Objectives: Students will use curves adjustment layers and the dodge and burn tools to achieve a high-contrast black and white photograph similar to ansel adams.
photoshop instructions...
file > open
Convert to black and white by adding a "black and white" adjustment layer
Ansel Adam's work is known for its dramatic contrast.
Increase your contrast by adding a curves adjustment layer.
Make a slight "S" curve to increase contrast.
Increase your contrast by adding a curves adjustment layer.
Make a slight "S" curve to increase contrast.
Final step is to sharpen your image.
Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask.
DON'T OVER DO IT! Avoid "Halos" or the appearance of white glowing edges around your details... this is not the look you want! A little bit goes a long way...
Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask.
DON'T OVER DO IT! Avoid "Halos" or the appearance of white glowing edges around your details... this is not the look you want! A little bit goes a long way...
If you have clouds in the sky....
In Adam's photographs, the clouds are sometimes the most dramatic part, with extreme contrast in values. If you have clouds in your photo, this is how you will intensify them... (if you do not, then skip these next few steps)
First, make a duplicate copy of your background layer by selecting it and then pressing "command J" on your keyboard.
First, make a duplicate copy of your background layer by selecting it and then pressing "command J" on your keyboard.
With the "background copy" selected, set the blend mode to "multiply"
Your clouds might look much better now, but maybe your landscape below is now too dark. To fix this... we will mask out the bottom and just leave the effect on the sky...
So first, add a layer mask to "background copy"
So first, add a layer mask to "background copy"
With your layer mask selected, use a black paintbrush to mask out or get rid of the affect from the bottom of your photograph, or wherever it looked too dark.
(I suggest using a larger brush, soft edges and 100% opacity)
(I suggest using a larger brush, soft edges and 100% opacity)
See the difference? The affect is the same in the sky, but we have taken the affect away from the bottom of the image.
To make the affect even more intense, select the "background copy" layer and hit command J to duplicate it.
If the affect is too intense, lower the opacity on "background copy 2"
If the affect is too intense, lower the opacity on "background copy 2"
to lighten or darken specific areas in your photo...
Click on the layer menu icon in the top right-hand corner of the layers panel.
Select "flatten image"
All of your layers should now be flattened into one.
Select "flatten image"
All of your layers should now be flattened into one.
Look around your photograph. Are there any areas that are a bit too dark? IF so, lighten them with the "dodge tool."
With the dodge tool selected, just paint the areas of your photo you would like lightened.
You can control just how light the areas become by adjusting your "Exposure" in the option bar above.
With the dodge tool selected, just paint the areas of your photo you would like lightened.
You can control just how light the areas become by adjusting your "Exposure" in the option bar above.
Look around your photograph. Are there any areas that are a bit too light? IF so, darken them with the "burn tool."
With the burn tool selected, just paint the areas of your photo you would like darkened.
You can control just how dark the areas become by adjusting your "Exposure" in the option bar above.
With the burn tool selected, just paint the areas of your photo you would like darkened.
You can control just how dark the areas become by adjusting your "Exposure" in the option bar above.
save your work!
When you are finished, save your work.
Save your image 2 times... once as a Photoshop document, once as a JPG.
Make the file name "Adams"
Save to your Pictures Folder.
See Schoology.com for upload instructions.
Save your image 2 times... once as a Photoshop document, once as a JPG.
Make the file name "Adams"
Save to your Pictures Folder.
See Schoology.com for upload instructions.
