Hi everyone!
Here is a tutorial I've been working on for anyone that is new to photo editing. I wanted to show you two very easy ways to dramatically enhance the colours, contrast and light balance in your photos. I work in Photoshop, but I think that the methods I show would be fairly similar in other photo editing software.
So, if you look at the image above, you can see how much you can improve photos that come out a bit dull and dark, but this is also a great way to make good shots stand out even more!
I am going to use this photo to show you the technique.
The first thing I always do with a new photo is to adjust the Levels. You can find the levels under Image/Adjustments/Levels, or press ctrl+L, or apple+L on macs.
When you have opened the Levels window you'll see this black "mountain". Drag the little black marker and the little white marker so that they are right at the start and the end of the "mountain". Like this:
Click OK. Now you have adjusted the light/dark balance and contrast of the photo!
Now we are going to enhance the contrast further and make the colours really pop. This will be done in the Layers panel, it's usually situated at the bottom right corner of your screen, if not go to Windows/Layers.
Now you're gonna copy the Background layer, do that by grabbing hold of it and dragging it to the "Create a new layer" icon (bottom right of your layers panel).
When you have your new layer, click on the menu where it says "Normal" and change it to "Screen".
Copy another layer by doing the same thing - drag the Background layer to the same icon again - and change this one to "Soft Light".
Now adjust the opacity of your two layers. I usually set the Screen one to about 30% and the Soft Light to 80%. But this is up to you to decide when the photo looks best. Sometimes if a photo is very dark I put the Screen layer's opacity up.
Lastly, merge all the layers by going to Layers/Flatten Image.
Below you can see the photo before and after editing.
Here are some other before and afters using these techniques:
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
51 Comments:
WOW! Thanks for sharing this! I am a beginner in photoshop so this was very useful! Please post more!!! :-)
Oh, I loved them!! Especially the fruit picture. So pretty. Thanks a bunch for sharing!! :))
-Jocee <3
ok lovely lady! i think i will be back to stalk this particular post because I've been playing with photoshop a lot and use the curves most the time but this is just great info for even the photoshop pros:) xoxo gorgeous photos all the time....i need to get to a farmers market to take pretty fruit pics...enjoy the weekend
Looveeely.... thanks for sharing these tips. :) Sea Marie
That was really helpful! I usually rely on film to do that for me, but whenever I use digital photoshop just confuses the heck out of me.
Fabulous tut! It is amazing how much a little wiggle in levels and curves can make, isn't it? You are gorgeous btw!
This tutorial is great, thank you for new idea ;).
good tips. Now I just have to get photoshop.
Oh wow, I needed this so bad! Thankyou!!
Thank you so much! I'm often disappointed with how my photos turn out, and I think this'll help :)
Nifty! I would have never thought of this! Thanks!
WOW! Thanks for sharing this! I am a beginner in photoshop so this was very useful! My photos are not really good :( Thank you!
That was so easy - thanks for sharing!
Thankyou you make it look sooooo easy!
This is so useful! I just did the part with changing the histogram and I am already thrilled with how the picture now looks. Thanks so much!
Hi there! Just a heads up, you can do all of this in Adobe Lightroom a lot easier!
Wow, what a great step-by-step tutorial. My pictures already look better!
This is a great post! I will use it for sure on my pictures from now on! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my God! I love you! Great tutorial!!! You're perfect!
beautiful blog! we're following you!
OMG! Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been dying to learn more about photoshop and want my photos to look better without spending a ridiculous amount of time on them. This is amazing and I can't wait to try it out!
This tutorial really opened the world of photoshop to me. It's not as intimidating as it seems now, and I was even able to experiment a little on my own. I tried your instructions on a couple of pictures today and they turned out great! Thank you! And I will definitely be on the lookout for more tutorials you have in the future!
Ahh cool, thanks so much for this. Am in need of some good photoshop tips.
This is a really great tutorial. I've only been getting around with trial and error mostly :D .. but this is a really simple and informative tutorial! Thanks!
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Gayatri
Look who's Wearing (LwW)
I just tried adjusting levels and voila! You explained it so well. Thanks...
how do I get the dreamy look of your image on the top left?
@kathy b
That photo looks like that because it was taken in Photo Booth on the mac, they tend to be grainy. But I will soon post about a program that can easily achieve vintage effects :)
Thank you so so much for your tutorial! its quick and easy! Love it :)
Nice tutorial! So nice of you to share your technique :) Happened to come across your blog via Pinterest and I have to say it is such a lovely blog! xo
Thank you for this, I used it tonight and it was super simple and my picture looks awesome. :)
Saw this on Pinterest! Thanks, the photos are beautiful.
Thanks so much for the tips Lisa. I sell things on etsy and this is so helpful to make the photos much more effective! x!
My first thing I learned on photoshop! Thank you !
Thank you - this is so helpful! I will often use an action to try to improve a pic, but all too often that then looks forced and overdone...this is perfect!
Great tutorial & I love your blog!
Wonderful info. Thanks so much!
fantastic!
Thanks I am a beginner in PS5...you can post more like this
Sandi
Thank you for your posts. I am just starting out and your posts are very helpful :)
caught this on pinterest - awesome post, thanks for sharing your tips!
You've done really awesome job! Great tutorial it is, thanks a lot for sharing this nice post with us :)
I find photoshop so confusing...thanks for the tutorial, the pictures help so much! Definitely pinning this! Really enjoying reading your blog and look forward to all your future posts! I am one of your new loyal followers! When you have a chance come on by and check out my blog (and make sure to say hi!). If you like my blog, I would love it if you would follow me back! Cath @ Home is Where my Heart is: http://cathhasablog.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for posting the tutorial, its genius !
I use photoshop & always use layers first. I hadn't used the layers like you do. Can't wait to try this. Thanks =)
whoops, meant I use levels first.
What version of photoshop are you using?
@Kristine:
I use Photoshop CS5.
Great tutorial! I just used it on a photo I was trying to edit for scrapbooking. Thank you!
Awesome tutorial Lisa! please post more stuff like this as soon as possible sweetheart!!
What about photos that are to bright?
B O O M ! Thanks for your awesome tutorial. Loving your fabulous blog too.
YESS! Thank you <3 I have been looking for good simple edits for photo like this :)
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xoxo Lisa