window by pressing Ctrl+V.

Step 2 – Adjust Levels

Choose image > Adjustment > Levels. To reduce the tonal range of the photograph to a more ideal range, drag the middle slider toward the left where the histogram begins to climb. This will force those shades of black to lighter values while still retaining the lighter tones on the right side of the histogram.

Example of Levels Histogram

Step 3 – Save Image

Histogram after Adjustment

Choose File > Save > As JPEG.

  

Step 4 – Alternative Step:

A quick way to adjust the levels of an image is using Auto-Levels:
Choose image > Adjustment > Auto Levels (or short cut: Ctrl+Shft+L)

The results are amazing!