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Both Levels and the more powerful Curves tools allow one to alter the pixel
values of an image - but it does this for ALL pixels with the same values.
If we wanted to selectively change some areas, but not others, we would have to
use Layer Masks to mask out the areas we did not want to be changed. This
may not be easy, and can be time consuming, to mask out those bits exactly.
But lets see what happens if we use a Curve instead of a Channel blend on
this image.
So if we do a gentle adjustment to lighten the (blue) walls
with this curve, then as well a lightening the dark parts of the image, we
also lighten the bright bits as well (the top half of the curve). If
we adjust the curve to bring the top half of it in line with 45% (i.e. no
change), then the contrast looks terrible - try it and see. So the
image will change to...
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I've over done the adjustment to make the difference between these
methods really apparent. It doesn't look too bad (at this small size) - but we have done lots of terrible
things to this image! Let me show you...
First one would probably have done the Curve on an Adjustment
layer (so we could change our minds later). It would not have occurred to
us to change the Blend mode, of that layer, and we would have just left it at Normal.
Well these next two images show the differences made (using my SeeChanges
action), and compare the Normal and Luminosity blend modes.
Remember when looking at these exaggerated false images, that Black means no
change and White or colour means a lot.
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Normal blend mode: notice we have also changed colours! |
and even without colour change, we lighten the altar
area |
The image opposite was the difference when
Applying the Blue Channel as I originally described on the previous
page.
You will observe that, as well as changing the walls, we also
altered little bits of the rest of the image - but considerably less than
the Curve adjustment.
But the main point is that most of the change has happened on the wall,
and lesser changes on the rest of the image - this is a vital point I'll
come back to later. |
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So finally, here is the difference between the Luminosity blend Curve
and the Apply Blue channel - now perhaps we can really see what the
advantage is in using this technique (only when the channels have
sufficient data present, of course).
The walls are grey(-ish) because both methods changed them (but I used
more curve than was necessary, which is why they are not black [=no
change]) - but just look at the altar wall, there is a lot of
change there.
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Hopefully I've convinced you that although Curves, and Levels, are great
tools, sometimes you can achieve results that would be impossible without using
masks, just by a quick Channel blend. The downside of this technique is
that you must be able to 'see' what is in the image - and that takes practise.
Another point, well worth mentioning, is that it is the ratio of the
changes that you make, in either tone or colour, that will effect how the viewer
perceives the image and thus how you can you can draw their eye to different
areas and better tell your story - isn't post-processing fun! |