The following steps demonstrate a few ways to select an item, and then modify it
without affecting the rest of the image. You can read more about selection tools in
the next chapter.- If your test image is still open, choose the Lasso tool and select a specific item
or area. Then choose Image, Adjust, Levels or Image, Adjust, Curves to
lighten or darken the selection, the equivalent of dodging or burning (see
Figure 10.10).
140 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
FIGURE 10.10
Adjusting levels
on a selected
area.- Press Ctrl+Alt+I to invert the selection.
- Choose Image, Adjust, Hue/Saturation, then move the saturation slider bars
all the way to the left to eliminate any color. - Click OK and then choose Edit, Undo or press Ctrl+Z (xZ for Mac). The
change will revert. - Press Select, Deselect or Ctrl+D (xD for Mac) to remove the selection.
Using the Magic Wand Tool
The Magic Wand is useful when selecting areas of similar colors (see Figure 10.11).
Set options for the Magic Wand in the Tool options bar. Experiment with the amount
of Tolerance, which defines the color range the Magic Wand will select.