Don't Underestimate Very Basic Digital Darkroom Adjustments

Ya know, when Shadows/Highlights was introduced in Photoshop, I thought it was a sissy adjustment. That was before I tried it. Now, I use it quite often, because it really is quite cool - allowing you to control the shadows and highlights in a scene almost independently.

Here you see the effect. In the adjusted photo, taken at Woodstock in 1969, you can better see the faces of the hippies.

Tip:
You can actually use Shadows/Highlights like an adjustment layer:
- In the Layers panel, click on the Background Layer;
- Hold down the Command key;
- In the Layers panel, click on the Background Layer and scroll down to: Convert to Smart Object;
- Now, go to Image > Mode > Adjustments and select Shadows/Highlights;
- After you make your adjustment, you'll see that you can now use Shadow/Highlights like an Adjustment Layer.

Try this adjustment, you'll like it.

Hey, if you have any old photos, give them a scan at ScanCafe. You can win some free scans by entering my current ScanCafe photo contest.

Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. Any resemblance to anyone you may be familiar with is a coincidence. :-)