How to make the background dark in Photoshop. How to darken the background in Photoshop

Peripheral dimming or "vignette" used by masters to concentrate the viewer’s attention on the central part of the image. It is worth noting that vignettes can be not only dark, but also light and blurry.

In this lesson we will talk specifically about dark vignettes and learn how to create them in different ways.

For the lesson, a photo of a birch grove was selected and a copy of the original layer was made ( CTRL+J).

Method 1: Manual creation

As the name suggests, this method involves manually creating a vignette using a fill and a mask.

Opacity is selected individually for each work.

Method 2: Feathering the Selection

This is a method using shading of an oval area followed by filling. Don't forget that we are drawing the vignette on a new empty layer.

1. Select a tool "Oval area".

2. Create a selection in the center of the image.

3. This selection needs to be inverted, since we will have to fill the edges, not the center of the picture, with black. This is done with a keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+I.

4. Now press the keyboard shortcut SHIFT+F6, calling up the shading settings window. The radius value is selected individually; we can only say that it should be large.

5. Fill the selection with black ( SHIFT+F5, black color).

6. Deselect ( CTRL+D) and reduce the opacity of the vignette layer.

Method 3: Gaussian Blur

First, let's repeat the starting points (new layer, oval selection, invert). Fill the selection with black without shading and deselect it ( CTRL+D).

1. Go to the menu “Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur”.

2. Use the slider to adjust the blur of the vignette. Note that too large a radius may darken the center of the image. Don't forget that after blurring we will lower the opacity of the layer, so don't go too hard.

3. Reduce the opacity of the layer.

Method 4: Distortion Correction filter

This method can be called the simplest of all the above. However, it is not always applicable.

There is no need to create a new layer, since the actions are performed on a copy of the background.

1. Go to the menu “Filter – Distortion Correction”.

2. Go to the tab "Custom" and set up a vignette in the appropriate block.

This filter will only apply to the active layer.

Today you learned four ways to create dark edges (vignettes) in Photoshop. Choose the most convenient and suitable for a specific situation.

Traditionally, enhancing and weakening the brightness of areas of the image in photoprocesses is used to correct the tonal imbalance of the image,

caused by insufficient (“underexposure”) or excessive (“overexposure”) exposure of the negative area. This allows you to achieve good detail reproduction in both highlights and shadows. IN Adobe Photoshop tool Dodge(Dodge) allows you to lighten an area of ​​the image. It is represented in the tool palette as a pictram with the image of a special screen (mask), with which the photographer interrupts the flow of light, thereby reducing the exposure and reducing the darkness of the fragment. Tool Burn(Dimmer) - Darkens the image by changing the brightness of the pixels that make up the image. On the tool palette of his pictram there is an image of a clenched hand.

By default, both tools lighten (darken) the image by 50% and affect the midtones, but you can specify the amount of lightening (darkening) you need using the slider Exposure(Exposure) and the desired tonal exposure interval in the drop-down list Shadows/Midtones/Highlights(Shadows/Midtones/Highlights) options palette for the corresponding tool.

Lightening a fragment

Open the document FLAMINGO.jpg located on the attached disk (Fig. 10.7, A), let's lighten the surrounding background, although it is already quite light. Of course, it would be possible to select this area and apply various komas to it. But we will do this with the help of tools.

1. Select a tool Dodge(Dodge) from the Tools palette. In the properties pane, set the exposure value to 20% and set it to Range(Range) tone interval Highlights(Light colors). In the field Range(Range) In addition, possible values: Midtones(Mid tones) and Shadows(Shadows).

2. Zoom in on the fragment using the tool Zoom(Scale).

Brush(Brush) with which the tool will work Dodge(Clarifier). Try a 35 pixel brush with blurred edges (Fig. 10.7, b).

4. Parameter Exposure(Exposure) adjusts the exposure. For small processes weak impact, at high percentages - strong.

5. Each touch of the tool to an area of ​​the image will now brighten it by 20% in the highlights (midtones and shadows do not change). Using short brush strokes, lighten the background that surrounds the flamingo. It’s nice that the background brightens, but all the details remain. Save the document.

Of course, you can use this tool on other parts of the invention where you think there is not enough light. Also experiment with using different pitch intervals for the instrument. Dodge(Clarifier).

Rice. 10.7. Lightening the background with the tool Dodge

Darkening a fragment

Open the file OSTRICH.jpg (Fig. 10.8, A), located on the supplied disc. Using a tool Burn(Dimmer) enhance the shadows on the parts of the image that you like.

1. Select a tool Burn(Dimmer) from the Tools palette. The properties palette of this tool is absolutely similar to the tool palette Dodge(Clarifier). Set Exposure to 20% and Tone Spacing Shadows(Shadows).

2. Enlarge the correction area using the tool Zoom(Scale).

3. Select suitable size brushes from the field Brush(Brush) - for example, 35 pixels with blurred edges.

4. Make a series of “strokes” in the neck and body of the ostrich. The shadows became deeper and more saturated, the ostrich’s body became more expressive (Fig. 10.8, b).

You've probably already noticed that a couple of tools Dodge/Burn(Dodge/Fade) is essentially equivalent to the tone correction command Levels(Levels) with the only difference that it works not for the entire image, but for a selected area.

Rice. 10.8.A- original image; b- after darkening

Source: Komolova, N.V., Adobe Photoshop CS5 for everyone / N.V. Komolova, E.S. Yakovleva. - St. Petersburg: BHV-Petersburg, 2011. - 624 p.: ill. + CD-ROM - (In original)

Darkening photo effect in Photoshop.

In this tutorial you will learn how to darken photos in Photoshop using adjustment layers and various filters. It's pretty easy if you follow this tutorial. You can use this photo effect to turn your photos into a work of art. The effect can be applied to portraits or regular photographs. This tutorial is all about setting up adjustment layers correctly.

To darken the image, you must reduce the brightness, but at the same time you must monitor the contrast so as not to spoil the final result of the work.

The color tone is also very important aspect in this work, therefore, we will set the desired color, saturation, and add various photo filters.

In this tutorial I'll show you how to darken a photo and get a photo effect with less vibrant colors. You can also notice that the idea of ​​this photo effect is to darken the background and highlight the desired objects. This photo effect will add ideas to the photographer when working with portraits or regular photographs. I tried to show the effect that Brooke Shaden uses in his photographs from the series "Frozen in Water", which you can see by following the link. A mixture between dark and light colors adds mystery to the image.

Here you can see the before and after results. Let's notice how brightness decreases, contrast increases, color tones and saturation change. Please note that you should choose settings depending on the type of photo you are processing.

First, you must select the photo you will be altering. I chose this image because there is water and the elements that are reflected in it. There are also yellow tones and other things that dominate here, which I will explain later.

Name the first layer “Original Image” so that we can refer to this image in subsequent steps. Let's start with a simple color adjustment. Since our photo has predominantly yellow/orange color tones, we need to change that.

Create a new adjustment layer (Button at the bottom of the layers palette). Select Color Balance with the following settings:

Here you can see photos before and after the adjustment layer. We increased the cyan, blue and magenta colors. Don't forget that these settings are specific to this image, you should choose the settings specifically for your photo. Therefore, layer settings may vary!

Create a new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. We do this to reduce saturation to give the image neutral colors. Again, you may need other values.

The most important layer is Brightness/Contrast. Let's add this layer in this step. We simply darken the image by decreasing the brightness, and at the same time increasing the contrast of the image.

Even though this layer is required, the settings may vary from one image to another. Therefore, it is important to configure this layer correctly. Remember that as you work, you can always go back to previous layers and correct what is needed.

We have already obtained quite good results. But we need to get rid of the light area on the left top corner. How to do this? Actually, there are several ways. You can use the Burn tool and simply darken this area in the original image, or you can choose another method that is more convenient for you.

I chose the next one.

Create an "Original Image" layer on top and name it "Darken". Select the Brush tool (Soft, size 70 px, opacity 100%) and simply paint over the light area. For this, choose some dark color, #4c3e31 is most suitable here.

Here we see the before and after results. Your image may not need this step, but you should always know how to deal with unexpected details.

Create a new layer on top of all layers. Fill it with white and change the Fill to 0%. Add a Gradient overlay to this layer. I used opacity gradients from black (100%) to 0%. Select a radial gradient, opacity 60%, blending mode – Hard light.

You can drag the gradient with the Move tool to see the difference.

So, the final touch.

Create a new layer and name it "Highlights". Change the blending mode to Overlay, select the Brush tool (Soft, size 40 px, opacity 50%) and simply paint over the girl and her reflection in the water with this brush. Change the brush size and opacity in certain places to make the effect more realistic. You should get a similar result.

If you want, you can add a Violet filter (20%) to make the result resemble the original image.

So, in a few steps in Photoshop, we changed our image. Add different colors and other effects. It all depends on your imagination. I hope you enjoyed the lesson.

Link to the original lesson.

Tools Clarifier (Dodge Tool), Dimmer (Born Tool) And Sponge Tool refer to shading tools, as they serve to lighten or darken individual areas of the image. The purpose of these tools is similar to those from the arsenal of traditional photography, with the help of which exposure errors are corrected. Using them, you can achieve lightening or darkening, as well as influence color saturation individual parts images.

Working with these tools is both simple and complex at the same time. On the one hand, in order to brighten any area, you need to use the Lighten tool on this area accordingly. At the same time, it is important not to overexpose the dimmer, otherwise the image will be spoiled, so to speak, underexposed, or in the case of working with the Burn tool, overexposed.

Toolbar.

Tools Clarifier (Dodge Tool), Dimmer (Born Tool) And Sponge Tool on the toolbar are combined into one group. In order to select the desired tool, you need to right-click on the tool icon and select the desired tool from the menu that opens. You can also activate the tool using a hotkey ABOUT(Latin).

Description of tools.

1. Tool Clarifier (Dodge Tool) designed to brighten individual areas of the image. The brightener is well suited for correcting photographs that have exposure defects. Its use gives good results, since the Brightener analyzes the entire set of image brightnesses and selects the most appropriate correction option. In fact, the tool allows you to produce a local increase in brightness in the area to which it was applied.

2. Tool Dimmer (Born Tool) The action is completely opposite to the Brightener and is intended to locally reduce the brightness in the area to which the tool was applied.

3. Tool Sponge Tool allows you to simultaneously change the saturation and contrast of the image with minimal costs effort.

Tool settings panel.

Tools Clarifier (Dodge Tool) And Dimmer (Born Tool) have similar settings. They have access to settings such as brush options, selection of tool areas, exposure options, and an airbrush selection button.

1 . Brush

2 . Range. This parameter is intended to set the tool mode. In mode Midtones dark and light pixels are processed with equal intensity. In mode Shadows Dark pixels of the image are processed more strongly. In mode Highlights Light pixels are processed more intensively.

3 . Exposure. This parameter determines the degree of influence of the tool on the selected area of ​​the image. The higher the setting, the sharper and more noticeable the areas will be lightened and darkened. Changes from 0% to 100%.

It is very important to set the impact force correctly. Many people, when experimenting with Photoshop, try the Dodge and Burn tools at 100%. And by darkening the image, you get black “holes,” and by brightening it, you get complete overexposure. Of course, having received such a result, they no longer return to this tool. But the dodging and burning tools are subtle tools. If you are working on shadows or highlights, try an impact strength of 7-10%, and if with neutral areas - 10-20%. For each case, the force of influence is selected separately, but after working a little with this tool, you will begin to feel what degree of influence is needed in each specific case.

4 . Airbrush. The last option allows you to enable or disable airbrush mode. When disabled, the tool acts like the Brush tool, that is, when the mouse cursor stops moving, the tool stops working, even if the mouse button is pressed. When you turn on the airbrush mode, the tool operates according to the principle of the Airbrush tool, that is, the tool has its effect as long as the left mouse button is pressed, regardless of whether the cursor is moving or not.

Tool settings panel Sponge Tool has the following form:

1 . Brush. This parameter determines the settings for the shape, size and hardness of the tool brush.

2 . Mode. This parameter allows you to switch between tool operating modes. When working with a tool Sponge Tool in mode Desaturate the saturation of the original colors of the image decreases, and when working in V mode increase saturation (Saturate)- increases.

3 . Pressure (Flow). The parameter is responsible for the force of influence of the tool. Changes from 0% to 100%.

4 . Airbrush. When the button is pressed, the tool starts working in spray mode.

So, we looked at three shading tools and got acquainted with their properties and settings. To summarize, it’s worth saying that toning tools are most suitable in cases where you need to make subtle corrections, depict shadows or enhance highlights. To achieve improved visual quality graphic information, use these remedies in small doses.

Improve your landscape photography skills by using a variety of advanced dodging and burning techniques to fine-tune the light and shade of your photos.

When it comes to making final adjustments to landscape photos, dodging and burning becomes an art form in itself. This process was an integral part of photography for many years, but nowadays adjusting light and shadow is much easier than it was ever done in a special dark room.

Here we will look at several techniques. However, this is not a case where simply knowing how to selectively adjust brightness is enough: it is much more important to determine which area of ​​​​the photo needs processing.

When looking at a photograph, the eyes first focus on the lighter areas. We need to take this into account when working. Imagine your eyes wandering around the image: emphasize the main lines and draw your eyes to the desired subject.

1. Separate the earth and sky

Select the sky using the tool Quick selection(Quick Selection Tool), then click Ctrl+J to copy the area to a new layer. Create an adjustment layer Levels(Levels). Set its blend mode Multiplication(Multiply), darkening the photo. Select the layer mask and click Ctrl + I to invert it.

2. Darken the sky

Press and hold the key Ctrl based on the thumbnail of the sky copy layer. Click on the layer mask Levels(Layers). Select a tool Brush(Brush Tool). Set white as the foreground color and the Opacity(Opacity) reduce to 20% . Sketch the areas of the sky you want to darken. When ready, click Ctrl+D, deselecting it.

3. Raise the Foreground

Create a new adjustment layer Levels(Layers). Set its blending mode to Screen(Screen) to brighten the image. Click on the sky layer while holding down the key Ctrl and then go to menu Select > Invert(Select > Inverse). Invert the mask of the new Levels layer and use a white brush to paint over the foreground areas that need to be brightened. When you're done, reset the selection.

04. Highlight the stones

Click Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E, creating a merged layer. Right click on the new layer and select Convert to Smart Object(Convert to Smart Object). Go to menu Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask(Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask). Set the following parameter values: Effect(Amount) - 120 , Radius(Radius) - 45 , Isohelium(Threshold) - 4 , adding clarity to the stones. Invert the layer mask that appears and paint the stones white.

5. Attract the eye

Press and hold the key Alt by the new layer icon at the bottom of the panel Layers(Layers Panel). In the layer creation window, set Mode(Mode) on Overlap(Overlay), then check the box next to " Fill..." (Fill with…) and click OK. Install Opacity(Opacity) brushes on 10% . Paint with white to lighten areas, black to darken; use this layer to draw attention to the subject.

6. Highlights and shadows

Click Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E to create another merged layer. Select a tool Clarifier(Dodge Tool), install Exhibition(Exposure) - 10% , A Range(Range) - Backlight(Highlights). Paint over the areas you want to highlight. Use the tool Dimmer(Burn Tool) with By exposure(Exposure) - 10% And Range(Range) - Shadows(Shadows) to add depth to the shadows.