Managing tone

The aim of this exercise was to explore how to alter tones of an image using processing software. I have always used Photoshop for  JPEG images and Digital Photo Professional for RAW. I researched altering a RAW image in Photoshop. Although previously I made changes to images in Photoshop through curves, I discovered that I hadn’t made the connection between the highlights, shadows and midtones and decided to investigate further at this point.

Following on from the last assignment work, I wanted to look at a low contrast images so I started with a photo taken on a misty morning of a cement works in the distance looking across the fields.

Original


F16 1/45 ISO100 32mm  (x1.6 crop factor) partial metering
daylight white balance

JPEG

Opened in Photoshop CS3
> Adjustment layer curves 1
> select clipping
> set black and white points
> altered curves based on preset lighten > check > further lightening required by moving the curve freehand
> crop
> flatten image
> save
I looked at altering the colour temperature (white balance) for this image and decided it did not require any changes to be made for my personal taste.

What I learnt from this exercise which I did not do/know beforehand:

• I used to add a duplicate layer to work in. I discovered that to set the adjustment layer of curves opened the curves box (time saving)
• A tutorial I read suggested that if the clipping box is ticked, the slider can be moved until pixels start to appear. This sets the white and black points accurately.
• There are preset curves which give an idea of how the image may look if you lighten or darken the image using curves.
• The graph has three points where it can be altered and what each point referred to. Watching the histogram as the curves were changed gave an idea of what was happening to the image.

RAW

I had not worked in Photoshop with a RAW image before, but discovered limitations with my existing software. Once I found my way around the layout, it was straightforward.
> Opened in Photoshop CS3
> Select tone curve
> Select parametric (sliders) to lighten image whilst observing image/histogram
> Highlights +55
> lights –7
> darks +28
> shadows –5
> Reviewed original image
>changed to point (tone curve) to check image (graph)
> crop
> save

I found it easier to use the tone curve than the 1st set of sliders for this image.

Overall, I prefer the RAW conversion because it is how I remember the scene to look. The mist is more even and the greens of the grass are less bright. I think in this instance, I achieved a more pleasing result.
                                                               
Bibliography
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/photoshop-curves.htm accessed 30/9/13
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/03/18/photoshop-curves-tool-6-techniques-every-photographer-must-know/7/ accessed 30/9/13