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[ 97 ]Step One: The first challenge is
to identify the luminosity range we
want to address. Since the gradient
bar in a Gradient Map represents
the full range of luminosity values
(black on the left, white on the
right), we need to be strategic
about placing our gradient color
stops so that they affect the range
of shadows to highlights only on
the skin.
Add a Threshold adjustment
layer (Layer>New Adjustment Layer>
Threshold) above your portrait
layer. In the Properties panel (Win-
dow>Properties), drag the Thresh-
old slider to the left just until the
darkest areas of skin are shown in
black. Choose the Color Sampler
tool (nested below the Eyedropper
tool [I] in the Toolbar), and in the
Options Bar, set the Sample Size
to 5 by 5 Average. On the canvas,
c lick in the middle of the black
area to place a color sample. This
will be used to identify the shadow
area for our gradient color.Step Two: Back in the Properties
panel, drag the slider to the right
until just the highlights are still vis-
ible in white. Place another color
sample in this area.
A quick note on placement of
the color samples: You’re select-
ing based on luminosity alone, and
many colors may have the same
luminosity value. When you place
the sampler, you may be over a
region of skin that you’ll eventu-
ally correct. That’s okay! You can
choose from any other location
when we get to that point. The
marker is simply a landmark for
value (luminosity), and it’s easy to
change the color later on.
Highlights in the Threshold view with Color Sampler #2
Shadows in the Threshold view with Color Sampler #1