cjt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 351 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by cjt on Jun 14, 2021 15:48:24 GMT
My old eyes aren't that sharp anymore. They were never very color discrimination either. So I find the Enhance Menu items to be very helpful. I do have a question about using them. Is there a particular order to be followed, as in the menu, or doesn't matter what order?
Thanks,
cjt
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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 14, 2021 19:05:43 GMT
Hi cjt , Some workflow experts may have more useful things to say, but there are a few favorite Enhance Menu items that I use in pretty much the same order: Adjust Lighting | Shadows/Highlights... followed by Adjust Lighting | Brightness/Contrast...
I never use the Auto adjustments, preferring to experiment with the settings of each one.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 14, 2021 19:45:25 GMT
Is there a particular order to be followed, as in the menu, or doesn't matter what order? Hi cjt, The order to be followed depends on the nature of your image. However, there seems to be a consensus that sharpening should be the last step in your workflow. One thing to keep in mind is that some of those enhancements are destructive, i.e., they are applied directly on your image. Just make sure you are working on a duplicate layer. In this way, if the resulting effect is too strong, you can add a layer mask and hide the effect in a certain area. If needed, you can also reduce the Opacity. |
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cjt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 351
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by cjt on Jun 14, 2021 21:50:41 GMT
OK, thanks Tpgettys and Sepiana. If one keeps the History panel open then you can control (mostly) what is happening. These all affect the overall photo. If you need details, a selection, a small part of the photo, then you need to go the Layers section. So far, so good?? But, Sepiana, I see no way to tell what is a destructive enhancement?
Thanks again!
cjt
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 14, 2021 22:55:22 GMT
But, Sepiana, I see no way to tell what is a destructive enhancement? cjt, I see no way either. I may be wrong (and, if I am, someone please correct me) but I believe Colorize Photo is the only one which is not destructive. When you apply it, the Colorize Photo workspace will open up with 4 color options. Once you select the one you want and click on OK, Elements will take your image back to Expert Edit with the enhancement automatically applied on a duplicate layer.
NOTE: If you want to apply this enhancement in a selective way, turn on Manual and follow the instructions.  |
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Post by fotofrank on Jun 15, 2021 1:38:30 GMT
cjt,
The history panel show the actions/steps that you took adjust an image regardless of when you open or close it. If you delete the third history state out of 10 and then apply a new one - all other states would be removed.
If you are working on a single layer and "save" all of the changes are destructive. If you are working on a single layer and "save as" a psd or tiff all of the changes are destructive however your original jpg would be safe. Working on a duplicated layer is alway a good idea.
When you reopen that image (jpg, psd, tiff) all of the previous history is GONE.
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cjt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 351
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by cjt on Jun 15, 2021 13:39:23 GMT
Again, thanks for the help. I did find this in the PSE Elements manual. "You can experiment with each of the auto commands. If you don’t like the result of one, undo the command by choosing Edit > Undo, and try another command. You will rarely need to use more than one auto command to fix an image." I found this on page 261. I assume this implies destructive actions. So, only work on a copy if its a jpeg, save as a psd, and then you might be able to go back and change your photo.
cjt
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cjt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 351
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by cjt on Jun 16, 2021 12:59:08 GMT
One last thing. If the Layers panel shows "Background" and only "Background" when you use Enhance or some other things, you are in destructive mode. Mostly right?
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 16, 2021 16:02:17 GMT
cjt, If you have only the Background layer and you apply the enhancement via the Enhance menu, yes, this is a destructive technique. It's destructive because the enhancement will be "baked" into the Background layer. Instead of using the Enhance menu, you may want to use Adjustments layers. This is a non-destructive technique. Elements will create a layer for the enhancement. Adjustment and Fill Layers (Help file)
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Chris
Established Forum Member
Posts: 488
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Chris on Jun 16, 2021 19:38:44 GMT
One last thing. If the Layers panel shows "Background" and only "Background" when you use Enhance or some other things, you are in destructive mode. Mostly right? Yes it's destructive, because you are not working on a duplicate layer. If if you close the file and reopen you have no way to undo your changes unless you start to work on the original image from scratch. The Background is different from a regular layer because it does not have transparency information. Usually, I like to save all my edited files as psd files in case I wish to do further editing. When I export to jpg, I use a different file name so as not to erase my original file. Kind regards Chris |
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Post by BuckSkin on Jul 6, 2021 8:25:32 GMT
When I export to jpg, I use a different file name so as not to erase my original file. Kind regards Chris Just to add my 2-cents worth to this already helpful post, a "different file name" can be as simple as adding an underscore, hyphen, or single letter or digit to the end of the filename. |
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Post by cats4jan on Jul 6, 2021 10:20:54 GMT
I add a number or letter to the file name. I’m not consistent in which one I use. Heck, I’m not consistent about any of my filing. Guess that’s why I can’t find things. 😜
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