Adjustment Layers - Desaturated Look

You can give a deliberately desaturated look to images in Photoshop, while some color still remains. It is a question of using Adjustment Layers and Blend Modes. It can be done quite easily.

This is a free stock image.

The desaturated or muted color effect.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Adjustment Layers for tweaking complextion

If you want to tweak the complexion of the subject of an image without affecting the Background, the best way is to use Adjustments Layers. These are non-destructive layers which allow you to mask out certain portions and concentrate on others.

This is a free stock image.

The same image after applying the tweaks with Adjustment Layers.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Adjustment Layers and Blend If

Sometimes small tweaks to an image make all the difference. The best way to do this is to use Adjustment Layers. You can fine tune color and tone quite easily. To make sure that the effect is not overdone, use the Blend If in Blending Options for advanced blending.

This is a free stock image.

The same image with the tweaks applied.

The tutorial is here

Other tutorials are here

Spotlights to bring out details

Sometimes details are lost because of deep shadows in an image. Sometimes the image itself is too dark. You can correct it very quickly by turning on spotlights created in Photoshop. The process is easy and can be done in any version of Photoshop.

This is a very dark and shadowy image of Durga.

The same image after turning on the 'spotlights'.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Sketch and Halftone pattern

You can turn any image to a sketch in just a few steps and then us the Halftone Pattern for added effect in Photoshop.

This is the effect you can create.

The original images are below

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Textures for Special Effect

You can add a Texture to an image and use a couple of Adjustment Layers for a special effect with Photoshop in any image. It is not difficult and is quite easy to do.

This is a free stock image.

The same image after adding the effects.

The tutorial is here

Other Photoshop tutorials are here

Blown out Highlights

Nobody likes Highlights in an image to be blown, unless it is done deliberately  for effect. Some like this style which can be done in photoshop.

I have opened this free stock image.

The same image with the Highlights blown deliberately.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Lights and Darks

You can change the light and dark portions in an image to bring focus in Photoshop. This can be done in a variety of ways. It can be done in a couple of steps in this tutorial in any version of Photoshop.

This is a free stock image. Note the shadow beneath the model's eyes and her chin.

The same image with the shadows lightened and the background darkened a mite.

This is another free stock image.

The same image after following the same steps.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Luminosity Mask New Photoshop tutorial

Luminosity Masks in Photoshop help tweak light and dark areas in an image very subtly and gives get liberty in controlling lights and shadows, which you cannot do directly with Levels and Curves. Luminosity Masks allow you to control the lights and shadows without affecting other portions of the image. I will explain the process step by step so that you can follow easily.

I have opened this free stock image in Photoshop.

The same image with tweaks with Luminosity Masks.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Lomo Effect Quick Tutorial

The Lomo effect can be achieved with Photoshop. What is the Lomo Effect?  The name is inspired by the former state-run optics manufacturer LOMO PLC of St Petersburgh, Russia. It can be replicated in Photoshop.

This is a free stock photo.

The same image with the Lomo Effect. The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

If you have a photoshop question or would like a particular tutorial please email me at pradip.chowdhury@gmail.com

Focus with Adjustment Layer

Just as you can change the focus of light in an image with Adjustment Layers in Photohshop you can also change the hues with a Color Adjustment layer. It is not difficult to do and does not need special skills.

This is a free stock image which is a tad too bright.

The same image after using a couple of Adjustment Layers, including a Color Balance Adjustment.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here