Tags
Infrared, Invert, photography, Photoshop CS6, postaday, Tree Tops, Tutorial
Over the weekend I received a request from Jim. He wanted to know if I could help him with a couple of images. He had taken some of lots of birds in tree tops. He was thinking black and white, and maybe infrared. I have never does this before, but I was up for a challenge. I had an idea of what I could do, looked up some tutorials, but in the end did it my own way.
I started by opening the image up in Camera Raw, I like the different changes you can make in there.
Hopefully you can see the changes I made there. I have lightened it up a lot, and I tried to lighten the shadows as much as possible.
The image was opened in the Photoshop CS6 and saved, image 1.
The next step was to click on the Invert Adjustment Layer, it will do this to the image. This was saved as well, image 2.
Both versions were opened, then image 2 was selected, copied (Ctrl A, Ctrl C) and then pasted (Ctrl V) on top of the image 1.
The image was blended with Multiply, that is just above the layers there on the right. I also reduced the opacity of the inverted layer, but not by much.
A Levels adjustment layer was opened and the image lightened a bit. The only problem was the tree ended up too light.
To correct this, a Curves Adjustment Layer was opened, and I darkened the tree, and lightened the sky, look at the curve, I have put arrows where I adjusted it.
I then clicked on the Channel Mixer Layer, there I ticked the Monochrome box, and selected the Black & White Infrared in the pull down menu that has Custom written on it.
I have put some red dots on the image because I wasn’t completely happy with how those areas were.
I used the Content Aware tool to make those areas better. It took a few attempts.
I also added a little gradient to the edges. I am not sure if this is totally what Jim wanted, but it is hard sometimes trying to interpret what someone else wants.
I did another one as well.
This one came out much better, and I like the atmosphere of it. I hope you like it too Jim.
It was an interesting process. I learned some new things about Photoshop, which is always a bonus. I have had a request for a tutorial on Gradients, so I might incorporate that into next weeks tutorial.
opreach said:
How cool! I want to try this one!! Thanks.
Leanne Cole said:
Have a go opreach, it is pretty easy. Thanks
Jennifer Adams Teasley said:
Fantastic! I love infrared! I hear you can have your camera converted to infrared only, but will be unable to do any other types of shooting. I need to invest in a good photo program.
Leanne Cole said:
I couldn’t imagine converting my camera just for that. I have never done infrared really, I like the look of it, but it isn’t something that I would seriously do.
John said:
Much improved, well done!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you John.
bulldogsturf said:
Wow how impressive…
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Rob.
sheplayswithfire said:
lovely post!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you sheplayswithfire
tchistorygal said:
Very coo, Leanne. Lots of steps, but the result is worth it. I love the last picture. Marsha
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks Marsha, wasn’t too bad, glad you liked it, thanks.
tchistorygal said:
melgallegos said:
cool
thanks for this.
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks melgallegos, you’re welcome.
the eternal traveller said:
The finished product is great. You are clever! Can you tell me how you do the red writing on your photos? I wanted to do it on Justin Beaver’s post this week but I couldn’t work out how to.
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks Carol, of course I can, I just choose the brush, change the size to what you want, then pick a colour, and draw. I hope that makes sense. YOu can do it with the drawing tool as well.
the eternal traveller said:
I’m using Picasa, so I will do some experimenting.
Leanne Cole said:
should be pretty much the same Carol
the eternal traveller said:
I’ll let you know!
Where's Wiwi? said:
Wow well done!!! I need to get more adventurous!
Leanne Cole said:
Being adventurous can be a lot of fun. Thank you Wiwi.
Andrew said:
Very impressive! Could you have done this in Silver Efex, starting with a preset?
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks Andrew, I tried doing it in Silver Efex, but it didn’t seem to work as well. My first thought was to try it.
nailnabillazain said:
waw amazing
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you nailnabillazain
nailnabillazain said:
ur welcome
gardenfreshtomatoes said:
Never would have thought of that – thanks to Jim, for asking; and YOU for taking on the challenge!
Leanne Cole said:
Thanks Marie, though I am not sure he liked them, I don’t think they turned out the way he was hoping, that happens. I did enjoy the challenge though.
kelihasablog said:
This is just beautiful Leanne!!! As always, I love your tutorials and hope to be able to try to do some myself if I can ever find time… LOL This just looks great!
Leanne Cole said:
Yes Keli, you will have to find some time one day. LOL
Thank you. I love your comments
Nikitaland said:
Love the infrared, never thought of doing that to a photo before! Thanks for inspiring me today!
Leanne Cole said:
Me neither, it was fun to have a challenge, I do like those.
Susanne Haun said:
Thank you for sharing this informations with us. I will try it — in the new year! This year I have a lot of work doing.
Leanne Cole said:
YOu have been doing lots of work, I’ve seen it, as long as you like the information, that’s all that really matters. Thank you Susanne.
viveka said:
Thanks for taking our hand through this .. the final result is fantastic with that extra tree.
Leanne Cole said:
You are very welcome viveka, it was a lot of fun doing this, I liked the challenge, thanks.
viveka said:
You’re a fantastic support to us .. happy amateurs too. *smile
David said:
I liked the inverted adjustment layer quite a bit – it has that “otherworldly” appearance. Beautiful work.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you David, we used to do those in the darkroom. They are strange and weird, can look wonderful.
glmorrison said:
Reblogged this on Art Zines and commented:
Brilliant advice and tutorials. Check out the photography as well. A special shout out and thank you to artists who teach, share techniques, like these.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you glmorrison
Noeline Smith said:
This seems so obvious it has to be a dumb question
– why not use the infrared filter provided by PS? …..
Leanne Cole said:
There isn’t one Noeline, but there is one the channel mixer adjustment layer, but because of the type of trees it didn’t work very well, doing the inversion and then blending the layers, then doing the adjustment thing seemed to work better, got a better result. Believe me, I go for easy all the time. haha.
Noeline Smith said:
Hmmm – they’ve obviously removed it since PS5. As I said, so obvious it had to be dumb
plaridel said:
thanks for sharing.
Leanne Cole said:
You’re welcome plaridel
Bonnie Michelle said:
You are so amazing! I love watching your talent and abilities grow! I must also add what you do is so above me all I can do is “like” and smile!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you Bonnie, it is a lot of fun and I do enjoy trying things out, I still have a long to go, but I am enjoying the ride. I’m glad you like what I am going.
oneowner said:
Interesting technique. I will definitely have to give this a try. Thanks.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you oneowner, hopefully you can follow it.
happyfeetcoaching said:
I love the white on black.
Leanne Cole said:
The inverted one, it is pretty cool, thanks
dianeroark said:
I wish I had lots more time to spend on your blog. I really learn so much! I also love these pictures you just improved.
I lost my wordpress.com followers when I switched web host this week. If you were following me and did not get the updated post today, please follow me again. I would be grateful! Thanks and You really do have an encouraging blog!Many Blessings!! Diane Roark http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com
I enjoy getting your e-mail updates and learning about taking better pictures. Blessings, Diane Roark
Leanne Cole said:
What a lovely thing to say Diane. I know the feeling.
I have been reluctant to do that for the same reason, I do like the workpress community. Good luck with the new site, I will see about popping in from time to time.
spree said:
Such a wonderful outcome! You so inspire, Leanne!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you spree, that is great to hear.
Another Thousand Words said:
Beautifully done, Leanne…what a great experience! Experimentation CAN be fun, can’t it, not just hard work!?
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you 1000, it was. Yes, it can be, it is also challenging, I do like a good challenge.
Another Thousand Words said:
;>) !!!
twoscamps said:
Excellent tutorial! Thanks.
Leanne Cole said:
That’s great to hear, thank you twoscamps
wingedpaths said:
I’ve never tried infrared before, but I love how these images turned out. Now I’ll have to tray it myself! =)
dirt, lace, and love said:
Amazing!! You’re truly very talented!
wannabephotographer87 said:
Oh wow! That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing that with us