How to "equalize" the brightness values of an image?

Greets all,

My question for the week would be how would you go about equalizing the brightness values of an image?

For example, assume you have a picture of a person wearing a tan suit, but is wearing dark shoes (like dark brown of black) and who also has very light hair (like very light blond or white).

I know that, in essence, what defines a picture is its contrast between the lights and darks. So I know there is a limit to how far you can go. I know I could make a selection on the shoes and the hair and try to lighten and darken them respectively. It might also be possible (in the case with a color image) to try and "color match" different regions of the image. (Also let's assume a case were the image is B&W as well).

I guess the question becomes, how can one get the brightness values of an image closer together so that it is more uniform, or at least as close as possible? The end product does not necessarily need to look "good" or accurate in a photographic sense. Thanks.

MJ

Hey there, MJ!
There are always at least three ways to do anything in Photoshop. ;)

One choice for you would be to duplicate your photo layer and then apply Image > Adjustments > Equalize. You can then adjust the opacity of the equalized layer till you like the result.

Also try Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlight.

--
Always me,
Janee, ACE, ACI
--
No one else has your vision. No one else can do your art. --
Photoshop Tutorials, Art Challenge, and more! http://www.myJanee.com Online Photoshop classes -- http://www.myJanee.com/classes.htm Remove 7 8 7 to reply

"Janee" wrote in message

Hey there, MJ!
There are always at least three ways to do anything in Photoshop. ;)
One choice for you would be to duplicate your photo layer and then apply Image > Adjustments > Equalize. You can then adjust the opacity of the equalized layer till you like the result.

Also try Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlight.

--
Always me,
Janee, ACE, ACI
--
No one else has your vision. No one else can do your art. --
Photoshop Tutorials, Art Challenge, and more! http://www.myJanee.com Online Photoshop classes -- http://www.myJanee.com/classes.htm Remove 7 8 7 to reply

Excellent tip. Maybe I should read the documentation. Nah, guys don't read documentation.

"Michael J." wrote in message

Greets all,

My question for the week would be how would you go about equalizing the brightness
values of an image?

For example, assume you have a picture of a person wearing a tan suit, but is wearing
dark shoes (like dark brown of black) and who also has very light hair (like very
light blond or white).

I know that, in essence, what defines a picture is its contrast between the lights
and darks. So I know there is a limit to how far you can go. I know I could make a
selection on the shoes and the hair and try to lighten and darken them respectively.
It might also be possible (in the case with a color image) to try and "color match"
different regions of the image. (Also let's assume a case were the image is B&W as
well).

I guess the question becomes, how can one get the brightness values of an image
closer together so that it is more uniform, or at least as close as possible? The end
product does not necessarily need to look "good" or accurate in a photographic sense.
Thanks.

MJ

I like the curves adjustment myself (you can use an adjustment layer!) and use the little eyedroppers to sample the light and dark spots of your image (the grey spot is more difficult to gauge - I usually do the light/dark adjustment first, close and then reopen to fiddle with the grey!! (does anyone know a better way for this operation?)

"Janee" wrote in message

Janee! Good to see you again.
--
Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com/forum/

Hi Janee and thanks for the info! Just curious, are you the one on the photoshop videos from Total Training (along with the likes of Deke McClelland and all?) Maybe I'm way off but just wondering.

MJ

On Fri, 19 May 2006 10:40:56 -0400, "Janee" wrote:

Hey there, MJ!
There are always at least three ways to do anything in Photoshop. ;)
One choice for you would be to duplicate your photo layer and then apply Image > Adjustments > Equalize. You can then adjust the opacity of the equalized layer till you like the result.

Also try Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlight.

--
Always me,
Janee, ACE, ACI
--
No one else has your vision. No one else can do your art.

On Fri, 19 May 2006 14:59:54 -0400, Michael J.
wrote:

Hi Janee and thanks for the info! Just curious, are you the one on the photoshop videos from Total Training (along with the likes of Deke McClelland and all?) Maybe I'm way off but just wondering.

MJ

Quite difficult to believe that you find it to much effort to read the footing under her letter.

Dave

In article ,
Michael J. wrote:

I guess the question becomes, how can one get the brightness values of an image
closer together so that it is more uniform, or at least as close as possible? The end
product does not necessarily need to look "good" or accurate in a photographic sense.
Thanks.

Image->Adjust->Curves.

Increasing the steepness of the curve increases contrast. Decreasing the slope of the curve decreases contrast.

--
Art, photography, shareware, polyamory, literature, kink: all at http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html
Nanohazard, Geek shirts, and more: http://www.villaintees.com

Hi Dave, I did read the footing under the letter, which was what prompted me to asked the question. It was just a matter of curiosity. I hope that hasen't been outlawed.

On Fri, 19 May 2006 21:35:23 +0200, Dave wrote:

Quite difficult to believe that you find it to much effort to read the footing under her letter.

"Michael J." wrote in message

Hi Dave, I did read the footing under the letter, which was what prompted me to asked
the question. It was just a matter of curiosity. I hope that hasen't been outlawed.

On Fri, 19 May 2006 21:35:23 +0200, Dave wrote:

Quite difficult to believe that you find it to much effort to read the footing under her letter.

Curiousity is VERBOTEN on this NG.

"tacit" wrote in message

In article ,
Michael J. wrote:

I guess the question becomes, how can one get the brightness values of an image
closer together so that it is more uniform, or at least as close as possible?
The end
product does not necessarily need to look "good" or accurate in a photographic sense.
Thanks.

Image->Adjust->Curves.

Increasing the steepness of the curve increases contrast. Decreasing the slope of the curve decreases contrast.

OP are you trying to make 2 images look similar in brightness or correct contrast within one image?? or you are just going for a "flat" look, all greys no black or white?

so many ways to do this
levels (nice droppers to help you find the white and blacks) curves, both may applied selectively using masks to only certain areas. Or in using layer blend modes as Janee described (nice tips), dodge and burn tools, contrast/brightness, halftone? duotone?

Hey there! Good to see you guys too, Mike!
MJ, Erm... I didn't know that I was on the Total Training videos, but I guess it is not impossible. I've been published around and about and have met and spoken with Deke. They may be including links to my resources or something like that. Anyway, I'm "the" Janee of myJanee.com! <g>

--
Always me,
Janee, ACE, ACI
--
No one else has your vision. No one else can do your art. --
Photoshop Tutorials, Art Challenge, and more! http://www.myJanee.com Online Photoshop classes -- http://www.myJanee.com/classes.htm Remove 7 8 7 to reply

On Sat, 20 May 2006 09:51:57 -0400, Michael J.
wrote:

Hi Dave, I did read the footing under the letter, which was what prompted me to asked the question. It was just a matter of curiosity. I hope that hasen't been outlawed.
On Fri, 19 May 2006 21:35:23 +0200, Dave wrote:

Quite difficult to believe that you find it to much effort to read the footing under her letter.

No Michael, it should rather be outlawed to be frolicsome without a smile,( like I did). Was actually somewhat jokingly said:-)

Dave

A. Because it breaks the logical sequence of discussion
Q. Why is top posting bad ?