post-production editing
Stage 2 - Local adjustments
There is a limit to how far you can edit a fi le without making adjustments to localized areas of the
image fi le. These localized adjustments are relatively subjective in nature (no two photographers
would necessarily make the same adjustments) and can control what, and how, the image
communicates with the viewer. Many of these changes could be used to restore the image to
how the photographer remembered the scene rather than how the camera and image sensor
interpreted the scene. These changes or modifi cations could also be used to change the mood
of the subject matter into something new or altogether different. As these changes are subjective
these adjustments should be non-destructive in nature. Each adjustment should be placed on its
own layer to enable the photographer to reinterpret or change the nature of this stage of the editing
process at a later date.
Step 4 - Local adjustment layers
Each adjustment layer is supported with a layer mask. Painting or dragging gradients into these
layer masks will restrict any adjustment to a localized area of the image. For those with a little more
time on their hands you may want to make a selection prior to creating an adjustment layer. In
this tutorial image deselecting the Contiguous box in the options bar enabled the Magic Wand to
select the sky between the branches of the trees. If you are using the Magic Wand Tool to create a
selection you will then need to feather this selection (soften the edge) by going to the Select menu
and choosing the ‘Feather’ command. A 1 or 2 pixel feather is usually enough to hide the saw-
toothed edge that could result from an unfeathered selection. An active selection present when an
adjustment layer is created will lead to the creation of a layer mask. The gamma slider can then
be moved to the right to darken the sky signifi cantly. The masked pixels remain unaffected by the
adjustment.
Note > For those with less time on their hands choose the ‘Gradient Tool’ and select the
Black, White gradient and the Linear option in the Options bar. Dragging a gradient from a
short distance below the horizon to a short distance above the horizon line will also restrict
the adjustment to the sky in a slightly less precise way (the tips of the trees and the distant
snow-capped mountains may be darkened also).