HACKING TONAL SELECTIONS FOR PRECISION
> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ MARCH 2020[ 82 ]
Last issue, we looked at how to select tonal frequencies using the Select>Color Range feature in
Photoshop. This time around, we’re going to look at how you can use Gradient Map adjustment layers
to isolate specific tonal ranges, which you can then use to influence how you make a selection using
techniques such as luminance masks. This technique was first shown to me by Scott Valentine,
a fellow author here at Photoshop User.GRADIENT MAPS
You can find the Gradient Map option either by clicking
the Create New Adjustment Layer icon (half-black/half-
white circle) at the bottom of the Layers panel, or under the
Image>Adjustments menu. For this technique, we’re going
to focus on the adjustment layer approach, because we
want to be able to turn the layer’s visibility on and off as
we work.on the right side will be applied to the lightest tones. Here’s
an example using red on the far left and white on the far
white. You can see how red is being applied to the darkest
half of the image.So, what is a Gradient Map? Well, a Gradient Map isn’t
really a gradient at all; we just happen to use a gradient
editor to control the values it applies to the image. You can
edit a Gradient Map by clicking on the gradient preview
thumbnail in the Properties panel (Window>Properties) to
bring up the Gradient Editor. I’ve discussed this in previous
articles, but the simple version is this: Whatever value (color
or shade) you have at the left end of the gradient will be
applied to the darkest tones in your image, and the valueMARKHEAPS
The Perfect Selection
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