Channel Mixer in Photoshop made easy

The Channel Mixer used as an Adjustment Layer is a very powerful tool to tinker with the lighting and contrast.   But the channels and sliders appear to be quite confusing. Using the sliders at random sometimes may create an effect by accident, which cannot be replicated on other images. It gets to be frustrating. This is not so much as creating an effect, but to know what makes the Channel tick. 

This is a free stock image processed only  with Channel Mixer. Levels and Curves have not been used. 

This is the original image.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Saturation and Gaussian Blue trick

Sometimes the photo you took at the beach or when you went camping turns out to be too bland. There are many ways to make colors pop in such images. This is perhaps is the easiest method and can be done in any version of Photoshop without any trouble.

This is an image after processing.

The original image.

Another processed image.

The original image.

The photoshop tutorial is here

Other tutorials are here

Adjustment Layers Vintage Look

You can create a vintage look in various ways in Photoshop. Here I will be using Adjustment Layers, a Group Layer, Layer Masks and Gradients. It can be done in most versions of Photoshop.

This is the look I will create.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Equalise in Photoshop

This is a tutorial on the Equalise function in Photoshop. You can use the Equalise command in the RGB mode or the Lab Mode.

This is a free stock image.

This is the same image with the Red Channel equalised.

For a fuller explanation please see the tutorial here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Cracked Texture effect

A Texture in Photoshop can give a different dimension to any image if you are looking for special effects. You can use any image and any Texture. You will find free high resolution textures on http://www.deviantart.com/
Textures look good when the image is in Black and White. A color image will do just as well. All you need to do is desaturate it.

This is the kind of effect you can create with Textures.
The tutorial is here

Gradient for Drama

You can add drama to an image with a simple Gradient in Photoshop. Sometimes the photo may look good, but lacks drama. Turn to photoshop for help. A Gradient can do wonders.

This is an original free stock image.

The same image after adding a Gradient and a Curves adjustment layer.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Single Row, Single Column Marquees in Photoshop

You must be familiar with the Rectangular and the Elliptical Marquees. There are two other Marquee Tools below them -- Single Row and Single Column Marquees. These are little used. This is a tutorial on their use. You can create a special effect with them.

This is the effect you can create.

This is the original free stock image.

You will find the tutorial here

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Single Column Marquee in Photoshop

The Single Column Marquee is not much used in Photoshop. It is quite likely that you use the Rectangular and Circular Marquees while not bothering about the other two. Both work in the same manner, I will show you how the Single Column Marquee works. You can create special effects with it.

This is an effect created with the Single Column Marquee and some other tools, which you will be able to do too.

This is the original free stock image.

The tutorial is here

Black and White and Cross Processing

You can turn an color  image into Black and White easily with Gradient map instead of pressing CTRL+SHIFT+U in Photoshop. You can also add a subtle tone to your B&W image.

This is the effect you can create.

This is the original free stock image.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here