ADOBE PHOTOSHOP AND ADOBE LIGHTROOM TIPS

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Stamp ALT-CNTRL-SHT-E  RADIUS  40PX  AMOUNT 24

 

Tiff from lightroom

 

Levels adjustment.

 

FILL LAYER

 

VIGNETTE

 

RADIUS 1 AMOUNT 100 UNSHARPEN MASK FILTER

 

ALT and drag to copy mask

 
ps.jpg

ALT-DEL TO FILL FILL LAYER WITH BLACK – MUST BE SET TO FOREGROUND COLOUR

[ ] CHANGE BRUSH SIZE

ALT-CNTRL-SHIFT-E – STAMP LAYER.

UNSHARPEN MASK USE BICUBIC SAMPLER.

all RAW images need contrast and sharpening adding in Photoshop.
Don't use auto sharpening in lightroom.
apply effects to areas of picture that need it.

ALT-SHIFT-CNTRL-E   creates a stamp layer a copy of all layers below.

do below on the STAMP LAYERS.

filter unsharp mask - 40 pixel radius amount 24 - micro contrast makes picture pop.

filter unsharp mask - final sharpening 1-1.1 pixel radius amount 70-80 check by magnifying glass.
PHOTOSHOP TIPS

TO CREATE THE NEW LAYER WITH ALL LAYERS BELOW IT CLONED PRESS cntl-alt-shift-n

Then press the CLONE STAMP ICON

NEXT GO TO OPTIONS PALETTE -> SAMPLE AND CHOOSE CURRENT AND BELOW FOR THE LAYERS.

SEE HERE

DOWNLOAD GUIDE TO PHOTOSHOP SHORTCUTS PDF FORMAT. PS5

DISPLACEMENT MAPS EXAMPLE

DISPLACEMENT MAP - EXAMPLE

DISPLACEMENT MAP YOU TUBE

TIP TO CREATE AN IMAGE TO USE WHERE YOU WANT TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND TO BE SAVED YOU MUST SAVE AS PNG OR GIF IMAGE

 

HOW TO DO A DISPLACEMENT MAP OF AN IMAGE WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER.

Move tool to drag image from one window to the other

use free transform to put image where you want

image - desaturate to turn into black and white

push arrows in both directions to increase contrast - left end is black

do a gausian blur at 0.7

save as MAP.PSD

undo to get image to be wrapped to how it was

copy wrap layer to top layer using copy layer icon

now use displacement filter set to 25 --- DISPLACEMENT DONE HERE --

go to object to be wrapped and select CNTRL TO select it

go to top layer and add a layer mask

reduce opacity and do a guasian blur again

go back to image to be wrapped and move arrows to right to increase contrast

put an empty layer above bottom backround layer and fill this layer with white

select eraser tool and make it large - click on centre of white fill layer and do a gausian blur again.

 

HOW TO REMOVE SPOTS AND BLEMISHES FROM A MODELS PHOTO

open photo in photoshop > create new layer > select sample all layers at top of screen > choose healing tool and paint over spots.

MASK SHORTCUTS.

cntrl key = mask
alt + click see how mask looks
alt+drag move mask
eclipse + shift = circle.

IF YOU WANT TO MASK THINGS THAT ARE ON THE BACKGROUND LAYER. DUPLICATE BACKGROUND BUT THEN PUT A BLACK FILL LAYER SANDWICH BETWEEN THESE LAYERS.

ADD MASK TO TOP LAYER.

SELECT PART OF IMAGE YOU WANT TO USE AS MASK USING SELECTION TOOLS - THEN CREATE MASK AND INVERT THE MASK.

to add more selections use selections tools- you should see marching ants around selection - then image>invert click on CNTRL and then MASK SQUARE on Layer this will keep adding selections to the mask. Use refine edges to feather the selections otherwise they look too cut-out.

Then finish with levels, curves and final sharpening.

REFINE EDGE TECHNIQUE FOR MASKS

refining your masks in photoshop CS5 if technique does not work fully manually paint more black into mask and re-try.

use transform to flip a layer - image rotation will flip all layers.

ADOBE RGB
USE SRGB AND 300 DPI set in image size.. >>> only for projected images - but also use 300 DPI for prints.
(1) before saving go to : edit / convert to profile / convert to sRGB.

NIK PLUGINS NOW FREE FOR PHOTOSHOP AND LIGHTROOM.NIK HDR.

ON ONE SOFTWARE WORKFLOW FOR LANDSCAPES. ONE ONE WORKFLOW

ADDING COPYRIGHT SYMBOL NUMERIC KEYPAD ALT-0169 - PHOTOSHOP

ADDING A WATERMARK PHOTOSHOP CREATE TRANSPARENT NEW DOCUMENT PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS NOT FREE




28 BRUSHES AND 78 PRESETS FOR LIGHTROOM

PHOTOSHOP WORKFLOW

PHOTOSHOP HDR ENHANCEMENT

Light Leaks Senses LIGHTROOM Presets

LIGHTROOM WORKFLOW WINTERS TALE

PHOTOSHOP WORKFLOW *

PHOTOSHOP FRAGMENTATION BRUSH - FREE WORKS WITH CS5 ABT FILE

PHOTOSHOP LESSONS

DISPLACEMENT MAPPING IN PHOTOSHOP

CLIPPING MASK IN PHOTOSHOP

CLIPPING MASK YOU-TUBE VIDEO EXAMPLE

KEEP THIS SITE LIVE BY CONSIDERING A KIND SMALL DONATION A $1 wont break your bank.

IF PS won't open a File go to File properties by right clicking on File - select Advanced tab - type in au (all users) - press check name.

I would suggest white Balance, Exposure, levels - then you can start to play with the rest. A final check with curves, resize and sharpen. 
You can use the fx button under background to change layer effects.

selective lightning of an image within photoshop

adjustment level tutorial layer mask example using graduated mask to darken part of an image

making selective adjustments layer mask example to just brighten selected object

changing only part of an adjustment layer hue adjustment to change colour of objects and left>right mask

levels adjustment tonal range, colour, contrast. midtones.

invert a layer mask in photoshop CS5

enhance mid-tones

clipping layers - for graphics etc

simple steps to improve quality of a digital photo

MORE PHOTOSHOP TIPS INCLUDING MOUNTING.

TAKING GOOD PHOTOS

CURVES PHOTOSHOP

levels photoshop

SHARPENING LINK 1

SHARPENING LINK 2

SHARPENING LINK3

USING A PHOTO AS BACKGROUND IN PHOTOSHOP

CREATING AN OVAL CLIPPING MASK - I PREFER NORMAL MASKS AS YUO CAN FEATHER EDGES - CLIPPING MASKS THOUGH GOOD FOR GRAPHICS

oval mask demo on you-tube showing feathering .

GOOD SHORT VIDEO ON HOW TO CORRECT WHITE BALENCE BY ADDING A 50 PERCENT GREY LAYER AND A THRSHOLD LAYER. - USEFUL IF YOU SHOOT UNDER TUNGSTEN LIGHTS ETC.

 

Painting into a Layer Mask to Reveal Image

NOTE Open the file you wish to modify
NOTE Choose: Layers > New Adjustment Layer > Hue / Saturation

The Hue Saturation dialog will open, and a new adjustment layer will appear.

NOTE Slide the saturation slider all the way to the left to remove all color. You may want to adjust contrast/brightness if the resulting black and white image doesn't appeal to you.

NOTE Click once on the WHITE layer mask generated by the adjustment layer (2)

NOTE Tap the letter "D" to set your foreground color to BLACK

NOTE Tap the letter "B" to select the Brush Tool, and in the Options bar above set the brush to a medium softness, and an appropriate size for working with your image

NOTE Now move into the image window and begin painting over the part of the image you wish to be in color. Painting BLACK into the white adjustment layer's mask will "erase" it to reveal the color subject below.

Change brush sizes as needed. You could also use the Lasso Tool (L) to make a selection, and then Alt/Delete (Option/Delete) to fill the selection with black and accomplish the very same thing.

NOTE That's all there is to it.

modes:-

The only ones that you need for photography are:
Normal
Multiply - darkens
Overlay - adds high contrast
Soft light - adds contrast
Screen - lightens
All best applied by brushing in gradually through a mask.
I'm sure that there will be stuff on the net but don't know of a website to advise.

USING OPACITY TO ADD EFFECT

TOP LAYER > BACKGROUND COPY AND MASK OFF OBJECT AT FRONT OF IMAGE
MIDDLE NEW LAYER FILLED WITH WHITE AND CHANGE OPACITY.
BOTTOM>BACKGROUND IMAGE.  

send me your Photoshop tips please. webmaster

NB:- A lot of photo shop filters only work in the 8 bits per channel mode.

Ctrl+M = Curves Adjustment

Ctrl+U = Hue/Saturation Adjustment

Ctrl+L = Levels Adjustment

Ctrl+J = To make copy of a selected layer OR to apply "layer via copy" on a selection from a layer.

Ctrl+Shift+U = Desaturate

Ctrl+I = Invert. Could be used to invert image or invert mask (makes white black and vice versa).

Ctrl+Shift+I = Invert Selection

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E = To merge the composite onto a new layer of its own. Make sure you're on the topmost layer for this.

Ctr+Alt+Shift+C = Content Aware Scale

Ctrl+N = New Document

Ctrl+Alt+I = Image Size

Ctrl+Alt+C = Canvas Size

Ctrl+T = Enter Transform Mode or Open Character Properties Box if you're working with Type

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I = Document Properties

Ctrl+Alt+Z = Step Backward (Anti Clockwise Key Presses)

Ctrl+Shift+Z = Step Forward (Clockwise Key Presses)

Ctrl+S = Save Document

Ctrl+Shift+S = Save Document as

Ctrl+R = Show/Hide Rulers

Ctrl++ = Zoom in

Ctrl+ - = Zoom Out

Ctrl+0 = Fit on Screen

D = Changes the Foreground and background colour to Black and White

X = Changes between background and foreground colour

F7 = Toggles the Layer Palette

F5 = Toggles the Brushes Palette

Alt+Backspace = Fills with selected Foreground Colour

Ctrl+Backspace = Fills with selected Background Colour

Ctrl+F = Re-apply the last applied fliter

Ctrl+W = Close Document

Ctrl+Alt+W = Close All

Ctrl+Q = Quit Photoshop. If you're sane you'd never use this. Photoshop runs, life runs. :

FREE PHOTOSHOP BRUSH SET - EXPLOSION

HOW TO READ A HISTOGRAM

LEVELS

OUTPUT LEVELS

QUICK FIX USING REG EDIT TO FIX PHOTOSHOP DRAG AND DROP ISSUE - YOUTUBE VIDEO

 


 

LIGHTROOM TIPS

If you hover over the Black and White preset filters they show you what the image will look like.

Use the J key to turn on the black and white clipping points.

Use the ALT key to change the Dynamic range - then move the black and white sliders.

2nd option is to grab the bottom corner of the tone curve for Black and drag to the right - the screen will show you where the image clips.

For white drag top right of tone curve and drag to the left.

You can also use the Black and White Mix and then drag individual colour tones to change tones within the image.

BLENDING TWO PHOTOS TOGETHER USING LIGHT ROOM AND PS

In LR open photo and create a virtual copy by going to Grid.

Now go to Develop and increase Exposure, Shadows.

Go to effects and increase Luminence to about 25 - keep an eye on details

export both photos.

open PS.

USE modified photo as background. Make sure Brush mode = normal not screen.

create a new layer and drag in virtual copy of photo here.

Now create a black mask and paint white on mask say where you want sunset etc to show through.

LIGHTROOM WORKFLOW.

>Library>Import>uncheck all>check ones to open>import

>Develop>Lens Correction>Enable Profile Correction>Level>Vertical>Crop Overlay

>Basic>Colour temp (5600k)> Exposure> Vibrance

>Tone Curve to acheive rounded mountain and true black and white with no burnt out hightlights

> Selective adjustment tools> Gradient filter; Radial filter; Adjustment Brush

> Detail> Sharpening (85;1;25) > Noise reduction

> Soft proofing> Create proof copy> colour profile> Before and After view> adjust brightness etc

> create proof copy

> print module

> layout style> single image

> image settings > Stroke border 1 unit - this is not 1 pixel

> layout > adjust size ( max, for ratio, crop as necessary)

> print job> resolution (300) > colour management> profile or printer manages colour for monochrome

> printer> printer driver> properties> advanced> advanced B&W or ICM ( no colour adjustment).

LIGHTROOM LEARNING

MY PHOTOGRAPHY PAGE

USING SELECTIVE COLOUR IN LIGHTROOM

OPEN IMAGE IN DEVELOP TAB

GO TO LENS CORRECT - BASIC TAB - SELECT ENABLE PROFILE AND CHROMATIC ABERATION - CHECK LENS IS RIGHT PROFILE

CHECK AUTO

GO TO HSL COLOURS B&W

SELECT ALL COLOURS

LEAVE YELLOW BUT BOOST SAT +40 AND LUMINENCE TO +30 MAKES IT LIGHTER

LEAVE BLUE BOOST SAT TO +40 BUT CHANGE SAT TO -30 MAKES IT DARKER ( IMAGE WAS A NIGHT IMAGE)

GO TO THE BASIC TAB

INCREASE CONTRAST +25

SHADOWS +100 HIGHLIGHTS -100

PRESS THE ALT KEY WHEN CHANGING WHITES DRAG TO RIGHT SEE THEM CLIPPING

PRESS THE ALT KEY AGAIN AND DRAG BLACKS TO LEFT -20

SET CLARITY -25 TO SOFTEN IMAGE

NOW GO TO TONE CURVE RGB ALL COLOURS - CLICK TO ADD A CONTROL POINT

LIFT BOTTOM LEFT CORNER UP

NOW DO BLUE

LIFT BOTTOM CORNER UP BUT ALSO TOP RIGHT CORNER DOWN - WILL ADD MORE YELLOW . YELLOW IS OPPOSITE OF BLUE.

NOW DO SPLIT TONING

HIGHLIGHTS 52 FROM COLOUR PALETTE

SHADOWS (BLUE) SAT 50% PICK 215

NOW BRING YELLOW UP PUSH TO RIGHT +74 (TEMP)

USE A GRADUATED FILTER PRESS SHIFT KEY

THEN ADD SECOND GRAD FILTER

SET TEMP TO 3695 TINT +12

ADD SHARPENING AMOUNT 80 WHEN USING MASK PRESS THE ALT KEY

NOW SET LUMINENCE +15 NEXT EXPOSURE +0.5

WHAT TO DO IF PHOTOSHOP STOPS RUNNING.

TRY COMPATBILTY MODE

Assuming you still have the original PS CS5 installed and is not corrupted (you haven’t said you went through the un-install process), try this method of trying to start it up.
Press the Alt + Ctrl + Shift keys as you click on the icon to open Photoshop. When asked if you want to delete the settings file, say yes.

http://i.imgur.com/IVVf53Q.png

The timing of the key actions is crucial and the dialog box with the option can be easily missed.

The PS Preferences file occasionally becomes corrupted and deleting the settings can solve a multitude of issues and it is always worth a try.
A new file will be created if and when PS opens.
Preferences will need to be reset though.

An alternative method is to copy the following (with PS closed):

%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5\Adobe Photoshop CS5 Settings

Paste what you have copied into the Taskbar Search Bar and click the ‘Best Match’ or paste into the Run Command (R/click Start > Run.

Locate the Prefs file and rename it by adding .old to the end of the showing name.
Now try to open PS.

The latter option is sometimes preferable as if issues aren't solved by renaming, the original file can be renamed back after deleting the newly created file.


Gradient maps in Photoshop
Gradient maps map shadow and highlights to brightness and tones.
Open image in Photoshop
Press CNRL 0 (ZERO) to see whole image.
Add a gradient map this layer will appear above your background image.
It will show as monochrome.
As we want to work in colour we change the blending mode to overlay.
Set opacity at 60 percent.
Left side of map affects shadows of histogram.
Right side affects highlights.
At the bottom are the colour stops.
All along left side of square are just tonal values from black to white  000000 – ffffff
As you move in box to right you change colour tones
All these have a hex value # followed by 6 digits in hexadecimal 0-f
We want #fff1e5 = orange for left colour stop = shadows.
We want #000309 = blue for right colour stop = highlights.
Next add another map but this time make blend mode = soft light
Left = #edffe2 = green, right =#94ffb7 also green
This is to brighten trees with greener colour.
Trouble is this affects other parts of image
But gradient maps already have a box for a mask.
Select 100 percent opacity
Set hardness of brush at 0% to make it soft.
Select a black brush and paint mask in. to set colours back to default in photoshop press D.
Now we need to add 3rd map.
Select blend mode = hardlight to brighten image and warm it.
Left colour stop =#787776 a grey colour, right = #dcd783


blending a night and day image in photoshop.

Night star image from raw
Temp 2900
Tint -11
Exposure +1.1
Contrast +100
Shadows all way to the left
Blacks -83
Clarity +45
Whites +55

Day shot
Temp 3000
Shadows -100
Blacks -80
Clarity +30

Background starshot
Mask day shot and move down


THE BEST WAY TO USE DODGE AND BURN IN PHOTOSHOP

select a new layer whilst holding down the ALT key

select overlay.

select dodge or burn tool and brush

use opacity less than 6 percent and build up the effect slowly - you wont notice anything at first


LEVELS OR CURVES IN PHOTOSHOP

both adjust the contrast of an image

It is best to use some level layers first to adjust the tones of the photograph - curves can cause problems with colours.

If you right click the layer with Levels on you can select OVERLAY from the properties menu.

The arrows can be then split using the ALT key - this is usefull for say a layer of the moon with another of clouds below - to get the look you want

Once you have got image correct the final stage should be sharpening and then a Curves layer.


HOW TO CREATE A POLAR PANARAMA IN PHOTOSHOP CALLED A PLANETTOID.

IDEALLY FIND A PLACE THAT HAS PLENTY OF OPEN SKY ABOVE

MOUNT CAMERA VERTICALLY ON TRIPOD AND USE MANUAL SETTINGS - CHOOSE F8 - FOCUS ON BUILDINGS AND MAKE SURE EXPOSURE IS IN CENTRE OF METER.

CHECK WITH ANOTHER BUILDING AT 180 DEGREES TO THIS - WE WILL BE USING BEST EXPOSURE FOR ALL SHOTS

OVER LAP EACH PICTURE VERTICALLY AND MAKE SURE SPIRIT LEVEL ON TRIPOD IS CENTRED

THEN GO INTO PHOTO SHOP - PHOTOMERGE -PANARAMA AND CHOOSE IMAGES

THEN FLATTEN THE IMAGE PRODUCED - LAYERS FLATTEN

CROP IMAGE TO CUT OUT WHERE THERE IS NO PICTURE

USE CLONE STAMP TOOL TO ADD SKY TO MISSING AREAS AND FOREGROUND TO BOTTOM OF THE PICTURE.

WE NOW NEED TO RE-SIZE IMAGE SO IT IS SQUARE SO GO TO IMAGE RESIZE AND INPUT WIDTH SETTINGS INTO HEIGHT BUT MAKE SURE CONTRAIN PROPORTIONS IS NOT CHECKED

IF WE FLIP SQUARE UPSIDE DOWN THEN DO POLAR TO RECTANGLE FILTER WE WILL GET A PLANNETOID OTHERWIDE YOU WILL GET A PORTAL IMAGE.


IF YOU USE MY TIPS A LITTLE APPRECIATION WOULD BE GRATEFUL:-

 

TO CREATE AN IMAGE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS SHOT AT MOONLIGHT - CHANGE THE WHITE BALANCE TO INCADENCENT LIGHT - THIS WILL SHIFT HUE TOWARDS BLUE

SET -2 E TO DARKEN PICTURE 2 STOPS UNDER

USE A ND FILTER TO LENGTHEN EXPOSURE

THEN ON NIKON CAMERA YOU CAN CHANGE PICTURE CONTROL SETTIGNS MUST REMEMBER TO SET THEM BACK.

USE NEUTRAL PICTURE CONTROL BUT SWITCH BACK TO STANDARD AFTER TAKING PICTURE.

REDUCE SATURATION AND BOOST CONTRAST - THERE SHOULD BE NO SHADOWS THESE WILL BECOME SOLID SHAPES.


FILL FLASH - SUBJECT NEEDS TO BE 2 - 12 FEET AWAY. PROGRAM MODE. CHANGE EXPOSURE FOR FLASH AND CAMERA AS REQUIRED. CHANGE FLASH EXPOSURE COMPENSATION. USE POP UP FLASH IN SLOW MODE.


BATCH PROCESSING TIFFS TO JPG IN PHOTOSHOP CS5 OR BELOW. IP can also add vignettes.

2. Go to File > Scripts > Image Processor
3. In the new window do the follwing:

Step 1. Select the folder where the images reside.
Step 2. Choose the location to save the images.
Step 3. Tick Save as jpeg and Convert Profile to sRGB, Quality 10 or 12. Make sure you do not tick the Constrain Image box. sRGB is better for projected images and RGB prints.
Step 4. Tick the box that says Includ ICC profile.


Lightroom automatically opens when USB drive / Memory Card is inserted
  1. Open Lightroom, from the main top menu, select Edit > Preferences.
  2. Under the General Tab, look for Import Options.
  3. Uncheck "Show import dialog when a memory card is detected". Click OK to save the setting change.

LIGHTROOM TIP ON MULTIPLE DELETE OF IMAGES

IN LIIGHTROOM LIBARY MODULE - PRESS X TO SELECT AN IMAGE YOU WANT TO DELETE.

AT THIS POINT IMAGE IS ONLY FLAGGED FOR DELETION.

NOW BATCH DELETE CHOSEN IMAGES. GO TO PHOTO>DELETE REJECTED PHOTO.

DIALOG BOX SHOWS HOW MANY IMAGES SELECTED BY YOU.

SELECT DELETE FROM DISK TO PERMANTLY DELETE FILES FROM YOUR HD DISK DRIVE.


PHOTOMECHANICS A BETTER CATALOGING PROGRAM THAN LIGHTROOM

FREE RAW CONVERTOR PROGRAM

TIP ALWAYS SHOOT IN RAW IT HAS MORE HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE AND THE ABILITY TO BRING BACK UNDER 1.0 STOP AT FAR END - WHITE END - OF HISTOGRAM.

AT MOMENT ISO IS STAMPED WITHIN RAW BUT WON'T BE IN THE FUTURE.

DON'T DELETE BAD RAW IMAGES AS FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO SOFTWARE ALGORYTHMS MIGHT MAKE THEM OK IN THE FUTURE.


WORKFLOW IN LIGHTROOM

DO SHARPENING LAST

1 WORK THROUGH IMAGES AND ADD META TAG DATA

2 RATE EACH IMAGE AND WORK OUT WHAT TO DELETE

3 BACK UP THE ARCHIVE OF RAW IMAGES.

PROCESSING

DON'T MOVE SLIDERS BUT MOVE MOUSE WHEEL ON HISTOGRAM - THIS WILL MOVE SEVERAL SLIDERS AT ONCE!

MASKING IS ONE IMPORTANT AREA AS BY MOVING MASK YOU SELECT WHICH AREAS WILL SHARPEN - GOOD FOR OUTLINES ETC.


I always press the X key to flag it as a reject. Then, almost as if it’s second nature, I go to the Photo menu and choose Delete Rejected Photos. But I realized the other week at one of my seminars that quite a few people hadn’t seen that one so that’s your tip. Flag your photos as rejects first. That keeps you from having to answer the “Are you sure you want to delete” question multiple times. Then, when you’re done, just go to Photo > Delete Rejected Photos and remove them all at once. I delete from the hard drive too, not just the catalog. If they’re rejects that means I want them gone forever.


FINDING IMAGES USING LIGHTROOM

USING LIGHTROOM LIBRARY FILTERS.

YOU CAN CHANGE LAYER STYLES IN PHOTOSHOP BY CLICKING ON THE LAYER TO BRING UP HIDDEN MENU ABOVE.

LEVELS in photoshop

when you create a new LEVEL ADJUSTMENT LAYER.

The bottom output levels allow you to create more definition in the blacks by moving left end to the right - reducing shadows. other end reduces brightness of whites. what this bottom level does is expend space on histogram at each end - use with a mask to take out over highlighted areas shot under bad conditions etc

the top level arrows contract the histogram so add contrast but also saturation so you may need another layer to reduce saturation. Nore the pointing arrows can be split to create a range where effects work within - a window.

if you find this pro tip useful please donate.


CREATING A HDR IMAGE USING THE GREEN CHANNEL.

You should now have two pictures of different exposures each on one layer as shown in this picture


Photoshop HDR tutorial 1
a. Make sure that you background layer is selected and that the visibility of the top layer is turned off


Photoshop HDR Tutorial using levels 1
b. Go to your Channels palette and CTRL+CLICK on the Green channel to load it as a selection


Photoshop HDR Tutorial using levels 2
c. Now switch back to the layers palette, re-enable the visibility of “layer 1” the other exposure of the same shot and, while the selection is still active, add a layer mask by clicking on the button shown below


Photoshop HDR Tutorial using levels 3
I don’t know if you have already noticed, but by just doing these three steps we can already see that the mask is already pretty good.


Photoshop HDR Tutorial using levels 4
N.B.: Depending on the order in which the images (bright and dark) are loaded you might have to inverse your mask, for that make sure the mask is selected and then SELECT ALL (CTRL+A) and INVERSE (CTRL+I).

d. Make sure that the mask of “layer 1” is selected, and load the levels by clicking CTRL+L
N.B.:Do not use levels in an adjustment layer, just type CTRL+L
e. Play around with the 3 sliders (Black, White and Grey) while observing what is happening to your picture, tweak them to taste


Photoshop HDR Tutorial using levels 5
That’s it, IF needed you can still refine your mask using the brush tool.