Wednesday, August 28, 2013

How to make daylight images work

Daylight can be harsh. Very harsh. Photographers will tell you never to shoot during the middle of the day, but to wait for sundown or sunrise, because the light is much softer.

But sometimes you can't help it or don't have a choice. And this is where this short tutorial comes in. If you are shooting in JPEG mode then there are two simple steps on how to make daylight images work. (RAW mode images will be covered in another tutorial).

This is what we are creating (click on the image and screenshots for a bigger view):


As you can see the shadows and highlights are much softer and the image works much better. There are only two easy filters to achieve this in Adobe Photoshop.

Step 1: Open your image
Go to File > Open and find your image and open it up in Photoshop


Step 2: Open Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights...



Step 3: Adjust the filter
You can adjust the two sliders to make fit to your image. Make sure not to overdo it. Especially the highlights slider.


Step 4: Apply the Curves filter Image > Adjustments > Curves
Since the Shadows/Highlighs filter greys out the image, you can apply the Curves filter and play with the RGB curve that opens up first. Just like in the image below. (You can click on the screen grab to see a bigger version). This step is optional.


Step 5: Save your image
That's it. Save your image and use it to your liking!

Please tell me below how you liked this tutorial and if you have any further questions. Would you like to see more tutorials like this one? Did you have a hard time following?

14 comments:

  1. Hi Mersad. Thank you for sharing these tips. It was easy to follow and understand. I have done some of this before, but yes, I would like to see more of your tutorials.

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  2. Adobe Photoshop... It's my dream to buy it someday. I have Photoshop Elements. Mersad, you gave us a great tutorial!!! Easy to understand step by step tutorial!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I think that the "Shadows/Highlights" Filter is also available in Elements.

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  3. i knew how to do this one but i would love to see others, there is a lot i don't know how to use. the tutorial is great and easy to follow... so more please. My camera will shoot in raw but i have never done it and have not tried to learn it. i will be interested to see what you show us

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    1. Thank you Sandra. I wanted to start with something quick and easy to see if people were interested. I will do an extensive RAW Image exploration and tutorial, since I am shooting exclusively in RAW.

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  4. I have Photoshop on my computer but I do my basic editing in Picasa 3 (which I find much easier to use). However, the possibilities in this case are similar.

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    1. I am not familiar with Picasa, but since this is a basic filter, it is probably included there too!

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  5. Hello Mersad, thank you so much for sharing this. I have a Polaroid digital which works very well for me. When the sun is very strong I find it harder to take photos. I appreciate your tips!

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    1. I generally should be avoided, but as I said, sometimes you have no choice in the matter. Thank you for stopping by.

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  6. Would enjoy seeing more tutorials. This one was done quite well.

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  7. great tutorial, and very well explained! thanks!
    Hilde
    http://stapjesonderweg.blogspot.be/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. New one will be posted on Sunday!

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