CS3 Shadow/Highlight Tool...Any Info??

http://www.lightstalkers.org/shadow-highlight

Thank you Erica…

look at scott kelby, he has a very good one in ‘the adobe photoshop cs3 book for digital photographers’

just found the tutorial the other day transformed a few shots i thought were totally lost.

rich

Instead of using the shadow/highlight tool I usually use a combination of the curves and levels adjustment layers and then use the brush tool in the layer mask. This gives you a bit more control and since it is non-destructive it allows you to correct any bad brush work.

If you have access to Lightroom the fill light in the develop module is a big help as well.

Doug – if you duplicate the backround layer, apply the shadow/highlight, that’s non-destrucive as well. You can then mask out areas you don’t want it to effect.

Brian- That’s works as well but uses a bit more harddrive space.

I started using the curves/levels method before the shadow/highlight adjustment existed so I haven’t really explored it much.

Like most things in Photoshop there are many ways to get the same thing done and whatever works for you is probably the best way to go.

I would suggest you learn how to use layers and then lighten/darken on a layer and paint between layers(non-destructive until you flatten) – My experience is this is better in long run than the s/h tool.. of course s/h tool is quick (but dirty imho)

a place to start:

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

I’d rather save time than drive space. Also, a slight use of s/h is just a starting point. It helps bring out the details in shadow areas, but curve adjustment layers almost always follow in my workflow.

Thank you all. Very good tips.

Best,

Alex

Hi Alex,
The S/H tool is one of my fav. and use it frequently.The ‘PS Help’ can guide you to use this tool effectively,atleast the beginning.If you use the controls carefully and don’t push them too much this tool can do wonders.For dramatic skies,subtle detail etc.,Beware of atrifacts developing in the dark zones.

Jon,
“of course s/h tool is quick (but dirty imho)”
We need quick working tools,don’t we ? Why dirty ?A specific answer would add to our knowledge.

Dev