Retouching a dark image

FP
Posted By
frank_parker
Aug 21, 2004
Views
309
Replies
2
Status
Closed
On my PC I have images that are about a stop or two under exposed, but correct OK in photoshop CS. The problem I have is that I am doing some basic retouching on the images and have to lighten them to be able to see to do the retouching, BUT I want the file back in it’s original dark state for my lab. Once I delete the lighten (screen) layer all of the retouched layers look super bad. Any ideas? I dup the BG layer in screen mode, make another layer on top of it and do my retouching. When I finish I delete the dupped BG layer and then want to flatten for the lab to make my prints using their auto correction system. Any help would be appreciated

Frank

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Y
YrbkMgr
Aug 21, 2004
What *I* do is I add a temporary levels or curves layer and edit the original background (keeping a copy of the original file in tact as a different filename of course). I don’t care if it blows out the whites or whatever, it’s just there temporarily to help me see, and when I’m done editing I delete it. I run the gamma (middle slider in Levels) to extreme values. That would, I think, be a better route than a duplicated layer with a blend mode.

My two cents anywhooo..

Peace,
Tony
PF
Peter_Figen
Aug 21, 2004
The problem is that you’re cloning with the "Use All Layers" option, and that includes the Screen layer. When you delete that layer, your retouching thinks it’s still there and it looks wonky. Use the aforementioned Adjustment layer method and set the cloning tool to only use the layer you’re on.

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