Up until a couple of weeks ago I had never used Image>Adjustments>Shadows/Highlights... in Photoshop. I guess the fact that we had been using Photoshop 7 up until recently contributed to that.

If you aren't familiar with it, Shadows/Highlights... allows you to improve shadow detail without losing the highlights. You can get some pretty spectacular results if you don't overdo it, like this . . .

Just be careful or you may end up with something like this . . .

I've used it many times over the last couple years - it is my "secret weapon." It has a tendency to shift color, so I will often do a Fade and change to Luminosity immediately after applying.

The Highlights slider is great for bringing detail back to areas that are close to being blown out.

It's been my secret weapon for awhile now too and I haven't shown it to anyone else here. Hey, they can find it the same way I did.

Quote from: Joe on October 13, 2010, 06:15:37 PMIt's been my secret weapon for awhile now too and I haven't shown it to anyone else here. Hey, they can find it the same way I did.

Not turning into a curmudgeon there, are you, Joe?    :laugh:

Been wanting to get back into PhSh stuff for weeks. I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel after yesterday's upgrade. Haven't even opened PhSh CS5 yet.   :sad:

I've used this, but not on a regular basis - I tend to stick with Levels and Curves. I'll try it out tomorrow. Thanks!

Quote from: frailer on October 13, 2010, 06:23:42 PM

Quote from: Joe on October 13, 2010, 06:15:37 PMIt's been my secret weapon for awhile now too and I haven't shown it to anyone else here. Hey, they can find it the same way I did.

Not turning into a curmudgeon there, are you, Joe?    :laugh:

Been wanting to get back into PhSh stuff for weeks. I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel after yesterday's upgrade. Haven't even opened PhSh CS5 yet.   :sad:

Turning?

Quote from: Joe on October 13, 2010, 06:37:40 PMTurning?

   :laugh:  ... I should get it right.   :grin:

Quote from: gnubler on October 13, 2010, 06:32:27 PMI've used this, but not on a regular basis - I tend to stick with Levels and Curves. I'll try it out tomorrow. Thanks!

I function at fairly low level, well, in many ways, but PhSh included.   :cheesy:  I did one of those Russell Brown free Flash tutes on using the History Brush to paint in all sorts... His catch cry was, I recall, "yes, boys and girls, without using Levels and Curves!" I've kinda used 'em a lot less since then. If the Link's still there for that tute, I'll post it here.

Great tool... used it for years. But I showed everyone .... or I be fixing later. Cs5 content  - aware tool is good at best. But helps sometimes with non bleeding file.

Quote from: frailer on October 13, 2010, 06:44:52 PMIf the Link's still there for that tute, I'll post it here.

I think that tute's really old...   :embarrassed:

Shadows/Highlights, I have used it myself on occasion, works great, if you watch it.
...and the content aware is good for some things, but from some of the testing I did, it seems to have issues.
If you want a field of grass, it works ok, if you want to fix a brick wall, it may look funky.

nice tip Rat! I havn't used it, I will check it out.

Quote from: ratintrap on October 13, 2010, 05:29:39 PMUp until a couple of weeks ago I had never used Image>Adjustments>Shadows/Highlights... in Photoshop. I guess the fact that we had been using Photoshop 7 up until recently contributed to that.

If you aren't familiar with it, Shadows/Highlights... allows you to improve shadow detail without losing the highlights. You can get some pretty spectacular results if you don't overdo it, like this . . .

Hey it's Neptune at Virginia Beach!

I know that dude!

Wow, that is a cool tool. Just goes to show you that it's never too late to learn something new. I should ask for a raise now!

Quote from: pspdfppdfx on October 14, 2010, 07:32:58 AMWow, that is a cool tool. Just goes to show you that it's never too late to learn something new. I should ask for a raise now!

get one for me too while you're in there!