Differences in Photoshop Tools

[Emma]

Okay, Photoshop seems to have some redundant tools, but I'm sure they're not, just overlapping in function. Will someone briefly explain the main differences between the following tools?

Color Balance vs. Channel Mixer

Brightness/Contrast vs. Level vs. Curves

I'm always guessing which Adjustment to "reach" for because I don't fully understand what each does better/differently than another. Are the distinctions just for advanced photo editing?!

Thanks in advance!

[Fidelis]

Yeah I'd like to know too Emma, anyone know??? U.K Lady will I bet ya!

Em :)

[u.k. lady]

I see grindavich posted what each function does on the software thread and gave an explanation Emma so if I repeat anything sorry but ,I think I can explain a little more user friendly ,so here goes.


As explained in the other thread the curves allows you to tweak the image,want to know what's going on .I ll explain so you know what is going on when you tweak,there are two axes on the graph horizontal and vertical both go shadow to highlight, The horizontal represents the original pixels they represent the original values of the pixels in your image if you click in the middle your touching the middle tonal range ,if you click the vertical you affect what will happen to those pixels, basically click at the bottom you darken those pixels click at the top and you brighten them and click in the middle you adjust the middle tonal range.


The mixer is another way of using channels to create effects, where as the curves adjust the tonal range of shadows the channel mixer allows you to make definite differences to your colour photos and as we have discussed befoore it's great for using to convert to black and white using the monochrome box .
You can choose to boost the colour using the channel mixer ,supposing you want a bluer sky you can choose the blue channel and boost it ,this is whhere you begin using masks etc if there are other areas you do not wish to boost.

Brightness and contrast is just another way to adjust the original image and you can plainly see the effect if you have a play.

Basically there may seem redundant tool in photoshop but for instance why use the lasso when you can use clipping paths, it's just a matter of preference and experience and which tool you feel is best for each image.
certainly when I began using photoshop I used the lasso ,now the path tools are my most commonly used tools but it's just another way of recording info.

so let me recap

1.curves for adjusting you shadows and ,bringing the exposure into line, make your own personal curve (go on :p )
2.channel mixer for boosting colours ,you can use specific channels ,dont forget that, plus try the monochrome box, double click it and you can tint like pics of old .
3. I havent mentioned the dodging and burning tools a digital photographers best friend ,You can create wonderful moods using these tools(check out the highlight's, midtones and shadows at the top of your tool bar).
You really need to experiment with these toools so I havent told you specific values,it's all case of what you find works for you.

I hope this helps you all ,
we will try and get some mini tut's sorted for you over the next few weeks. :D

Jacqui

[Karen]

Emma this is how I use these tools :)

Color Balance vs. Channel Mixer

I use colour balance when correcting/playing with the colours in a colour image ie toning down too much red by adding a little green, while the channel mixer is for working with black and white photos.

Brightness/Contrast vs. Level vs. Curves

I always start with levels when I open an image, colour or monochrome, just because I feel it has a finer touch (does that make sense) than curves and you can see the histogram, but I was told curves was more for using with monochrome than colour. Hardly ever touch brightness but quite often use contrast after converting colour to black and white to give it a little more punch.

Probably not much help in explaining what these tools do, but this is how I use them :)

[Karen]

Ohhh while I was so busily typing away UK lady has written a book :) which explains it so much better, just ignore my ramblings :)

[u.k. lady]

Lol Karenj
great minds were thinking alike ,though mine isnt so great .Once I get started I cant seem to stop my fingers run away pretty much like my mouth :D

No ramblings ,I love to see how each person uses photoshop ,each is slightly different.

My Dh worked for an adverstizing company awhile ago ,they used photoshop .They wanted to make a bow but couldnt figrue out how ,so they get toilet roll, make it in a bow, scan it in apply filters and effects and hey presto they use it in a national campaign add, here's me, trying to work my butt off in photoshop and they did it the easy way ,whatever works for you is my motto :D
remember you may find a use for another tool no one has thought up, there I go again fingers running away aaaaaaaaaaaaah :D

[Emma]

This sounds stupid, but I have a touch of tool loyatly. My idea is learn what I can, don't become overwhelmed by all the options and untapped power, and then with each new trick I learn I add to my toolbox for creating!

But for the tools I learn to use something that offers more control, I feel bad that I don't go back and use the one I used to use for the task. Like, "it must be there for a reason, maybe I wasn't using it correctly," or, "It must be the best for some things, maybe I just don't know what that is?"

So I feel with each new thing I learn I have to relearn the lesser tools to see their potential for something else. As if all PS tools are special like people :rolleyes:

Sounds stupid, but I can't "graduate" in PS, I can only add to my toolbox. If I take something out that was once in it, I feel guilty.

So I'm loathe to ditch Levels for Curves and Hue for Channel Mixer! Because if I do, then what would I now do with Levels and Hue?!!!!!

Yes, it does sound stupid, more so as I reread this... :cool:

Please someone else say they do this too!

[u.k. lady]

I think as you become more proficient in photoshop you do leave some things behind but not all the time you just use them less. All tools have there uses but as you learn more you become aware of how powerful this programme really is and I think the photoshop people do this purposely , so you can as a beginner not feel to overwhelmed ,your head would pop if they gave you all the info at once :eek: .
I know what you mean Emma as I learn more about photoshop I am excited but I dont like change so I hate leaving the friends I made behind See I think of the tools as friends, now that's sad ;) .
You are not alone in your thinking :D

[Lauren]

Im in complete agreement with what UK lady and Karen J have said before me- I think tho Emma you CANT "graduate" from photoshop - no matter how long you have worked with it - its always going to have untapped potential for you - and just because you get an effect one way and I might get it another way doesnt make my way wrong or your way wrong its simply that we chose different ways - like taking 2 different routes to the same destination.
I personally use levels when adjusting photos - for increasing the tonal range -rather than brightness - which just adjusts the entire tonal range upward but I do use the brightness slider all the time when creating elements - so you see one doesnt make the other redundant!!