contrast issues: overcontrasted picture

AK
Posted By
arijana_karcic
May 3, 2005
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434
Replies
12
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Closed
is there any way i can UNcontrast a picture…the picture has way too much contrast and i want to make it less contrasted…i’ve tried a few things, different blending modes for different (base duplicated, color and gradient) layers, i played with saturation, contrast, curves, levels, color balance and everythingbut i can’t seem to get it work….i think the problem is the very light part of his face….
so anyone? thanx in advance….

<http://img66.echo.cx/img66/3048/bjorn36rv.jpg>
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PF
Peter_Figen
May 3, 2005
Try the Highlight/Shadow tool. That should help you out.
AK
arijana_karcic
May 3, 2005
tried that one too…i’ve basically tried everything that was available in the adjustments menu…filters too…and layers
but thanx for helping
plus..i don’t want to make image dark, just take the contrast away… now i know ps can’t do miracles, but i wanted to know if this is possible at all..if not then i’d just give up trying
C
Corey
May 4, 2005
Check it out! Just mouse over the image to see the new version.

Saturation and Color Balance seemed very useful.
Levels and Brightness/Contrast also played a roll.

http://tinyurl.com/dtpa3

Peadge 🙂

wrote in message
is there any way i can UNcontrast a picture…the picture has way too much
contrast and i want to make it less contrasted…i’ve tried a few things, different blending modes for different (base duplicated, color and gradient) layers, i played with saturation, contrast, curves, levels, color balance and everythingbut i can’t seem to get it work….i think the problem is the very light part of his face….
so anyone? thanx in advance….

<http://img66.echo.cx/img66/3048/bjorn36rv.jpg>
PF
Peter_Figen
May 4, 2005
Maybe you didn’t tweak the right sliders. Click the "Show More Options" button and first start playing with the shadow portion of the dialog. On you particular image, you should see a substantial lightening of the shadow areas without affecting the midtones or highlights. In my book, that’s contrast reduction. By tweaking the tonal with and radius, you can fine tune just how far into the mids, the shadow lightening will affect. When you’re satisfied, move on to the highlights and repeat the exercise, paying close attention to how the upper midtones are affected. A few minutes with this tool WILL get you a lower contrast image, but you can only go so far with this one.
AK
arijana_karcic
May 4, 2005
okay i played with it a bit and got this

< http://img111.echo.cx/img111/2214/bjorn3triedtouncontrast8sl .jpg>

it’s still nto what i wanted but it’s something……… thanx bunches
JJ
John Joslin
May 4, 2005
This <http://www.johnjoslin.co.uk/Uploads/lesscontrast.jpg> was done with curves, Hue and Saturation and a bit of selective blurring.
JH
Jake_Hannam
May 4, 2005
You could also try High Pass (1.5 pixels) on a duplicate layer, reduce the opacity to 55 percent or so, do a Gaussian blur (2.0 pixels) to knock down the pixelation, merge the two layers, and then bring back the color and shadows back with Levels.

This was just a quickie at work and I’m sure there are better ways.

Jake
PC
Philo_Calhoun
May 4, 2005
The second try seems pretty posterized. Where is the image from?
JH
Jake_Hannam
May 4, 2005
Philo,

I noticed the posterization too, especially on the cheekbones. I have a feeling this photo was shot at low rez (or taken off a web page) and then blown up. The pixelization is very evident.
AK
arijana_karcic
May 4, 2005
got the picture from a friend, and it was taken a fter a concert (kind of a promo pic) so doubt it’s low res… however i thank you for taking some time and tryingh to help me but i truly doubt one can take the contrast off a picture…..thank y’all…
S
Stroker
May 4, 2005
You can un-contrast or wash-out a photo rather easily with Luminosity.

Adjustment Layer > Curves
Set blending mode to Luminosity
Get jiggy with the anchors

Adding contrast with Curves > Luminosity in the same manner is good.

There are more complex variations, but that should be enough to get you started.
R
RSD99
May 4, 2005
I’m surprised that nobody (yet) has mentioned using a

Contrast Mask

You can find several very good tutorials on Contrast Masks using Google … otherwise try

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/contrast_masking .shtml

wrote in message
is there any way i can UNcontrast a picture…the picture has way too
much contrast and i want to make it less contrasted…i’ve tried a few things, different blending modes for different (base duplicated, color and gradient) layers, i played with saturation, contrast, curves, levels, color balance and everythingbut i can’t seem to get it work….i think the problem is the very light part of his face….
so anyone? thanx in advance….

<http://img66.echo.cx/img66/3048/bjorn36rv.jpg>

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